Editor's note: This series of articles originally ran in 2014, when the Sixers retired Allen Iverson's number.
May 16, 2001
The spring of 2001 was a magical time for the Sixers. They finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference. They were poised to make a run at the defending world champion Lakers, provided they didn’t slip up in the three series leading up to LA. And it seemed every time we turned around someone in the organization was being honored.
That was the case on May 16, 2001. Prior to Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Raptors, the NBA awarded Allen Iverson the league’s Most Valuable Player award. He was deserving of the honor.
Iverson averaged a league-high 31.1 points, as well as a league-high 2.5 steals in 2001.
He stood at center court that night, held his trophy up over his one shoulder and slowly did a 360-degree turn, soaking in the applause and adoration that a packed house gave him.
Little did we know that pre-tip moment was a prelude to greater drama that revealed itself in the game that followed.
NBA
Iverson scored 52 points shooting 21 for 32, including 8 for 14 from behind the arc. Amazingly Iverson, who averaged 10 free-throw attempts during the season, had just two foul shots vs. Toronto -- made them both.
The Sixers crushed Toronto, 121-88, taking a 3-2 series lead. It was the second 50-point performance Iverson had during that series. He dropped 54 points in Game 2 one week earlier.
There have been 27 postseason performances where a player has scored 50 or more points. Michael Jordan has the most with eight. Iverson is second with three. Jerry West has two and 14 other players scored 50 or more once in a playoff game.