Throwback Duel: AI vs Kobe

by Dal on Jan.30, 2010, under News

It was a throwback duel between Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant and the fans got what they paid to see. Too bad it was just like in the 2001 NBA finals, where Bryant’s Lakers topped Allen Iverson’s 76ers.

Allen Iverson had a season high 23 points, while Bryant roused the 20,000 fans who came to jeer him as much as they did to root on the 76ers, scoring 24 points to lead Los Angeles to a 99-91 win over Philadelphia on Friday night.

Iverson and Bryant are responsible for Philadelphia’s only two sellouts this season. Iverson’s first game back in Philadelphia drew 20,664, and Bryant helped draw 20,809 on Friday.

Iverson showed a glimpse of his former MVP self when he crossed-over Derek Fisher(notes) and tossed up a running bank shot as his 6-foot frame slammed onto the unforgiving court. He sank the free throw to complete the three-point play that was vintage Iverson and make it 68-63.

Bryant made the call to guard Iverson at the end of the quarter for a brief 1-on-1 matchup between 3 and 24.

“He’s a scorer, he and I both,” Bryant said. “That’s what we do. We can score when we’re 70 years old.”

“I just got it going a little bit,” Iverson said.

Iverson scored 15 points on 6 for 7 shooting in the third to top Bryant’s 5 of 7, 14-point quarter. Iverson and Bryant each made 10 baskets in the game from the floor.

“That’s what Allen can do,” Phil Jackson said. “I don’t know if he can do it for 48, but he can still do that.”

Iverson insisted he was so focused on trying to win the game, he didn’t get caught up trying to outshine Bryant. He also refused to draw parallels between his career with Bryant’s.

“It’s evident that he is one of the best ever to do it,” Iverson said. “He goes out there night in and night out and plays the same way every night.”

:2001 Finals, Duel, Kobe vs AI, lakers

7 Comments for this entry

J
January 30th, 2010 on 7:52 am
He can still do it !!! If couach jordan wants offense, Allen is da way. Go AI Go !!!!!

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John
January 30th, 2010 on 10:48 pm
Allen Iverson is a top 5 player and played better than Kobe that game

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JOSEPH from INGLEWOOD,CALIFORNIA
January 31st, 2010 on 12:05 am
GREAT GAME!ALLEN IVERSON

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A.I.9
January 31st, 2010 on 6:32 am
i thank if sixers want to win games allen has to take more shots this was tha perfect game to show he has to average a perfect 25 for them to make the playoffs….oh yea allen we love you dawg he brought tha hood to tha NBA and i wish people would stop bringin up my dude age like its a injury you see what he did to kobe i was waitin on you to cross kobe at tha top of the key like you did jordan lol

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c.y.jInG
January 31st, 2010 on 9:15 pm
Iverson always give me energizing for playing basketball, since 2000. You are the best, and are different from you and others. I love you games, every game, even when you are losing, and you also teach the way to play basketball，your spirit gives me momentum, you means a lot to me. Support you always, I love Iverson….fighting with you….

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Unknown
February 2nd, 2010 on 10:54 am
Why are yall dooging kobe he can play just as good as AI if better, He can prolly take AI any day, so how bout yall give him credit

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A.I.9
February 2nd, 2010 on 2:57 pm
first off Kobe is tha best in league ill admit so im not dooging him, tha last couple of years iverson juss been underated and that laker game wasnt ay suprise to what he can do.

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