A Look Back at the 2001 NBA Finals Stats

A look back at the 2001 NBA Finals stats reveals some interesting patterns. For example, the leading scorer in the series was Shaquille O’Neal, who averaged 28.7 points per game

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Introduction

It was the matchup everyone wanted to see. The Los Angeles Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Head Coach Phil Jackson against the Philadelphia 76ers, with Allen Iverson Dikembe Mutombo and head coach Larry Brown The two teams had met in the NBA Finals the previous year, with the Lakers coming out on top. But this time, things would be different.

The Sixers took Game 1 in Los Angeles convincingly beating the Lakers 120-86. It was a sign of things to come, as the Sixers would go on to win the next three games and take a 3-1 lead in the series. The Lakers would win Game 5 in Los Angeles but then lose Game 6 back in Philadelphia. The Sixers were your NBA champions

For Shaq and Kobe, it was a disappointing end to what had been a dominant season. They had won their third straight NBA Championship the year before and were looking to become the first team since the Boston Celtics in the 1980s to win four straight titles. But they were unable to get past a tough Sixers team that was led by Iverson’s scoring (26.8 points per game) and Mutombo’s defense (4.5 blocks per game).

Here is a look at some of the statistics from that Finals series:

Game 1

In Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Lakers were led by Shaquille O’Neal, who had 27 points and 18 rebounds, while Kobe Bryant added 23 points. The 76ers were led by Allen Iverson who had 37 points and 5 assists. The Lakers won the game 107-101.

Game 2

The 2001 NBA Finals was the championship round of the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s 2000-01 season. The Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers took on the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers for the championship, with the Lakers holding home court advantage The Lakers won the series 4 games to 1.

Game 3

In Game 3 of the 2001 NBA Finals the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 120-118 in overtime. Kobe Bryant scored 28 points for the Lakers, while Allen Iverson led the 76ers with 52 points.

Game 4

In Game 4, the Shaq-Kobe Lakers came out on top over the Allen Iverson Sixers in a close game 96-91. This was the first time in Finals history that the home team won every game. Iverson had a great game scoring 44 points on 19-of-31 shooting, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Lakers. Kobe struggled from the field, going 6-of-20, but he made up for it by going 12-of-12 from the Free Throw Line Shaq had a solid game with 28 points and 12 rebounds.

Game 5

In one of the most controversial endings in NBA history the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in game 5 of the NBA Finals With just seconds remaining in the game and the score tied at 89, Derek Fisher of the Lakers hits a jumper to give his team a 91-89 lead. The Sixers then have a chance to tie the game with a last second shot, but Allen Iverson’s attempt is partially blocked by Shaquille O’Neal and the Lakers come away with the victory.

The win gives the Lakers a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, but controversy marred the ending as many felt that O’Neal fouled Iverson on the final play. The officials reviewed the play but did not call a foul and the Lakers held on for the win.

Game 6

In Game 6 of the 2001 NBA Finals the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers. The game was played on June 12, 2001, at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lakers were victorious, winning by a score of 108-96. This win gave them their third consecutive NBA Championship and their 11th overall. Kobe Bryant was named Finals MVP for his performance throughout the series.

The Lakers were led by Shaquille O’Neal, who had 28 points and 12 rebounds. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points and Derek Fisher added 15. The Sixers were led by Allen Iverson who had 22 points and 7 assists. Dikembe Mutombo had 16 points and 15 rebounds and Tyrone Hill added 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

This was a tightly contested game throughout, with neither team leading by more than 7 points at any time. The game was tied at halftime and the Lakers only led by 3 points going into the fourth quarter However, they outscored the Sixers 27-19 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Aftermath

In the 2001 NBA Finals the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in five games. The Lakers were led by Shaquille O’Neal, who averaged 28.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game and Kobe Bryant who averaged 21.0 points per game Other key contributors for the Lakers included Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, and Horace Grant. The Sixers were led by Allen Iverson who averaged 28.3 points and 4.5 assists per game Other key contributors for the Sixers included Dikembe Mutombo, Tyrone Hill, George Lynch and Jumaine Jones.

The 2001 NBA Finals was a rematch of the 2000 NBA Finals which the Lakers had won in five games. In the 2001 Finals, the Lakers became the first team in NBA history to win three consecutive championships since winning four straight titles from 1949 to 1952.

What If?

It was the matchup everyone wanted to see. The two best teams in the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers, were set to face off in the Finals. The Lakers were led by Shaquille O’Neal, the dominant center who had just won MVP honors, and Kobe Bryant the dynamic young star who was slowly becoming one of the league’s best players. The 76ers were led by Allen Iverson the small but incredibly quick guard who had just won MVP honors, and Dikembe Mutombo, the tall and lanky center who was a defensive powerhouse.

The series did not disappoint. It was a back-and-forth affair, with each team winning two games apiece. Then, in Game 5, Shaq fouled out and had to watch from the bench as Kobe took over. He scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Lakers to a victory. In Game 6, with the series tied at three games apiece, it was Dikembe Mutombo’s turn to shine. He had 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the 76ers to a victory and force a Game 7.

In the final game of the series, it was Shaq who would have his redemption. He scored 41 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as he led the Lakers to their second straight NBA title Kobe Bryant was named Finals MVP but it was Shaq who proved that he was still the best player in the world.

What if… Shaq had not fouled out in Game 5?
What if… Dikembe Mutombo had not been able to play in Game 7?
What if… Kobe Bryant had not been able to step up in Games 5 and 6?

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2001 NBA Finals was a close fought battle between two great teams. The Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious, but it was a close series. The Lakers won the first three games, but the Philly Sixers won the next three games to force a game seven. In that final game, the Lakers won by a score of 108-96.