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On guard Bryant, Iverson ready for Finals showdown
Updated: Wednesday June 06, 2001 8:21 AM
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson have both done a lot of growing up over the course of their short careers. Thanks in great part to their efforts, the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers have made it to the NBA Finals. It hasn't been a one-man show on either side, not with the likes of Shaquille O'Neal and Dikembe Mutombo minding the middle for the respective teams and several others making significant contributions. That being said, Bryant and Iverson represent the marquee matchup -- at least for excitement. Iverson is a blur as he races downcourt and was seldom better than Sunday night, when he scored 44 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against Milwaukee, hitting from every possible angle. Bryant is a taller version, able to free himself for a clean shot just about any time he wants, although he's taken to passing more these days. Iverson and 76ers head coach Larry Brown's relationship was so turbulent that team owner Pat Croce admitted to nearly trading his star.
Bryant and O'Neal took their simmering feud public in January, and as recently as March, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson questioned Bryant's commitment to the team. Bryant made a name for himself defensively by holding Iverson scoreless in the second half of a nationally televised game in Philadelphia during the 1999-2000 season, but isn't certain he'll be guarding Iverson at the outset of Game 1 of the Finals on Wednesday night. "We'll use him both in disrupting play and playing Iverson," Jackson said Monday. "He'll have both responsibilities over the course of the series." Bryant smiled when asked about the game in Philadelphia 15 1/2 months ago, saying: "I've been playing defense all year long, busting my butt. Nobody wanted to notice it. I got very fortunate that day, opened a few eyes. He just wasn't hitting his shot." Bryant wound up being named to the NBA's All-Defense team. Derek Fisher, who joins Bryant in the Lakers' backcourt, said he expects to be guarding Iverson to start the series. "Because of Eric's ankle situation, they've been going with a different lineup," Fisher said, referring to 76ers guard Eric Snow, a former starter who is coming off the bench now, being replaced by a taller Aaron McKie. "It's been effective for them," Fisher said. "Now the matchups are a little different." Bryant said the Lakers' focus is winning, not trying to stop Iverson. "Allen's always been a great scorer," Bryant said. "I think we play Allen pretty well." That wasn't the case Feb. 14, when Iverson scored 40 points in a 112-97 Philadelphia victory. It was the case Dec. 5, when Iverson scored 27 points, but many came after the Lakers had wrapped up a 96-85 triumph. Of course, the Lakers weren't playing nearly as well at the time of either game as they are now, especially at the defensive end. And as Jackson has often said: "Defense wins championships." Lakers forward Rick Fox remembers the game in Philadelphia. "Kobe was trying to push through his injuries," Fox recalled. "Defense, I don't think, was on his mind at that time. I know he struggled physically that game because he was in the training room with me. I know he's looking forward to the challenge again." As quick as Iverson is, Bryant has shown he can stay with him as well as anyone. And at 6-foot-7, he's several inches taller. "It's always difficult shooting over a longer guy," Bryant said. "I have a difficult time shooting over someone 6-9." Bryant said the main difference between himself and Iverson was height. "Some things he's capable of doing, I'm not," Bryant said. "He makes floaters in the lane. I can post-up." Tyronn Lue, a speedy 6-footer who's about the same size as Iverson, imitated the 76ers star in practice Monday, going as far as to wear a white sleeve on his right arm, similar to the protective one Iverson wears. "I wanted to get my braids done; I usually get them the day before the game," Lue said. "I might get them done tonight to be ready for practice tomorrow." Iverson, who takes a beating on the court, had nothing on Lue, at least in the Lakers' practice. "I got beat up," Lue said with a smile. Fisher said Lue "gets an A-plus" for his effort in practice.
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