Are You Kidding Me?: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers

During the 2000–01 National Basketball Association (NBA) season, Allen Iverson and the 76ers captured the hearts and minds of sports fans in Philadelphia and nationwide with a hustling, underdog style of play. Iverson, one of the league’s top scorers in spite of being one of its shortest players, became a generational basketball superstar and cultural icon with a captivating persona—both on and off the court. At times, he clashed with legendary Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown, especially early in their tenure together in Philadelphia. But the duo overcame their differences, and the 76ers surmounted many challenges to reach the 2001 NBA Finals against Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the ultimately too-powerful Los Angeles Lakers.This book details the people and personalities who were part of one of the most memorable seasons in Philadelphia sports history, including coaches, players, management, opponents, and many others.How did Brown brilliantly sculpt a team of blue collar, role players who were willing to do all of the dirty work without any of the glory around the offensively gifted, but, at times, rebellious Iverson? After nearly being traded prior to the 2000–01 season, how did Iverson make changes, on and off the court, to finally fit into Brown’s system? Why did sports fans, both in Philadelphia and around the country, fall in love with this team—and stay in love with them all these years later?Deeply reported and researched and featuring interviews with more than 50 people, this book sheds light on the 2000–01 Philadelphia 76ers in a way that has never been done before. It is an inspiring reminder of the great lengths that effort, determination, and teamwork can take you.Table of ContentsChapter 1: Are You Kidding Me?Chapter 2: Croce’s ChallengeChapter 3: Brown’s BuildChapter 4: Summer Trade Winds BlowChapter 5: Rap Flap, Captain TappedChapter 6: Pain GameChapter 7: Perfect TenChapter 8: Losses and GainsChapter 9: Big MacChapter 10: Snow StormChapter 11: Iverson’s ToughnessChapter 12: Home Sweet HomeChapter 13: Starring RolesChapter 14: A.I. (Allen the Influencer)Chapter 15: Injury and InsultChapter 16: “Where my coach?”Chapter 17: Meet the MediaChapter 18: Snow Returns as Winter Trade Winds BlowChapter 19: Meshing with MutomboChapter 20: Life Without A.I.Chapter 21: HomestretchChapter 22: A Special SeasonChapter 23: Playoffs, First Round versus PacersChapter 24: Playoffs, Second Round versus RaptorsChapter 25: Playoffs, Eastern Conference Finals versus BucksChapter 26: Playoffs, NBA Finals versus Lakers, Game 1Chapter 27: Playoffs, NBA Finals versus Lakers, Dream Run EndsEpilogue AcknowledgementsEndnotesIndex Read more