Sixers upset the Orlando Magic in ‘99
Excitement was building around the Sixers in the late ’90s as Allen Iverson torched the league with his torrid scoring and ankle-breaking crossovers. But no one takes you seriously until you win when it matters: in the playoffs.
The Sixers had last visited the postseason in the ‘90-91 season when Charles Barkley led them to a first round victory before falling to Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the second round. Just making it back to the postseason was reason enough to celebrate, but Allen Iverson was not simply happy to be there. It was his first postseason appearance, coming on the heels of his first scoring title, and Bubba Chuck was determined to make a statement.
The Sixers entered the ‘99 postseason as the 6th seed, earning a date with Penny Hardaway and the Orlando Magic. The underdog Sixers wasted no time in proving they belonged, jumping all over the Magic in Orlando in Game 1 and dominating in surprising fashion en route to a 104-90 victory.
The real statement game came in Game 3, which the Sixers won 97-85 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Iverson had 33 points and 10 steals, an NBA playoff record that stands today. Chris Broussard wrote in the New York Times, “But the Magic’s supposed maturity was nowhere to be found tonight at the First Union Center. Whatever savvy Orlando brought to Philadelphia crumbled beneath the pressure of a smothering 76ers assault that was sparked by quickness, enforced by strength and fed by fan fervor.” Those smothering Sixers wrapped up the series in the next game, in the process sending the Magic into retooling mode as thier coach, Hall of Famer Chuck Daly, went into retirement and the team traded away their leader in Hardaway.
Iverson always knew how to send a message, and it took a single playoff series for him to put the entire league on notice. The Sixers were going to be in the playoffs for years to come, Iverson would make sure of it, and underdog status served him just fine.
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