NBA 2001

1. Shaquille O’Neal: Won his 2^nd straight Finals MVP by averaging 33 points 16 rebounds five assists and 3.4 blocks per game. He shot 57% from the field.

In the regular season he was 1^st team All-NBA, 2nd team All-Defense and player of the month in April. He was 3^rd in the MVP voting.

Shaq was 3^rd in scoring (28.7) and rpg (12.7) and 4^th in blocks (2.8).

He led the league in field goals made and field goal % (57). He was 5^th in free throws. 

O’Neal has 60 double-doubles in 74 games.

During the playoffs, in 16 games he led all players with 30 ppg and put up 15.4 rpg and 2.4 bpg.

Against the Kings he averaged 43.5 ppg, 20.5 rpg, 5 bpg, 60 % FG in Game 1-2 wins.

O’Neal had 35-17 in just 35 minutes in the Lakers 39 point blowout of the Spurs in Game Three of the West Finals.

Shaq had a near quadruple-double (28-20-9-8 blk) in Game Two of the NBA Finals to carry LA to an 1-1 series tie.

Los Angeles won 56 games in the regular season, including the last eight. They carried the momentum to take their 15 of 16 games in the playoffs. They won their 2^nd straight title.

2. Allen Iverson: Was the NBA MVP. He was 1^st team All-NBA and player of the month in January.

He led the NBA in scoring (31 PPG) and steals (2.5). A.I was 2^nd in the FTs and minutes (42).

He led the East to a dramatic comeback win behind 25 points. He was named MVP.

Iverson helped the Sixers past the Pacers in the 1^st round of the playoffs behind his 45 point and 9 assist performances in Game Two.

 Indy had beat Philly the previous two years in the playoffs.

He outdueled Vince Carter in a classic second round series. 

Iverson had 54 in Game Two and 52 in Game Five to give his team a 3-2 series led.

In Game Seven, “The Answer” had 21-16 ast. to help Philly past Toronto 88-87.

He got the 76ers into first NBA Finals in 18 years with 44-6-7 in Game Seven win over the Bucks.

He hit 17-33 shots including 4-6 threes.

In Game  One of the Finals Iverson carried Philly past LA with 48 points including this huge jumper in overtime. 

He averaged 35-5-4 1.8 steals and 47 minutes in Finals.

The Sixers won 56 games, had the best record in the East. They were the only team to beat the Lakers in the playoffs.

3. Kobe Bryant: Was 2^nd team All-NBA and 2^nd team All-Defense.

 

He was the player of the month in December.

He was 4^th in scoring (28.5), 6^th in FT, and 7^th in minutes.

Bryant also averaged six rebounds and five assists per game.

In the playoffs, Kobe averaged 29-7-6 in 43 minutes per game.

He averaged 43-11 in Games 3-4 vs. the Kings (48-16 in the closeout), and Game 1 in San Antonio.

Kobe had 26-12-6 in the title clinching Game Five.

En route to the title the Lakers beat All-NBA first team players (Webber, Duncan, and Iverson) 11 of 12 games.