Toronto Raptors: Reviewing the Vince Carter versus Allen Iverson Battle

One of the closest series of the 2000s involving the Toronto Raptors against the Philadelphia 76ers. A battle between Allen Iverson and Vince Carter that is not talked about enough.

Nineteen years ago in the month of May, we had the release of the animated film called “Shrek.” This film sees Shrek battling with Lord Farquad at the end because he fell in love with Fiona — the princess Shrek rescued from the castle because Farquad couldn’t do it himself — and didn’t want Fardquad to marry her. Then you know the rest if you watched it, and if you haven’t watched it, what are you waiting for?

Anyways that month of May in 2001 also brought us another clash that resembles the height difference Shrek and Lord Farquad had. We had a seven-game series of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Philadelphia 76ers against the Toronto Raptors. Allen Iverson versus Vince Carter.

This is a battle that had lots of back and forth and it was a lot closer than it should’ve been. Iverson just got his first and only MVP at the age of 25, and Carter was establishing himself as a star in the NBA. Iverson led the league in points averaging 31.1 per game, and Carter wasn’t too far behind him at fifth, averaging 27.6 per game. It was a battle of the giants (Lord Farquad had his giant Castle to make up for his size) and it really did come down to the two young superstars, except for the most important game oddly enough.

Before I begin reviewing each game, I just want to say that I bring up efficiency often because these guys shot the ball a lot. So yes if they have 30 points that may seem good, but taking the shots into consideration especially here is important.