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Cavaliers' Lue: Iverson 'made me'

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue said he owes his career to the legendary Allen Iverson in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated.

"I'd want him on my staff because he'd have the respect of everybody in this league right away," Lue said, according to SI's Chris Chavez. "You know, if I hadn't defended him in that series, I'd have been out of the league. He made me."

The series he's referring to is the 2001 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, in which Lue was tasked with guarding Iverson. In Game 1, The Sixers star memorably cross up Lue, drained a jumper, and then stepped over him in a 48-point performance, which gave Philadelphia its only win of the series.

Lue won two championships with the Lakers before signing with the Washington Wizards.

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