Los Angeles Lakers

Allen Iverson congratulates Tyronn Lue on new coaching gig

Published Jan. 22, 2016 7:53 p.m. ET

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Jonathan Bradley

Allen Iverson doesn't use Twitter much, but when he found out his former on court-adversary Tyronn Lue was promoted to head coach of the NBA Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, the former NBA superstar had to fire off a celebratory tweet.

Iverson and Lue met many times during their NBA playing careers, including at least three times a year during Lue's stints with Washington, Orlando and Atlanta. Their most notable meeting, however, came in the 2001 NBA Finals, where the Lakers turned to a then-seldom used Lue in crunch time of Game 1 to slow down the crafty shooting guard.

Iverson still finished with 48 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers shock the L.A. Lakers at home in overtime and take a 1-0 series lead, and AI knocked down a key jumper with less than a minute left in OT, in the face of Lue, to help create this iconic photo:

Allen Iverson steps over Tyronn Lue in game one of the NBA Finals

But despite their on-the-court battles, it looks like Iverson has plenty of respect — even love — for the newly-minted head coach. 

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