NBA Inside Stuff magazine will go behind the scenes to cover the postseason atmosphere in Philly and L.A. during NBA Finals 2001. Here is a look at the scene at the First Union Center for Friday's series-ending Game 5.

Before Game 5, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said that he and the Lakers had spent two days talking about how to mentally prepare for game 5. Feeling pressure to avoid a sluggish start, he pointed out that "you have to get yourself plugged into the ballgame immediately."

"I know that the 76ers have a plan and they're going to be coming at us full bore, I think, very aggressively," said Jackson. "We're going to have to be prepared."

Clearly, his team took those words to heart. About an hour before tipoff, the Lakers' Robert Horry, Horace Grant, Greg Foster, and others were engrossed in some extremely important mental preparations: they were all reading the freshly-pressed July issue of NBA Inside Stuff magazine.

Harper

In the far corner of the Lakers locker room, veteran Ron Harper shrugged off Finals pressure, conventional wisdom, and the pleas of teammates as he choked down a greasy chicken filet sandwich with mustard and ketchup, even though he was about to play in one of the biggest games of his remarkable career.

Whether or not he showed veteran poise in that moment is up to debate. However, in his approach to the post-game, Harper was truly an example worth following: his was the only locker draped in a tarp, which saved his belongings from the champagne that was sprayed everywhere after the victory. He had some valuables worth protecting in that locker, too. In addition to some very fancy clothes, he had two pairs of Allen Iverson Reeboks which the regular season MVP had carefully autographed for Harp before the game.

DESTINY'S CHILDREN

McKie

Snow

Iverson

In the Sixers locker room before the game, the team leaders, Iverson, Aaron McKie, and Eric Snow, were huddled together in front of the TV. All six of their eyes were focused directly at the screen, as they scrutinized the video tape of Wednesday's Game 4. These professionals watched every move closely, pointing out subtle details to each other, and discussing the finer points of technique. The funny thing about this tape session, though, was that the part of Game 4 they were watching didn't involve basketball at all. They were watching Destiny's Child's halftime performance.

Shortly before halftime of Game 5, the members of Sugar Ray were getting excited under the stands, warming up for their own halftime performance. Singer Mark McGrath fine-tuned his voice by belting out Sugar Ray tunes a capella. The last few minutes of the half seemed to drag on forever, though, and the band started to get antsy. Bassist Murphy Karges helped pass the time by leading the group through the lyrics "the wait is the hardest part." It fit Sugar Ray's mood at the moment, and passed a minute or two before they took the floor for the halftime show.

After the game, both locker rooms and the areas around them were jam packed with people. Those waiting to get into the Sixers locker room included funny man Chris Tucker, football player Warren Sapp, and Shaquille O'Neal's father. Another person wanting to get in, who didn't have to wait, was NBA Commissioner David Stern. Just after presenting the Lakers with their trophy, he made his way around the locker room of the runners-up. Sixer Todd MacCulloch reported later that Stern had thanked the Philadelphia players "for our effort, and for representing the league well."

Barechested and surrounded by reporters after the game, Dikembe Mutombo insisted on getting dressed before addressing the TV cameras. "I can't show my chest on TV, man," he said with a laugh. "It's not that big."