INSIDE SCOOP: Story behind the title of my 2001 76ers book

Thanks to radio broadcaster Tom McGinnis, the words "Are You Kidding Me?" were synonymous with that memorable season

Aaron Bracy

May 09, 2026

The title of my book on Allen Iverson and the 2001 76ers was inspired by the words of radio play-by-play broadcaster Tom McGinnis. Cover photo: Scott W Anderson Photography. Cover Design: Declan Ingram/Casemate.

By AARON BRACY

May 9, 2026

Bracy Sports Media Newsletter

Before I typed a single word or did a minute of research, I had the title for the book I wanted to write about the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers:

Are You Kidding Me?

Those words, as anyone around during that magical season would recall, were synonymous with that memorable 2001 team and the historic run to the NBA Finals thanks to 76ers radio play-by-play broadcaster Tom McGinnis.

McGinnis told me during one of my first interviews for the book, which is scheduled to be published on February 19, 2027, last summer that he never set out to come up with a catchphrase as a broadcaster. But those words have become just that for McGinnis, though it happened naturally. McGinnis recalled starting to say it while watching Allen Iverson throw alley-oop passes for slam dunks to Larry Hughes during the lockout-shortened 1999 season. It was out of his sheer enthusiasm and almost disbelief for the incredible athletic feats he was describing on the court that the catchphrase arose.

During the 2000–01 season, McGinnis broke out the words a lot to describe many amazing Iverson feats–though his iconic call of Iverson’s stepover of Tyronn Lue during Game 1 against the Lakers in the Finals was, “He’s way too good!”

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For the title of the book, I knew I wanted to use: Are You Kidding Me? This was both because McGinnis’s calls were such a part of that season and also because the words themselves almost perfectly describe what Iverson and a bunch of blue-collar role players were able to accomplish that season, especially when factoring in all of the injuries in which they had to overcome.

Over the years, I have said hello to McGinnis at 76ers games, but I didn’t know him very well. That changed this season. He was a fantastic interview for the book. That happened over the phone. Subsequently, we started speaking more in person at games.

A few weeks into the season after we had become more friendly, I asked McGinnis if I could discuss the title of the book with him. It was, after all, his catchphrase. It also was the only title I wanted for the book. In passing during our phone interview, he had told me that he didn’t have a patent on the saying. So, I knew I could use it. Still, I felt it was the right thing to do to ask for his permission to use it for the book title.

Our conversation went something like this:

Aaron: Tom, I want to talk to you about the title I have been thinking about for the book. There is really only one title–

(McGinnis, as I recall, didn’t even wait for me to finish.)

Tom: You mean, Are You Kidding Me?

He knew right away. And his smile told me, without him even having to say anything, exactly what I wanted to hear. Not only was McGinnis cool with me using it for the title of the book, but he actually was excited, I felt, that it would be the title. While I was on a roll, I went ahead and asked him if he could unveil the title as only he can.

The sound quality and the lighting of the recording isn’t the best (my fault), but it was a huge thrill for McGinnis to announce the title of the book. You can watch it on YouTube HERE.

I am so happy that McGinnis agreed, and so excited for the book to come out with the cover splashed with:

Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline).

You can learn more about the book, and preorder a copy by clicking HERE.

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WEEK REWIND

Here are some links in case you missed them.

-On Monday, I kicked off this newsletter with a welcome post.

-On Wednesday, I published a Bracy Sports Media EXCLUSIVE on why Anthony Finkley transferred from Saint Joseph’s to La Salle.

-Also on Wednesday, I published Episode 63 of the Bracy Sports Media podcast, which featured an interview with author Paul Knepper, author of Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet (University of Nebraska Press). The book was fantastic. I learned so much about Malone that I did not know. I would highly recommend it.

-I also had a busy week in press boxes, covering the Phillies-A’s series for the Associated Press. I also was courtside for Game 3 of the 76ers-Knicks on Friday night.

-On Friday, I dusted off my Big5Hoops website for a story on Steve Donahue and Saint Joseph’s. There is a ton here in my Inside the Big 5 column.

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WEEK AHEAD

-The next Bracy Sports Media Newsletter will drop on Wednesday. It will be another EXCLUSIVE that you won’t want to miss.

This time, unlike with this Inside Look article and the Finkley EXCLUSIVE, you will need to be a subscriber to read it. It still will be free, but only for Bracy Sports Media Newsletter subscribers.

Thank you in advance for helping to spread the word about the newsletter!

You can share the Bracy Sports Media Newsletter with this link, or with the button below.

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SUPPORT MY WORK

The Bracy Sports Media Newsletter is free! However, we would be grateful for your support in the following ways:

1. Preorder a copy of Aaron Bracy’s book, Are You Kidding Me? The Incredible, Inspiring Story of Allen Iverson and the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers (Brookline). Publication date: February 19, 2027.

Preorder here: Amazon, Big5Hoops, Barnes & Noble

2. Order a copy of Aaron Bracy’s book, A Soaring Season: The Incredible, Inspiring Story of the 2003-04 Saint Joseph’s Hawks (Brookline). Publication date: March 1, 2025.

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