Each Team’s All-NBA First Team: A 30 Part Series- Part 30 The Philadelphia 76ers/Syracuse Nationals
With the hype of the offseason coming to an end, I have decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to examine each team’s specific All-NBA First Team. What I mean by this is- following the criteria set by the NBA for the All-NBA Team rules, I will examine and elaborate on my picks for each team’s specific All-NBA First Team.
G- Allen Iverson: 1996–2006, 2010
From the moment he was drafted in 1996 until his departure in 2006, Allen Iverson was not only the face of the franchise, but he was also one of the best players in the entire NBA. In his 11 seasons with the team, Iverson was an eight-time All-Star, a member of six All-NBA Teams (3x First Team, 3x Second Team), a four-time scoring champion, and the 2000–2001 league MVP.
During his time in Philadelphia Iverson established himself as one the best scorers in league history, finishing in the top ten of points scored eight times. His average of 31.4 points per game during the 2001–2002 season is the franchise’s highest single game average in the post NBA-ABA merger era.
He led the team to the playoffs six times, making the NBA finals in 2001. His 2001 MVP season was his best season in terms of both individual and team success. In that season, Iverson averaged 31.1 points, 4.6 assists, and a career high 2.8 steals per game. The team also won 56 games, which was the most wins since the 1984–1985 season.
Iverson is the team’s all-time leader in three-point fields, and steals per game. He is also tied for the single highest points per game average (27.6) with Wilt Chamberlain.
To this day, when basketball fans think of the 76ers, Allen Iverson is among the first players that come to mind.
G- Hal Greer: 1958–1973
After Dolph Schayes, but before Julius Erving, there was Hal Greer, who from 1958 to 1973 was among the most popular 76ers’ players of all-time. Not only was Greer a productive player, but he was also the team’s leader, and until the acquisition of Wilt Chamberlain, was the team’s best overall player.
Greer played his entire 15-year career with the franchise. He is the team’s all-time leader in games played, minutes played, made field goals, and points scored. He was a 10-time All-Star and a member of seven All-NBA Second Teams.
In his 15 seasons, the Nationals/76ers made 13 playoff appearances, winning the NBA finals in 1967.
Greer averaged 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game for his career. At the time of his retirement his 19.2 points per game was the second highest in franchise history.
F- Julius Erving: 1976–1987
After the NBA-ABA merger, Julius Erving found himself as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, immediately becoming the team’s best player. Erving’s ABA success quickly transitioned into the NBA- he finished his rookie season with averages of 21.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Erving was an All-Star in all 11 of his NBA seasons and was a member of seven All-NBA Teams (5x First Team, 2x Second Team). He averaged greater than 20 points per game in all but two of his NBA seasons. His best season came during the 1980–1981 season, a season in which he was named the league MVP. In that season, Erving averaged 24.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The 76ers won 62 games that season and reached the Eastern Conference Finals.
Although Erving had tremendous success as an individual, the 76ers as a team also had immense success. The team made the playoffs in all 11 of his seasons, reaching the NBA Finals three times, winning the championship in 1983.
F- Charles Barkley: 1984–1991
After being drafted with the fifth overall pick in the 1984 draft, Charles Barkley immediately made an impact on the 76ers’ franchise. By the end of his second season, Barkley had emerged as the team’s best player, averaging 20 points and 12.8 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. He also emerged as one of the best offensive rebounders in the entire league.
Barkley was a five-time All-Star, a member of six All-NBA Teams (4x First Team, 2x Second Team), and the NBA’s leader in total rebounds during his tenure with the 76ers.
The 1987–1988 season was Barkley’s best season with the team. In that season he averaged a career high 28.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He led the NBA in field goal percentage, shooting a remarkable 63% from the field.
Despite only playing seven seasons for the team, Barkley is the team’s all-time leader in offensive rebounds. He is also fifth on the team’s all-time scoring list. His 23.3 points per game is the third highest in franchise history.
C- Mosses Malone: 1982–1986, 1994
Prior to arriving in Philadelphia, Mosses Malone had established himself as not only a viable scorer, but also a dominant rebounder- and that reputation followed him to the City of Brotherly Love. Upon being traded to the 76ers, Mosses Malone became the second player ever to play for a different team following a season in which he was named the league MVP. Malone followed up his prolific final season in Houston, by winning the MVP in his first season in Philadelphia, which was Malone’s best season with the team. In that season, Malone averaged 23.5 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. He also snagged a franchise record 445 offensive rebounds. His miraculous season was topped off with a victory in the NBA finals.
In his five seasons in Philadelphia, Malone averaged 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He was a four-time All-Star and a member of three All-NBA Teams (2x First Team, 1x Second Team).
