Philadelphia 76ers Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the

game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that

players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have

decided to defy those odds. 

The Philadelphia 76ers entered the NBA in 1946 as the Syracuse

Nationals. They remain one of the oldest NBA franchises. Though they

do not have the heavy championship pedigree as, say, the Los Angeles

Lakers and Boston Celtics, they have a prominent history. 

The 76ers have three NBA champions (1955, 1967 and 1983) and

reached the NBA Finals on two other occasions, losing to legendary

Lakers teams (1980, 2001) both times. The franchise has also had many

prominent Hall of Famers such as Wilt Chamberlain, Allen Iverson,

Hal Greer, Julius Erving, Billy Cunningham, Charles Barkley, Moses

Malone and Dolph Shayes. Today’s version features young players like

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons that could morph into potential Hall of

Famers. 

Today, I put together a 76ers Dream Team. There are some rigid criteria in

making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the

76ers for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free

agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-

year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all

eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is

basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first

consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-

NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping

immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going

to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the 76ers during a season of being a championship contender

does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the 76ers

during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team.

Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless

basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras.

The starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best

of the rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first

requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just

tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove.

Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who

do I take off the list at that position?”

With this franchise, there is an embarrassment of riches in that good ones

are not selected. 

Starting five

Point guard: Allen Iverson

Iverson brought a sense of swagger and hip hop to a league that was

not always welcoming of that style. However, there is no denying

Iverson's on the court greatness. Along with Wilt Chamberlain and

Julius Erving, a case could be made for Iverson to be the best player

in franchise history. Those small in stature, he was electrifying and a

physically tough and resilient player.

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, 12 of his 16 years were spent in

Philadelphia. Iverson was the MVP in 2001. That season he led the

76ers to an NBA Finals appearance. He was also an 11-time All-Star,

two-time NBA All Star game MVP, six-time All NBA (three is a first-

team) and NBA Rookie of the Year in 1997. 

Shooting guard: Hal Greer

Greer is rarely mentioned among 76er greats because his playing days

go back to the Syracuse Nationals era. Greer was a prime example of a

substance over style player as he was such a consistent performer. His

biggest uniqueness was the fact that his free-throw for a jump shot.

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, which spanned three decades with

the franchise, the combination of Greer, Chamberlain and Cunningham

delivered an NBA championship in 1967. He was also a 10-time All-

Star, NBA All-Star game MVP in 1968, seven-time All NBA second

team. Over the course of his career, Greer averaged 19.2 points, 5.0

rebounds and 4.0 assists.

Small forward: Julius Erving

Simply known as “Dr. J,” Erving did not play his entire career with the

76ers, he is perhaps the most identifiable player in franchise history.

Watching Erving was like watching poetry in motion. He did not dunk

the ball as a matter of force, his ability to jump from the free throw line to

dunk was like watching an acrobat. Erving, however, was not just a

pretty offensive force. Erving frequently jumped passing lanes to

anticipate steals and could block shots from behind.

On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Erving led the 76ers to their 1983

NBA championship after having led the New Jersey Nets to two ABA

titles. Erving was the NBA MVP in 1981. He was also an 11-time All-

Star and five-time All NBA first team. In a 76ers uniform, he averaged

22.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.8 Steals, and 1.5 blocks shots. 

Power forward: Charles Barkley

Nicknamed “Sir Charles” and “The Round Mound of Rebound,”

Barkley’s tenure in Philadelphia did not end well as he requested a trade

after the 76ers failed to reach the playoffs. However, Berkeley did more

than enough to cement his Hall of Fame legacy to land a spot in the

starting lineup on this team. Barkley was an undersized big man at 6-5

but was also one of the most dominant rebounders in NBA history.

Barkley spent eight of his 16 NBA seasons with the 76ers, five of which

were NBA All-Star seasons. He was the NBA All-Star game MVP in

1991. In his career, Berkeley was an 11-time all NBA selection (five as a

first-teamer) and he was also on the All-Rookie team in 1985 and the

NBA rebounding champion in 1987. As a 76er, Barkley averaged a

double-double with 23.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.76 and 1.4 steals. 

Center: Wilt Chamberlain

Chamberlain is one of the best and most dominant players ever to play in

the NBA. Chamberlain's resume became complete in 1967 when he

helped end the Boston Celtics streak of NBA championships at eight and

subsequently led Philadelphia to an NBA Finals win over the San

Francisco Warriors. Chamberlain owns many records in terms of points,

rebounds and durability. He also remains the only player in NBA history

to score 100 points in a single game.

During his foursSeasons with the 76ers, Chamberlain won three of his

four NBA MVPs. He was an All-Star in all four seasons and All NBA

first team in three of the four campaigns. He also won two of his seven

career scoring titles and three of his 11 rebounding titles with the 76ers.

He led the NBA in assists in 1968. As a 76er, he averaged an

astonishing 27.6 points, 23.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists.

Bench (alphabetical order)

Maurice Cheeks:

Cheeks did not light up stat sheets but he was the definition of a

facilitator. His role was quite significant in the 76ers winning the 1983

NBA championship. All four of Cheeks’ All Star appearances and all

four of his NBA All-Defensive first-team selections and one more as a

second team came in a 76ers uniform. On the way to a Hall of Fame

career, cheeks average 12.2 points, 7.3 assists and 2.3 steals a game

in a 76ers uniform. 

Larry Costello:

Costello's legacy with the franchise overlaps both the Syracuse

Nationals and Philadelphia 76ers era. Costello helped the 76ers deliver

their 1967 NBA championship. He was a six-time All-Star and All-NBA

second team in 1961. During his time as a 76er, he averaged 12.2 points,

3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists. After his playing career, Costello became an

accomplished coach. As a player and as a coach, he was all about intensity.

Billy Cunningham:

Cunningham played an integral role in helping lead the 76ers to their

1967 NBA championship. After the departure of Chamberlain,

Cunningham became the face of the franchise. On the way to a Hall of

Fame career, he was a four-time All-Star, five-time All NBA (three as

a first-teamer), NBA All Rookie first team in 1976. During his career in

Philadelphia, Cunningham averaged a double-double with 20.8 points,

10.1  rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals.

Joel Embiid:

Embiid recently completed his fourth NBA season and while his legacy

is still in progress, Embiid has already done enough to earn a spot on

this team. Embiid has been an NBA All-Star in three of his four seasons.

He was also a two-time All-NBA second team and two-time NBA All-

Defensive second team along with NBA All-Rookie first team in 2017.

Embiid has averaged a double-double with 23.9 points, 11.5 rebounds,

3.1 assists and 1.8 blocks shots. 

Bobby Jones: 

Jones's hallmark was his determination as a defensive player which made

him one of the best in NBA history. During his time with the 76ers,

Jones helped the franchise win their 1983 NBA championship. Three of

his four All-Star appearances came in a 76ers’ uniform as did seven of

his eight NBA All-Defensive first-team awards. Jones was also All NBA

Defensive second team in 1985 and the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in

1983. As a 76er, Jones averaged 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists,

1.2 steals along with 1.1 blocks. 

Moses Malone:

Malone spent just a combined five seasons (two stints) with the 76ers but

ended up being the finishing piece they needed to win their 1983 NBA

championship. Malone is perhaps the best rebounder in NBA history

even though there were centers that were bigger than him. Malone's

rebounding prowess was a result of being able to read the angle of

missed shots. Malone averaged 21.7 points and 12.4 rebounds per game

during his time as a 76er. In his career, which resulted in a Hall of Fame

induction, Malone was a six-time NBA rebounding champion, eight-

time All-NBA, two-time NBA All-Defensive, 13 All-Stars, three MVPs

and the 1983 NBA Finals MVP.

Dolph Shayes:

Shayes’ career with the 76ers not only dates back to the Syracuse National

days but spans three decades from 1948-1964. Near the end of his career,

Shayes, doubled as player and coach. Shayes was instrumental in

delivering an NBA championship in 1955. He was a 12-time All-Star, 12-

time All NBA (six as a first-teamer), NBA rebounding champion in 1951.

During his career, Shayes averaged 18.5 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.1

assists per game. 

Andrew Toney:

Part of Toney's legacy is “what could have been” because his career was

cut short by chronic foot injuries. Toney, however, was known as “The

Boston Strangler” because of his ability to dominate games against the

rival Celtics. Toney was a pivotal piece on the 76ers 1983 NBA

championship team. He was a two-time All-Star as well. During his

career he averaged 15.9 points per game.

Chet Walker:

Walker spent seven of his 13 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the

76ers, including one while they were the Syracuse Nationals. Walker

was a key contributor to the 76ers’ 1967 NBA championship. Three of

his seven career All-Star appearances came in a Philadelphia uniform.

He was also NBA All-Rookie first team in 1963. During his time with

Philadelphia, Walker averaged 16.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists

per game. 

Head coach: Billy Cunningham

Cunningham was one of the rare Hall of Fame players who's playing

career translated into coaching success. Cunningham remains the

franchise's winningest head coach with 454 wins,  including 66 in the

postseason. Cunningham guided the 1983 76ers to the NBA

championship. He holds the third best regular season winning percentage

in NBA history with only Steve Kerr and Phil Jackson being ahead of

him. Cunningham reached the 300 and 400 win plateau faster than any

coach in NBA history. 

Team: 1966-1967

This team rarely gets mentioned in the annals of all time great teams but

they deserve to be in the conversation based on their performance. The

76ers won a franchise-record 68 games during the regular season with

two Hall of Famers leading them with Chamberlain and Greer.

Philadelphia began the playoffs by knocking off the Cincinnati Royals

in the Eastern Conference Division semifinals and then defeated the

Boston Celtics in the Eastern Division finals to end their run of eight

consecutive NBA championships. In the NBA Finals Philadelphia

defeated the San Francisco Warriors. The 76ers started that season

46-4 which remains the best 50-game start in NBA history, the 2015-

2016 Golden State Warriors that record.