Best of the 21st Century Sports Teams: The best Philadelphia 76ers of the quarter century
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Beginning with the highs of the team's last finals appearance, and finishing with the lows of this past season's catastrophic failures, being a 76ers fan hasn't been easy over the time period. However, some of the franchise's best have stemmed from it, hall-of-famers and key role players alike.
To commemorate the past 25 years of 76ers basketball, we put together an all-quarter-century team.
Guard: Allen Iverson
Career highlights:
- Hall of Famer
- 2000-01 MVP
- 11x All-Star
- 7x All-NBA
- 4x Scoring Champ
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Perhaps no player across 76ers history has been embraced like Allen Iverson. The roars of the First Union Center as the "six foot guard from Georgetown" was announced were unlike any other, and for good reason. In 2001, Iverson took the Sixers to their first NBA Finals since 1983, bringing hope to the franchise with his toughness and competitive spirit. His statue lies outside of the team's training complex, a reminder of his contributions to one of the most exciting eras of basketball in franchise history.
Guard: Tyrese Maxey
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Career highlights:
- 2023-24 Most Improved Player
- 1x NBA All-Star
The freshest face on this list, Maxey has already made a name for himself in the City of Brotherly Love. The star has been a consistent offensive presence for the 76ers throughout his career, playing with a unique speed and craftiness. He took a slight step back last season amid injuries and the team's overall struggles, but continues to be one of the best scorers in the league today. It will be fun to watch him grow and develop as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Forward: Andre Igoudala
Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on April 26, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Career highlights:
- 1x All-Star
- 04-05 All-Rookie Team
- 2x All-Defensive Team
- 2014-15 Finals MVP
The man 76ers fans affectionately refer to as "Iggy" makes the team with ease, a bright spot in a strange era for the team. Iguodala was a consistent two-way weapon, a great defender who could make his mark driving towards the rim as well. Iggy left the team unceremoniously, traded to the Denver Nuggets to begin the Sixers' "Process" era. But his impact was felt, the star of a forgotten time.
Forward: Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Career highlights:
- 3x All-Star
- 2019-20 NBA Steals Champion
- 2017-18 Rookie of the Year
- 2019-20 All-NBA
- 2017-18 All-Rookie
- 2x All-Defensive Team
This won't be a popular selection. We aren't too far removed from Simmons' ugly exit, holding out and forcing a trade to Brooklyn after an embarrassing playoff showing. It's easy to forget that Simmons was once Philly's "Fresh Prince", a swarming defensive presence whose skills on offense were compared to LeBron James. His versatility and athleticism make him a key part of Sixers history, even if his tenure fell short of expectations.
Note: Yes, Simmons played point guard during most of his 76ers tenure. For more information on why he's not starting at point guard, see: 76ers vs Hawks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7, 2021.
Center: Joel Embiid
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) holds his arm after falling against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Career highlights:
- 2022-23 MVP
- 5x All-NBA
- 7x All-Star
- 2x Scoring Champ
- 3x All-Defensive Team
Similar to Simmons, the city of Philadelphia has soured on Embiid, after his season was plagued by injury woes. Unlike Simmons, Embiid has more than lived up to his draft expectations, becoming one of the top players in the league for multiple years. His lack of playoff success is documented, but it can be argued that this isn't totally on him, forced to deal with dysfunctional teammates and coaches throughout his tenure. If he can recover from his offseason surgery and become even close to the player he once was, he has a chance to solidify himself as a true icon in the footsteps of Iverson.
Bench:
Guard: Jrue Holiday
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday (11) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center.
Career highlights:
- 2x NBA Champion
- 2x All-Star
- 6x All-Defensive Team
Before Holiday became one of the NBA's most feared defenders, he got his start in Philadelphia, the team's first round pick in 2009. The guard blossomed into an All-Star in Philadelphia, one of the team's last stars before "The Process" era began. With multiple playoff appearances as a Sixers star, he's earned a spot on this team.
Guard: Lou Williams
Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams (23) brings he ball up court during game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.
Career highlights:
- 3x Sixth Man of the Year
“Lou-Will”, as he’s affectionately called by basketball fans everywhere, is better known for his late-career renaissance with the Los Angeles Clippers. But the sixth man was an essential piece of the Sixers’ post-Iverson years. He would provide a key burst to this team off the bench, giving them twenty minutes of fast-paced offense and competitiveness.
Forward: Tobias Harris
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Yet another player from an era 76ers fans might like to forget, Harris will forever be remembered as “the guy they picked over Jimmy Butler.” His failure to live up to expectations based on his huge contract didn’t help. But Harris provided the Sixers with multiple serviceable seasons, a consistent finisher around the rim and locker room leader. Even if he won’t necessarily be remembered well, he deserves a spot here.
Forward: Thaddeus Young
Thaddeus Young #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against the Orlando Magic during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on April 26, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Career highlights:
- 2007-08 All-Rookie Team
Young was probably the closest to being chosen as a starter for this team amongst all the players coming off the bench. For his seven years in Philly, he was the perfect role player, a great defender and scorer around the basket. He might not be the flashiest player on this list, but through fulfilling his role well during his tenure, he proved to be an effective contributor.
Center: Elton Brand
Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) defendsNew Jersey Nets center Mehmet Okur (13) during the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nets defeated the Sixers 97-90 in overtime.
Career highlights:
- 2x All-Star
- 2005-06 All-NBA
- 1999-00 Rookie of the Year
These days, Brand is better recognized for his poor business decisions. Brand serves as the team's current general manager, blamed for moves like the Jimmy Butler trade and the Joel Embiid extension. Before his front office days, however, Brand was a force on the court. Signing with Philadelphia in 2008, Brand's plethora of post moves and great rim protection gave the Sixers stability in the front court for multiple playoff runs. Overshadowed by a generational talent like Embiid, Brand still should be recognized as one of the best Sixers centers of all time.
Center: Dikembe Mutumbo
New Jersey Nets center Dikembe Mutumbo (L) finds himself under heavy defensive pressure from Boston Celtics forward Eric Williams (C-Rear) and Celtics forward Antoine Walker (R) in the first quarter of their NBA game in Boston, November 20, 2002.
Career highlights:
- Hall of Famer
- 8x All-Star
- 2x Rebounding Champ
- 3x Blocks Champ
Mutumbo's Sixers tenure was short and certainly less memorable than his stints with Denver and Atlanta. He'll always be remembered as the Big Man in the middle for the 00-01 team, though, his defensive presence at the rim terrorizing the Eastern Conference. Fans also forget Mutumbo turned in a great season in 01-02, the player's last year as a full-time NBA starter. "Mount Mutumbo" sadly passed this year, but his legacy will live on as one of the game's premier shot blockers.
Guard: Aaron McKie
Career highlights:
- 2000-01 Sixth Man of the Year
McKie's appearance might be somewhat controversial. His tenure as a 76er had its ups and downs, from winning Sixth Man of the Year to his tenure being derailed by injuries. But his contribution to the franchise's greatest team of the quarter-century has to be honored, giving him the team's last spot.
Honorable Mentions
James Harden, Guard: Harden's tenure didn't even come close to reaching Sixers' fans hopes, as his reputation for floundering in the playoffs continued in Philadelphia. But the star handed in a season and a half of all-star level basketball, as well as one of the franchise's defining playoff performances with game one of the 2022-23 Eastern Conference Semifinals in Boston. With less than two seasons in Philadelphia, and a reputation for not showing up when it mattered most, he can't make this list though.
Eric Snow, Guard: One of the biggest contributors to the 00-01 team, it's very hard to leave Snow off this list. He brought a needed steadiness to the 76ers' offense when Allen Iverson was off the floor, a great leader on and off the floor for the team for seven seasons. Snow just barely misses the list due to his prime not reaching the heights of his peers, but his contributions were much appreciated by 76ers fans everywhere.
Robert Covington, Forward: A survivor of "The Process", Covington's consistency stood out during his Sixers tenure. The wing player provided fantastic defense and stellar shooting every time he stepped on the floor, instantly becoming a fan favorite. He misses the list slightly due to never truly developing into a top-end talent, but his effort and tenacity are missed.
Kyle Korver, Forward: Korver began his career as one of the NBA's best shooters in Philadelphia, a key bench player for the team. The marksman received sixth man of the year votes for multiple seasons, due to his ability to stretch the floor and defend. But, similarly to Covington, his skill set doesn't quite reach a lot of the great players on this list.
Samuel Dalembert, Center: Dalembert may be one of the most underrated 76ers of all time. Although his numbers wouldn't show up on a stat sheet, his presence was certainly felt on the defensive end of the floor, one of the best rim protectors in team history. His lack of tangible production makes it hard to put him on this list, but he certainly deserves a mention.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Best of the 21st Century Sports Teams: The best Philadelphia 76ers of the quarter century
