Sixers History

The Philadelphia 76ers, formerly known as the Syracuse Nationals, are celebrating their 60th anniversary as an NBA franchise. Each issue this season, DRIVE Magazine will be taking a look at some of the great players in team history, position by position. This month, we start with the center spot, and arguably, the greatest player in NBA history, Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain.

Wilt Chamberlain
Yrs w/Franchise: 4 • Career Averages: 30.1 ppg, 22.9 rpg, 4.4 apg

A Philadelphia native, Chamberlain is considered one of the most dominant players in NBA history. For his career, “Wilt the Stilt” averaged 30.1 points and 22.9 rebounds and was named MVP of the league four times, three while with the 76ers. Although Wilt’s defining moment, the 100-point game, came as a member of the Philadelphia Warriors, he still played close to 300 games with the Sixers and helped lead the team to the NBA Championship in 1967.

Moses Malone
Yrs w/Franchise: 5 • Career Averages: 20.3 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.30 bpg

Malone will always be remembered in the city of Philadelphia for two things... being the missing link which turned a really good 76ers team into a Championship team and for his Playoff sweep proclamation “fo fo fo” which ultimately became “fo fi fo.” Named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players during the league’s 50th anniversary in 1996, Malone ranks as the fifth leading scorer and rebounder in league history.

Caldwell Jones
Yrs w/Franchise: 6 • Career Averages: 7.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.77 bpg

The 76ers made the Playoffs in all six of Jones’ seasons with the team, including three appearances in the NBA Finals. Jones ranks second in franchise history in blocks and ninth in total rebounds. Not known for his scoring, Jones relished his role of doing the little things out on the court and was once quoted as saying “I look at myself like an offensive lineman. Someone has to open the holes for the 1,000-yard rushers.”

Darryl Dawkins
Yrs w/Franchise: 7 • Career Averages: 12.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.41 bpg

The Yin to Caldwell Jones’ Yang, Dawkins joined the 76ers straight out of high school and quickly established himself as one of the most flamboyant players in league history. Best known for his backboard shattering dunks, “Chocolate Thunder” created several imaginative names for his jams, including the “Get out the wayin’, back-door swayin’, game delayin’, if you ain’t groovin’ you best get movin’” dunk.

Theo Ratliff
Yrs w/Franchise: 4 • Career Averages: 7.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.63 bpg

After signing with the Sixers back in August, Ratliff hopes to add another chapter onto his 76ers legacy. During his first stint with the Sixers from 1997-2001, the team compiled a winning percentage of .579 compared to a .280 mark the five seasons prior. He enters the 2008-09 season with the ninth highest average blocks per game in NBA history (2.63).