The Philly Team Who Had the Answer – Literally
This week, it was announced that the Sixers will wear their “classic edition” jerseys during the upcoming 2025–2026 season.
The 2000–2001 76ers — much like the 2017–2018 Philadelphia Eagles — came out of nowhere.
PHOTO: Bleacher Report via u/ManMoth104_9/Reddit
It’s not that we didn’t expect them to be good — from the beginning of the season, they were complete, with a plethora of talent highlighted by one of the best players in the league, Allen Iverson.
By that season’s end, it would be the finest year in professional Philadelphia basketball since 1983.
The team, coached by Larry Brown, would complete the season with a 56–26 record, which was enough for a Division crown.
Iverson was voted as the season’s NBA Most Valuable Player Award with a PPG average of 31.1. Temple’s Aaron McKie contributed 11.6 PPG, which would help to earn him the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Center Dikembe Mutombo would be the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Speaking of the roster — for this Sixers team — a trade during the year would help to define its season.
In February 2001, the Sixers acquired Mutombo and Roshown McLeod from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Theo Ratliff, Toni Kukoc, Pepe Sanchez, and Nazr Mohammed.
The 76ers — now complete with the bolstered defense of Dikembe Mutombo — were ready for a deep playoff run.
In the playoffs, Philadelphia was able to defeat Reggie Miller’s Indiana Pacers three games to one in the opening round. In a hard-fought Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, Philadelphia beat the Toronto Raptors and Vince Carter in an exhilarating Game 7 at the Wells Fargo Center 88–87. The 76ers would fall behind the Milwaukee Bucks 2–1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, but would then rally to win the series by a final of four games to three.
The end to the Sixers’ season would come at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. After coming out on top in an exciting first Game 107–101, the Sixers would not win another matchup in the NBA Finals. It was the last time in the last 24 seasons that the Sixers have advanced to the NBA Finals.
For 76ers fans — both the 2000–2001 season and Allen Iverson — one of the best basketball talents to ever play in the City of Philadelphia — would be the answer.
PHOTO: Bleacher Report via u/ManMoth104_9/Reddit
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