Top 10 Sixers Draft Picks Of All Time

Mar 1, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A banner with the jersey number of Philadelphia 76ers former guard Allen Iverson is raised to the rafters during a ceremony at halftime of game between the 76ers and Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Allen Iverson

There’s no way we talk about draft picks and don’t bring up “The Answer.” Allen Iverson was the first overall pick in the 1996 draft, coming off of two strong years at Georgetown. He paved the way for short men. Although short guys had played in the league before (Spudd Webb), Iverson was the shortest man (6’0) to ever be selected as the first overall pick.

Determined to shut doubters up, Iverson came out strong, averaging 23.5 points per game in his rookie season, rightfully winning the honor of Rookie of the Year award. In 2000-2001 he was the All Star of the All Star Game, as well as the All Star of the league itself.

Additionally, he led the Sixers to the Finals this year, averaging an insane 31.1 points per game 2.5 steals, and 4.6 assists. He was the scoring champion in this season, and came up as the champion in steals as well. Again, paving the way for the little guys, Iverson was at the time the shortest, as well as the lightest player to ever win MVP.

Iverson went off in the Finals game one, scoring 48 points, even against the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. This was the only game the Sixers would win, unfortunately in the series.

Following this was a lot of tough years for the Sixers and their relationship with AI. Iverson was known for being late to events, missing practices, and more, and was fined and benched on multiple occasions.

Towards the end of his first ride with Philly, things got real bad, and Iverson was practically begging to leave the team. He was eventually traded, and to this day denies any and all rumors of him demanding a trade. Still, it’s fairly evident he wanted out.

Throughout his ten and a half seasons with the Sixers, he averaged over 20 points per game in every season. Additionally, he was the scoring champion of the league on four different occasions. He led the Sixers to the playoffs and Finals, and will be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever come through the organization, despite any trouble he stirred up.

He returned to the Sixers for a last hurrah in the NBA before playing overseas, and officially retired in 2013. He said he would be a Sixer until he dies on that night, and just recently had his number retired as a Sixer.

While some argue that because Iverson didn’t bring a championship to the city he can’t be the number one draft pick of all time, I disagree. Iverson was one of the highest awarded Sixers, if not the highest. He brought the city some great basketball, and in my opinion, the best basketball in a long time.

He ushered in the modern era of basketball that we are accustomed to and paved a way for players who had been doubted because of their size. Iverson was an amazing player who is the best player that has ever been drafted by the 76ers.

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