Philadelphia 76ers: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

Doug Collins was the first overall pick in 1973, spending his entire eight-season career with the Sixers. He played an integral role in the Sixers’ 1976-77 run to the NBA Finals next to Julius Erving, although the team would eventually fall short.

A crafty finisher around the basket, Collins was able to thrive both on and off the ball. He fared well on drives to the rim, while his off-ball cutting was an effective part of the Sixers’ offense when paired with Erving’s gravity as a scorer.

Collins averaged 17.9 points per game during his career while making four consecutive All-Star appearances between 1975 and 1979. He was the first No. 1 overall pick in franchise history as well.

Much like the aforementioned Luke Jackson, Collins’ career was cut short by injuries. He dealt with several foot and knee issues from 1979 onward, which eventually ended his career in 1981.

After his playing days, Collins has spent decades in the coaching realm. He coached a young Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls from 1986-89, leading them to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 1989.

He also spent time coaching the Detroit Pistons in the mid-90s and the Washington Wizards in the early 2000s, where he was reunited with Jordan.

In 2010, Collins took the Sixers’ head coaching job. He led the team to a playoff series win against the first-seeded Bulls in 2012, but resigned in the summer of 2013 before taking an advisory role in the front office.

He’s currently an adviser for the Bulls’ front office.