The Sixer Sense
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Sixers selected wisely in the 2004 and 2005 NBA Drafts

By Lucas Johnson

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 20: Andre Iguodala #9 and Louis Williams #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers stand on the court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wachovia Center on November 20, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Grizzlies won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 20: Andre Iguodala #9 and Louis Williams #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers stand on the court during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wachovia Center on November 20, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Grizzlies won 102-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have made mistakes in past drafts, however in the 2004 and 2005 NBA Drafts the team selected the best player available.

In the past, I have written about how the Philadelphia 76ers have made mistakes in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 NBA Drafts. In each of the previously mentioned drafts, there were better players available for the Sixers to select instead of the players they actually selected with their top pick.

When reviewing the 2004 and 2005 NBA Draft, it becomes clear that the Sixers didn’t make a mistake with their top selection. The Sixers made the best choice with their top pick in both 2004 and 2005 NBA Drafts.

2004

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The Sixers owned the nineth pick of 2004 NBA Draft due to Allen Iverson only playing in 48 games in the previous season. With that pick ,the Sixers choose wing Andre Iguodala who made an immediate impact on the roster. He was named All-Rookie first team with an average of 9.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

During Iguodala’s tenure with the Sixers, he averaged 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He also made one All-Star game back in 2012 and was named to All-Defense second team back in the 2010-11 season.

There were plenty of quality players selected after Iguodala in 2004: Al Jefferson, Josh Smith, J.R. Smith, Jameer Nelson, Tony Allen, Kevin Martin and Trevor Ariza all ended up being very good players in the league. However, none of those players were as good as Iguodala was and still is. The Sixers chose the best player available when it was time for them to make a pick back in 2004.

2005

The Sixers’ didn’t have the first round pick back in 2005 due to former general manager Billy King trading the pick away. King traded the pick once in 2001, re-acquired in June 2002 and then traded it away again in Dec. of 2002. The Sixers were only left with the 45th pick of the second round in 2005.

The Sixers selected Lou Williams with that pick. Williams was a solid sixth man for the Sixers while he was with the club. He average 11.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while shooting 33.7 percent from the 3-point line.

The only players selected after Williams that had solid careers were Amir Johnson and Marcin Gortat. While the argument could be made that either big men has had as good of a career as Williams, the combo guard filled the need the Sixers had in the 2005-06. The Sixers didn’t need another big man on the roster that year, where as the Sixers only had Williams and Iverson listed as the team’s point guards that season. Williams was one of the best players still available and filled the need the Sixers had.

Next: Sixers should make serious push to trade for Luka Doncic

The Philadelphia 76ers front office did a good job in evaluating talent in both the 2004 and 2005 NBA Drafts. Both Iguodala and Williams ended up being very good for the Sixers during their respective tenures.