Philadelphia 76ers: 15 greatest NBA Draft steals in franchise history

Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Ron Koch/NBAE via Getty Images)
Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Ron Koch/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Hal Greer, Philadelphia 76ers
Hal Greer, Philadelphia 76ers. (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

A true all-timer, Hal Greer ranks fourth on our list of the best players in franchise history. He was part of the loaded 1967 championship team, which ended the Boston Celtics’ almost decade-long reign atop the NBA. He’s one of the most productive perimeter scorers the NBA has seen.

Greer spent his entire 15-year NBA career in the Nationals/Sixers organization. He made 10 All-NBA Star appearances and was the second-best player during the most competitive years of that stint, giving Wilt Chamberlain, Luke Jackson and Billy Cunningham a guard dynamo to lean on.

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It’s worth noting how many members of that 1967 title team are on this list. Greer, Jackson, Cunningham and Walker are all worthy inclusions, which speaks to Syracuse and Philadelphia’s tremendous eye for talent in the franchise’s more primitive years.

During the 1967 postseason, Greer averaged a team-high 27.7 points per game. He finished his career as the all-time leader in games played and top 10 on the all-time scoring list, though those qualifications have since changed.

He holds the franchise record for points scored, field goals made, field goals attempted, games played and minutes played.

While Greer doesn’t receive the same hype as Chamberlain, Allen Iverson or Julius Erving, he’s a bona fide staple in Sixers history. His 15-season tenure included a championship, several memorable moments and numerous records. He’s as prevalent as the bigger names when revisiting Philadelphia’s basketball roots.

For a 13th pick, selected after multiple no-names and relative flops, Greer returned great value on his draft spot. Enough to earn the honors of top steal on the 76ers’ decades-long draft record.