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

The eighth overall pick in 1980, Andrew Toney became an underrated part of the Sixers’ strong presence in the 1980s. He made two NBA All-Star appearances and earned the ‘Boston Strangler’ label for his storied postseason performances against the Sixers’ bitter rivals.

In the 1982 playoffs, Toney averaged 26.2 points per game in Philadelphia’s thrilling seven-game series win over the Boston Celtics. He closed the series with 34 points in the final contest, launching the Sixers to an NBA Finals appearance.

He spent his entire eight-year career with the franchise, retiring early due to foot issues. He became known for his scoring prowess, averaging 20.4 points in the 1983-84 NBA season — his peak. Charles Barkley would later call Toney the “best player [he’s] ever played with.”

In addition to his 1982 heroics, Toney played a major part in the Sixers’ 1983 title run — one that resulted in a Philadelphia victory. He averaged 22.0 points and 5.8 assists per game in the Sixers’ sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers, balancing Malone’s interior dominance with a prolific perimeter threat.

Toney had the athleticism, shooting stroke and instincts of an absolute stud. If it weren’t for nagging foot injuries, his career would have been even more prestigious. His performances against Boston, among many other things, will keep him cemented in Sixers legend for a long, long time.