12. 1985-86 season (54-28, lost in conf. semifinals)
Following up a conference finals appearance in 1985 — Charles Barkley‘s rookie season — the Sixers took a minor step back in 1986. Under new head coach Matt Guokas, the Sixers didn’t quite live up to the prior season. Even so, there were plenty of positives.
It would end up being Moses Malone’s final season in Philadelphia. He made his fourth All-Star appearance in four seasons with the team, averaging 23.8 points and 11.8 rebounds. The Malone-Barkley frontcourt was quite formidable.
Barkley built on a promising rookie season, averaging 20.0 points and 12.8 rebounds in 36.9 minutes per game. He appeared and started in 80 contests, establishing himself as a long-term cornerstone.
For Guokas, there were big shoes to fill. His predecessor, Billy Cunningham, was legendary for both his on-court production and his coaching. It was Cunningham who led Philadelphia to a title in 1983. It’s difficult to improve the season after losing a Hall of Fame coach.
Even so, the Sixers managed 54 wins and a competitive conference semifinals appearance. Philadelphia took Milwaukee to seven games — close to a second consecutive conference finals run. Goukas would last until 1987-88.