We set out to determine the Philadelphia 76ers’ all-time favorite player. We’re nearly there.
Our tournament to determine the Philadelphia 76ers‘ all-time favorite player reaches its climax. The Final Four is upon us, which means by later this afternoon, our final matchup will be known. In unsurprising fashion, the top four seeds are the four left standing.
Allen Iverson, Julius Erving, Joel Embiid, Wilt Chamberlain. All elite talents, and all representative of different eras in Sixers history. Chamberlain was the NBA’s first true megastar. Erving was a revolutionary athlete of previously unseen entertainment value. Embiid led the Sixers out of the darkest hour in franchise history. Iverson changed the game of basketball, both on and off the court, in irreversible ways.
Aside from Embiid, these are not only Sixers legends, but NBA legends. Players whose names are indelibly tied to the game of basketball, and whose style, grace, and dominance will saturate the history books for decades.
It’s up to you — the fans — to determine which two deserve to move on, and eventually, which player deserves the singular title of Philadelphia’s all-time favorite player. Here’s the bracket so far.
Today’s matchups are…
(1) Allen Iverson vs. (4) Wilt Chamberlain
Neither Iverson nor Chamberlain have had a great deal of trouble getting to this point. Iverson’s most stout competition came in the form of Ben Simmons, but even then he received 81 percent of the vote. He ousted Andre Iguodala yesterday with a staggering 97.4 percent of the vote.
Chamberlain’s path to the Elite Eight, similar to Iverson’s, was uneventful. Once he got there, however, he battled neck-and-neck with Charles Barkley. He ended up with 53.3 percent of the vote and an appearance in today’s matchup. Arguably the most innately gifted player of all-time, Chamberlain is no cake-walk for Iverson. These are the real battles.
(2) Julius Erving vs. (3) Joel Embiid
Old school vs. new school. Erving was the architect of multiple NBA Finals runs in the 70s and 80s, culminating in the Sixers’ momentous 1983 championship banner. He blended substance and flash to a degree few NBA players had in the decades prior. He was not only a gifted scorer and a strong defender, but he become famous for his rim-rocking acrobatics. Yesterday, he ousted Moses Malone — the MVP of that 1983 Finals win — with 88.2 percent of the vote.
Embiid is the Sixers’ present and future. He’s the top center in basketball, and he’s the rare bridge between a bygone era and basketball’s future. He’s a post-up big in the era of pace-and-space — one of the few players who can efficiently occupy such a role. Embiid already has two All-Stars on his resume, as well as an All-NBA reputation. Few players in Philadelphia’s long history have connected to the city like Embiid has. He has a vibrant personality and a special bond, which should not go underrated in a vote of this nature. He has a real chance to take down Dr. J.
To participate in the Final Four, follow our Twitter page (@SixerSense) and cast your vote!