The Sixer Sense
Fansided

6 Worst Philadelphia 76ers starters of the Allen Iverson era

By Jonathan Geib

PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers gestures to hear cheers from the crowd during the NBA game against the Washington Wizards at First Union Center on March 30, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers won 107-87. 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 (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA - APRIL 16: Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers gestures to hear cheers from the crowd during the NBA game against the Washington Wizards at First Union Center on March 30, 2003 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers won 107-87. 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 (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Sacramento Kings center Vlade Divac (L) crashes into Philadelphia 76ers’ center Matt Geiger in the second quarter on 16 March 2001 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, PA. The Kings won 100-79. AFP PHOTO/TOM MIHALEK (Photo by TOM MIHALEK / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOM MIHALEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Sacramento Kings center Vlade Divac (L) crashes into Philadelphia 76ers’ center Matt Geiger in the second quarter on 16 March 2001 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, PA. The Kings won 100-79. AFP PHOTO/TOM MIHALEK (Photo by TOM MIHALEK / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOM MIHALEK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Matt Geiger (1999-00)

Capping off the list as the worst starter during Iverson’s tenure in Philadelphia is Matt Geiger, perfectly personified in the photo above. Geiger had a relatively quiet 10-year NBA career where he played for the Miami Heat, and Charlotte Hornets, and ended his career with the Sixers from 1998-2002.

Geiger’s best year with the Sixers was 1998-99 when he averaged 13.5 points, and 7.2 rebounds per game as a consistent starter. He would, unfortunately, battle injuries that would force him to retire in 2002, but it was a constant decline from the time he put on a Sixers jersey. In the year in question, he started 20 games alongside Iverson and averaged 9 points and 6 rebounds, respectively per game, and was far from the big man the Sixers were looking to pair with AI to make a deep title run.

Now, in some respects, it could be argued that Geiger should be considered the best starter to ever grace the floor with Iverson because Giger is the unequivocal reason that AI remained in Philly during the offseason of 2000. Geiger refused to waive a trade kicker in his contract that shut down a trade sending AI to the Detroit Pistons.

Everyone knows what happened less than 12 months later. Iverson won the NBA MVP award, and led the Sixers to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1983! All credit to Geiger right? Wrong. Look, Geiger is known for keeping Iverson in Philly which changed the trajectory of both Iverson and the Sixers franchise for years to come.

It is difficult to credit injuries for a player being a disappointment, but the Sixers were also paying Geiger $50+ million, which was absurd for the production he was giving the team. That is a big reason why Geiger tops (or bottoms) off this list.