Like many teams,
a few years back Philadelphia were regularly in the lottery. They had a
plan built around Shawn Bradley, Clarence Weatherspoon and Dana Barros.
That plan didn’t work but when they drafted Allen Iverson, the ball-game
changed. Since then they have traded and signed free agents to complement
him and get them to the top of the standings.
Allen Iverson
joined a team that had Weatherspoon, Jerry Stackhouse and Derrick Coleman
as its main players. Other contributors were Scott Williams and guard Rex
Walters. Philadelphia also signed free agents Lucious Harris and Don MacLean.
Another poor
season resulted in the second pick in the 1997 draft. Philadelphia took
Keith Van Horn and traded him for more depth. They received rookies Tim
Thomas and Anthony Parker, as well as Jim Jackson and Eric Montross. These
players would be used to acquire players like Tyrone Hill and Aaron McKie
later.
With too many
scorers on the team, the 76ers made changes. Stackhouse and Montross went
to Detroit for Theo Ratliff, Aaron McKie and a draft pick. Jackson and
Weatherspoon were sent to Golden State for Joe Smith and Brain Shaw in
a trade that didn’t help either team. A beneficial trade for Philadelphia
occured when they sent a second rounder to Seattle for their bench player,
Eric Snow. Snow has earned a starting spot in Philadelphia with his defense
and team play.
The next year
they added Larry Hughes but he was too similar in style to Iverson. Coleman
left via free agency and Matt Geiger arrived from Charlotte. A move that
worked was the trade of Tim Thomas and Scott Williams to Milwaukee for
Tyrone Hill. Hill gave them the hard worker inside, hitting the boards.
They added more defense and rebounding with the signing of George Lynch.
Philadelphia
now had a playoff team. Iverson was the star. Ratliff and Snow had improved
with more playing time. A mid-season Hughes for Toni Kukoc trade gave Philadelphia
the versatile veteran who could help with ball-handling and scoring.
This year,
they made their big move, sending Ratliff and Kukoc for Dikembe Mutombo.
One of the league’s best rebounders and defenders, Mutombo has made a good
defensive team even better.
But the 76ers
haven’t forgotten about the future. Point guard Speedy Claxton should be
ready to play next year after missing all of 2001 with an injury. Todd
MacCulloch has produced when asked; he is another big body for the 76ers.
Jumaine Jones could be a future star, and Philadelphia also acquired Roshown
McLeod in the Mutombo trade.
It has taken
several seasons but Philadelphia have surrounded their star scorer, Iverson,
with players who can compliment him. An obvious game plan, but perhaps
other teams might want to look into this method of improvement; although
Iverson is a unique player and Philadelphia is a unique team. Defense wins
championships and the 76ers have plenty of defense.
