Wali Jones is one of the city’s greatest basketball players. Jones was a big time player at Overbrook High School and Villanova, along with being a key member of the 1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers NBA championship team.

The sharpshooting guard will be recognized for his basketball exploits. Jones will be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. The ninth induction class was announced on Thursday, July 19 at a press conference. The ceremony will take place on November 8 at the Society Hill Sheraton, 1 Dock Street.

“I’ll be there,” Jones said. “This is a real honor for me. It’s great to be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. They have a lot of great people in their hall of fame like Wilt (Chamberlain) and Billy (Cunningham) who were my teammates with the Philadelphia 76ers championship team.

“I’m going in with some special people like Doug Collins (Sixers coach). Doug and I played together for a year with the Sixers. I know Debbie Black who played at St. Joe’s and in the WNBA. Harold Johnson was a great fighter. Johnny Callison played for the Phillies. Mike Piazza was a great baseball player, too. So, this is really something for me.”

Jones had quite a basketball career. He led Overbrook High to two Public League championships in 1958 and 1959. He played with some great players like the late Walt Hazzard, Ralph Heyward and Wayne Hightower.

The former Public League star played some great basketball at Villanova. He shared the Geasey Awards as Big 5 MVP (1963 and ’64) with Jim Lynam and Steve Courtin, respectively. He was named to the NCAA tournament’s All-East Region team. He finished his college career with 1,428 points. He is a member of the Big 5 Hall of Fame.

Jones played 10 seasons in the NBA with the Baltimore Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons. Jones was a starter on the Sixers championship team, which included Chamberlain, Cunningham, Chet Walker, Hal Greer and Luke Jackson. Jones also played one season with the ABA’s Utah Stars.

For more than 20 years, he worked in community relations with the Miami Heat. He still does basketball clinics for kids around the country. Every year he has the Little Bobby Jones Memorial Basketball Clinic at the Carousel House in Fairmount Park. The Phoenix Club of Philadelphia presents high school basketball awards on an annual basis to some of the area’s top players. The club established the Phoenix Award College Player of the Year in honor of Wali Jones. Michael G. Horsey, who organized the Phoenix Awards, started this award in 2011.

“I really appreciate all these things,” Jones said. “I had a great time at the Phoenix Awards. Mike Horsey does a wonderful job with the high school basketball awards. We had another good year with the Bobby Jones Memorial Basketball Clinic. It’s nice to be recognized by so many good people. I’m looking forward to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. I’m sure I’ll see a lot of people from Philly there. It should be a wonderful event.”

 

Contact Staff Writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The only entity that could outshine Wilt Chamberlain the athlete is Wilt Chamberlain the man.

The athlete is known for the seminal 100-point game on March 2, 1962, against the New York Knicks, and for setting 128 professional basketball records — 98 of which are still standing.

But the man is known for much more than grabbing more than 50 rebounds in a game versus Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics; Chamberlain’s mark truly lies in his philanthropy, as he donated his time, money and celebrity status to dozens of charities throughout his life.

And it’s in the spirit of that life that The Wilton Norman Chamberlain Postal Stamp Committee held a luncheon in his honor Friday at the District Square Plaza. The gathering was also designed to bring more attention to the committee’s drive to have the United States Postal Service issue a stamp honoring the “Big Dipper.”

City basketball icons Billy Cunningham and John Chaney served as co-hosts for the luncheon, which included a virtual parade of friends and peers who knew Wilt — his sister, Selina Chamberlain-Gross, gave he invocation.

“There were eighty to a hundred charities Wilt was dedicated to,” Cunningham said. “There were so many parts of Wilt. He certainly left this world a better place than he found it.”
Chaney, in his own unique way, paid homage to perhaps the greatest basketball player this city has ever produced by blurting out, “Wilt owes me money!” Once the laughter died down, though, Chaney grew serious when he talked about the impact Wilt had, not only on the basketball court, but in virtually every other aspect of life as well.

“Wilt is one of the greatest philanthropists … the city is not aware of his great philanthropy,” Chaney said. “Wilt was a person who had a vision, and I was impressed by how he was able to think so many years ahead. Wilt was someone very special.”

Chaney and others spoke of the good works done by the Wilt Chamberlain Memorial Fund, which has granted scholarships to deserving students throughout the years.

Essence White, an engineering major at Smith University, is one of the students assisted by the fund, and sent a note of gratitude. “I give great thanks to the Wilt Chamberlain Foundation for helping me,” the note read in part. “I hope to one day give back to the youths the same way the foundation gave to me.”

One would think Chamberlain is deserving of a stamp on the sheer strength of his community involvement and giveback nature alone. Factor in Wilt’s mastery of the game of basketball, and he should be considered a shoo-in.

“He was a special guy who did special things,” said current Temple basketball coach Fran Dunphy, who has Temple’s basketball team nationally ranked for he first time since Chaney stalked the sidelines. “He was just way too great a man for me to say anything important about.”

Fran, like many of Wilt’s peers and teammates, recalled how truly unstoppable Wilt was on the court.

Chamberlain was born on August 21, 1936, and once the graceful seven-footer took up basketball, he immediately put his school — Overbrook High School — and then his college — Kansas State — on the basketball map.

After leaving KSU, Chamberlain joined the Globetrotters before joining the National Association of Basketball’s Philadelphia Warriors, and it’s here that more casual fans pick up on Chamberlain’s career. Chamberlain went on to play in the league for 14 years, and remains the only professional basketball player to have his jersey number retired by every team he played for.

Chamberlain was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979, and in 1996, was named as one of the 50 greatest players of all time.

Chamberlain’s still-standing records may indeed never be broken. Only Kobe Bryant’s 81 points scored in a game comes close to Chamberlain’s 100; that same year, Chamberlain had a 50-point scoring average. He also has a record 55 rebounds in a game against Russell and the Celtics, and 1959, Chamberlain was Rookie of the Year, league MVP and MVP of the NBA All-Star Game.

Wilt also sponsored an all-women’s track team, “Wilt’s Wonder Women,” which counted Olympians Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Florence Griffith-Joyner as members.

“Nobody was bigger than Wilt,” said former Harlem Globetrotter Carl Green, who would play pick-up ball in New York City with Wilt, at the height of the Philly vs. new York basketball rivalry. “I’m older than Wilt, but the things he taught me; and his family treated me like family.”

Former Knick and Los Angeles’ Laker Tom Hoover drew laughter when he recalled that Chamberlain was once going to fight Muhammad Ali. “I told Wilt, you can make this fight happen, and we can make some money, but Ali is going to kick your ass,” Hoover recalled. “Just like you and I have played basketball all our lives, Ali has been boxing all of his.” Luckily, Hoover and others were able to talk Chamberlain out of it.

“We developed a friendship over the years … he was a humanitarian, he helped everybody,” Hoover said. “The big fella — he was a beautiful person.”

Sill, everything rotated back to that magical night 50 years ago.

Harvey Pollack, the Philadelphia 76ers’ longtime director of statistical information was the one who gave Chamberlain the piece of paper with “100” scribbled on it. Chamberlain is holding that sheet of paper aloft in one of his more famous pictures. Pollack was busy with a number of jobs during the game.

“There never was a greater player than Wilt,” Pollack said, noting that Chamberlain would have had even more records had the league tracked blocked shots and that, as a center, he once led the league in assists. “He played 50 years ago, but most of his records still stand.”

Many politicians voiced their legislative support, then talk turned to making Chamberlain’s appearance on a postage stamp a reality. U.S. Rep. Robert Brady recalled being a kid in the Overbrook Park section of the city, with “passing the ball to Wilt Chamberlain” was his greatest athletic moment as a young man. Brady stated that last year he introduced House Bill 71, which calls for the postal service to issue the stamp.

State Representative Ronald G. Waters also presented citations to the stamp committee and Chamberlain’s family.

“We will get this done,” said Waters. “Because it’s well deserved, and the right thing to do.”

Those on the postal stamp committee sounded optimistic that something can be done, and soon. The committee has been at work for roughly three years now, and hope for the issuance of the stamp in the next year or two.

“We have been on this journey for a while,” said stamp committee chairman Roger C. Bogle. “And I can say we are under consideration for the stamp.”

Committee member Michael Bruton spelled it out further.

“I believe we’re on track,” Bruton said, noting that people can also sign the petition online. “And it’s important to hear from influential people. Brady and several others have written letters, including former governor Ed Rendell and NBA Commissioner David Stern. We feel that should help.”

Legendary sports writer and postal stamp committee co-chairman Donald Hunt agreed.

“The key word here is ‘deserved,’ not just for his game but for the man he was,” Hunt said, while mentioning that the committee has amassed roughly 55,000 signatures so far. “It’s our hope that we can get something done, sooner rather than later.”  

Team celebrates half century in Philadelphia

 

The Philadelphia 76ers are celebrating their 50th season in Philadelphia this year. Before coming to Philly and becoming the 76ers in 1963, the franchise was known as the Syracuse Nationals and played there for 14 seasons, winning an NBA title in 1955.

Since then, the Sixers have won two NBA championships in Philadelphia in 1967 and 1983. The franchise has produced a lot of outstanding players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Billy Cunningham, Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson.

The Philadelphia Tribune has selected 50 players over the last half century who should bring back some great memories for fans.

Wilt Chamberlain

7-1, 275 pound center

Chamberlain was undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time. He led the 76ers to an NBA championship in 1966-67. He averaged 24.1 points a game that season. That team was voted one of the top 10 greatest teams in NBA history.

Julius Erving

6-6, 200 pound forward

Erving was one of the game’s most spectacular players. He guided the Sixers to the 1983 NBA title. Fans will always remember his spectacular dunk over Lakers guard Michael Cooper.

Moses Malone

6-10, 275 pound center

Malone was the missing piece to the Sixers championship puzzle in 1983. He was a great scorer and rebounder. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Billy Cunningham

6-6, 220 pound forward

Cunningham was one of the greatest sixth men in NBA history. He averaged 18.5 points a game for the 76ers 1966-67 championship team. He won a championship as a player and coach in the Sixers organization.

Hal Greer

6-2, 175 pound guard

Greer was a tremendous shooter from 15 feet. Once he got his feet set he rarely missed a shot. He was a key player on the Sixers 1966-67 championship team.

Chet Walker

6-61/2, 215 pound forward

Walker was recently inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was a great player on the Sixers 1966-67 championship team. Walker was known for backing his man down and shooting the fade away shot.

Charles Barkley

6-5, 250 pound forward

Barkley was a special player with his size. He had the ability to get position around the basket against anybody. Barkley could really jump and dunk the basketball and was a great rebounder. During the 1985-86 season, he grabbed 1,026 rebounds.

Allen Iverson

6-0, 175 pound guard

Iverson was a scoring machine. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft. He could break his man down and take the ball to the basket like no other. Iverson led the 2001 Sixers to the NBA Finals. He was an MVP and four-time NBA scoring champion.

Maurice Cheeks

6-1, 180 pound guard

Cheeks was a great floor general. He looked for the open man. He didn’t turn the ball over. A lot of fans will remember the dunk he had in the final game of the Sixers NBA championship series victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in 1983.

Andrew Toney

6-3, 185 pound guard

Toney had a great first step off the dribble. He could shoot from long range. Unfortunately, injuries to both feet shortened his career. Toney was a big part of the Sixers 1983 championship team. In 1982 he scored 34 points against the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to lead the Sixers to victory.

Wali Jones

6-2, 180 pound guard

Jones played in the backcourt with Hal Greer on the Sixers 1966-67 NBA championship team. He was a great ballhandler, shooter and defender. Jones was a hometown favorite. He was a big star at Overbrook High and Villanova.

Bobby Jones

6-9, 210 pound forward

Jones was a tremendous defensive player. He usually guarded the opposing team’s best scorer. He was the sixth man on the Sixers 1983 NBA championship team.

Luke Jackson

6-9, 250 pound forward

Jackson was a rugged rebounder. If Wilt Chamberlain didn’t get the rebound, that meant Jackson usually had it. He was the starting power forward on the Sixers 1966-67 NBA championship team.

Archie Clark

6-2, 175 pound guard

Clark was known for his shake and go moves. He used to make some terrific moves to the basket. Clark also played in the Baker League during the summer months.

Doug Collins

6-6, 180 pound guard

Collins was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1973 NBA Draft. He did a great job of getting open for his shots. He moved well without the ball. He was a good shooter. He played on the Sixers 1976-77 team that reached the NBA Finals. He’s now the Sixers head coach.

George McGinnis

6-8, 235 pound forward

McGinnis helped put the Sixers back on the NBA map. McGinnis and Julius Erving led the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 1977. He was known for his one hand push shots. He could handle the ball, too.

Andre Iguodala

6-6, 207 pound guard

Iguodala was traded to the Denver Nuggets this past summer. He spent eight seasons with the Sixers. Iguodala had arguably his best season last year, leading the Sixers to a first round playoff series win over the Chicago Bulls. He was named to the all-star team and won a gold medal with the U.S. Olympic basketball team.

Aaron McKie

6-5, 209 pound guard

McKie played eight years with the Sixers. He was a real fan favorite growing up in Philly playing at Simon Gratz and Temple. In 2001, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year. He also helped the Sixers get to the NBA Finals. He’s now an assistant coach with the Sixers.

Dikembe Mutombo

7-2, 260 pound center

Mutombo was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. He was a great shotblocker and rebounder. He played on the Sixers team that reached the 2001 NBA Finals.

Caldwell Jones

6-11, 217 pound center

Jones was a terrific defender. He had great timing in terms of shotblocking. He played on three Sixers teams that went to the NBA Finals.

Darryl Dawkins

6-11, 250 pound center

Dawkins was known for his spectacular dunks. In fact, he had names for some of his dunks like Chocolate Thunder, Spine-Chiller Supreme and Sir Slam. He played on some of the Sixers best teams.

World B. Free

6-2, 185 pound guard

When he first came to Philly, he was known as Lloyd Free. He’s now World B. Free. He used to shoot those rainbow jumpshots. He was a magnificent scorer. He scored 17,955 career points.

Ron Anderson

6-7, 215 pound forward

Anderson was one of the great sixth men in the Sixers organization. He played with Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn.

Fred Carter

6-3, 185 pound guard

Carter played on the Sixers 1972-73 team that had a horrible 9-73 record. He was the best player on that team. He averaged 20.0 points a game that season. Carter also played with Doug Collins and George McGinnis on the Sixers 1975-76 playoff team that lost to the Buffalo Braves in a best of three games series.

Rick Mahorn

6-10, 260 pound center

Mahorn and Charles Barkley formed one of the toughest frontcourts in the NBA. They were known as “Thump and Bump.” Mahorn was a very physical player around the basket.

Armen Gilliam

6-9, 250 pound forward

Gilliam was a great low post player. He was a good scorer. He played three seasons with the Sixers. He played with Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn. Gilliam passed away in 2011.

Hersey Hawkins

6-3, 190 pound guard

Hawkins was a good shooting guard. He played on three playoff teams. He averaged 20.3 points a game his final season (1992-93) with the Sixers.

Andre Miller

6-2, 200 pound guard

Miller had great three years with the Sixers. Two of those years, the Sixers made the playoffs. He was a sensational point guard. He’s still one of the league’s savvy playmakers.

Steve Mix

6-7, 215 pound forward

Mix had a special place on the court. It was called Mixville. It was in the corner on the right hand side of the basket. That’s where he scored most of his points. He played nine seasons with the Sixers.

Jerry Stackhouse

6-6, 218 pound guard

Stackhouse was a first round pick of the Sixers in 1995. He played two seasons with the Sixers. In 1996, Stackhouse and Allen Iverson both averaged over 20 points a game. They were one of the NBA’s top scoring backcourts.

Clarence Weatherspoon

6-7, 240 pound forward

Weatherspoon played six years with the Sixers. He usually had to play against players a lot bigger than him up front. Nevertheless, Weatherspoon had some big years with the Sixers. In 1994, he averaged 18.4 points a game.

Lou Williams

6-1, 175 pound guard

Williams played seven seasons with the Sixers. He signed with the Atlanta Hawks over the summer. Williams was a second round pick of the Sixers right out of South Gwinnett High School near Atlanta, Ga. He could shoot the basketball. He led the Sixers in scoring (14.9) off the bench last season.

Eric Snow

6-3, 204 pound guard

Snow was the floor leader on the Sixers 2001 NBA Finals team. He was a tough defender. He took care of the ball. Snow did a good job of getting the ball to Allen Iverson in scoring position.

Dana Barros

5-11, 165 pound guard

Barros could really shoot the basketball. He played just two seasons with the Sixers. He averaged 20.6 points a game in 1994-95. He also made the all-star team in 1995.

Elton Brand

6-9, 254 pound forward

Brand was a big free agent signing in 2008. He had shoulder surgery in 2009, but bounced back from the injury to play some good basketball for the Sixers during his four years. The team released him last summer with the NBA’s amnesty clause. He now plays for the Dallas Mavericks.

Derrick Coleman

6-10, 270 pound forward

Coleman could play inside as well as outside. He could handle the ball. He had some of his best games in the playoffs.

Johnny Dawkins

6-2, 170 pound guard

Dawkins played in the backcourt with Hersey Hawkins. They formed a tandem of Dawkins and Hawkins. Dawkins also played with Charles Barkley and Rick Mahorn. He’s now the head basketball coach at Stanford.

Willie Green

6-3, 201 pound guard

Green played seven seasons with the Sixers. He was a solid player. Green was a second round pick out of Detroit Mercy. He started and came in off the bench for the Sixers.

Lionel Hollins

6-3, 185 pound guard

Hollins played on two great Sixers teams. In 1980, he helped the Sixers get to the NBA Finals. He brought a lot of experience with him from Portland where he guided the Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title. He played in the backcourt with Maurice Cheeks. He’s now the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Larry Costello

6-1, 190 pound guard

Costello played for head coach Alex Hannum with the Sixers. He played on the Sixers 1966-67 NBA championship team. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles tendon that season. He had a good career as a player. He also was an NBA head coach with the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.

Theo Ratliff

6-10, 225 pound forward

Ratliff was a great defender and rebounder. He could run the floor. He had two stints with the Sixers. He played well both times.

Mike Gminski

6-11, 250 pound center

Gminski played with Rick Mahorn and Charles Barkley. The Sixers had a solid frontline with him. He had the ability to step out and hit the 12 to 13 foot shot. He played four seasons with the Sixers.

Harvey Catchings

6-9, 218 pound forward

Catchings could really jump. He was a great shotblocker. He ran the floor. He hustled for loose balls. He played five seasons for the Sixers (1974-79). Catchings played on the Sixers 1977 team that went to the NBA Finals.

Joe Bryant

6-9, 200 pound forward

Bryant played four seasons with the Sixers. He was a very popular high school player at Bartram and La Salle respectively. He played on the 1977 NBA Finals team, which featured Julius Erving, George McGinnis and Doug Collins. Bryant came off the bench with Darryl Dawkins and World B. Free. Of course, he’s the father of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

Jeff Hornacek

6-4, 190 pound guard

Hornacek came to the Sixers from the Phoenix Suns in the Charles Barkley deal. He spent two seasons in Philly. In 1993, he had his best season averaging 19.1 points a game.

Jeff Malone

6-4, 205 pound guard

Malone played three seasons for the Sixers. He was a great shooter. He had a knack of getting open for his shots by using picks. In 1995, he averaged 18.4 points a game.

Sedale Threatt

6-2, 185 pound guard

Threatt was a sixth round pick out of West Virginia Tech by the Sixers in the 1983 NBA draft. He came into camp and landed a spot with the Sixers. Threatt played four seasons with the Sixers. He also played in the Charles Baker League during the summer months.

Henry Bibby

6-1, 185 pound guard

Bibby was an All-American at UCLA. He won three NCAA championships. He won a NBA championship with the New York Knicks. He played on two Sixers teams, which advanced to the NBA Finals (’77, ’80). He was a good ballhandler with a nice touch from long range.

George Lynch

6-8, 230 pound forward

Lynch did all the little things to help the Sixers get to the 2001 NBA Finals. He played defense, rebounded and hit some timely jumpshots. He was a big contributor.

Earl Cureton

6-9, 210 pound forward

Cureton was good player off the bench. He played defense, rebounded and went after loose balls. Cureton’s big moment came during the Sixers championship run in 1983. He hit a hook shot over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the shot clock winding down in the second game of the championship series. It was a big play for him as well as the Sixers.

The Sixers open their 50th season on October 31 when they host the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center.

 

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Wali Jones will be conducting the 10th annual “Little” Bobby Jones Memorial Clinic and Educational Workshop at the Carousel House, 4300 Avenue of the Republic, in Fairmount Park. The event will take place Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with a basketball clinic for the special population kids.

There will be a special recognition ceremony for Fred McCray and Levi Bowen at the event. McCray and Bowen will be honored for their support over the years. They both have served for many years as recreational center directors. The awards ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. After the presentation, there will be a student-athlete workshop and basketball clinic.

Jones, former Overbrook High, Villanova and NBA star, looks forward to this day every year. He has received quite a bit of support from family members Ernest Jones, Wilma Jones, Bobby Jones Jr. and Bill Jones over the years.

Everybody remembers Wali Jones in this town. He was an All-Public League standout at Overbrook High School. After that, he played for Villanova and was an All-Big 5 star. Of course, most people remember his playing days with the Philadelphia 76ers. Jones played on the 1966–67 NBA championship team, which featured Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, Chet Walker and Luke Jackson. For 20 years, he was a community affairs liaison with the Miami Heat.

This is a special event for the kids as well as the community. Jones really enjoys giving back. The nice thing about the event, which doesn’t get publicized as much, is the legendary basketball players who come out to the Carousel House. Three years ago, Jones brought the late Walt Hazzard to the basketball clinic along with Overbrook High’s Michael Jordan. A year ago, he recognized James “Tee” Parham as a Philadelphia basketball legend. Parham was a terrific player at Northeast High. He also played some great basketball in the independent leagues for several years.

These basketball greats attract other players from all across the city. The gymnasium inside the Carousel House is packed with former high school, college and NBA greats. They all come back to see people they haven’t seen in years. It’s one of the best basketball reunions in the city.

The former players hang around the recreation center for most of the day. Then, they go across the street in Fairmount Park where they have a barbecue that lasts well into the afternoon. More than 100 people are out there just having a good time, taking pictures and sharing some great basketball stories from back in the day.

This event has made a big difference in the community. It teaches kids about the fundamentals of the game. Jones has some great clinicians that work with him like Bill Baggett, Ken Hamilton, Bobby Jones Jr. and others. They also stress the importance of receiving a good education. They want the young people to know that basketball and academics will open doors for them down the road. Moreover, the message is delivered by a number of former players who come out to the event.

 

Contact staff writer Donald Hunt at (215) 893-5719 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Philadelphia 76ers’ final home game this Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers will have plenty of significance. The Sixers will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1982-83 NBA championship team. The ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 14 at the Wells Fargo Center at 3:30 p.m. The team will be honored at halftime.

The members of the Sixers 1982-83 team expected to be in attendance include former players Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Moses Malone, Clemon Johnson, Clint Richardson, Franklin Edwards, Reggie Johnson and Earl Cureton. Also expected is Pat Williams, the general manager of that team, and John Kilbourne, who was the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

Pro basketball was really big in Philadelphia at that time. The Sixers had a great rivalry with the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. Actually, the year before they won the championship the Sixers had lost to the Lakers in six games in the NBA Finals.

The Sixers made a huge trade during the offseason to acquire Malone, an all-star center from the Houston Rockets. Malone joined Erving, Maurice Cheeks, Andrew Toney and Bobby Jones. The starting lineup was Malone, Erving, Cheeks, Toney and Marc Iavorini. Jones was the sixth man. That was a tremendous team. The Sixers sent four players — Erving, Malone, Cheeks and Toney to the all-star game that season. In addition, Billy Cunningham, Sixers head coach, was the coach of the Eastern Conference all-stars during that year.

The Sixers had a great backcourt with Cheeks at point guard and Toney at shooting guard. Erving was a spectacular small forward. Malone was a dominant center who could play defense, score and rebound. Iavorini was a power forward who did all the little things to help the team win as the perfect role player.

The Sixers finished the regular season with an impressive 65-17 record. They had the best record in the league. Malone had his famous saying, “Fo’, fo’, fo,’” on the Sixers way to the championship. The team came really close to that prediction. They finished with a sensational postseason mark of 14-1. In the first playoff series, the Sixers swept the New York Knicks 4-0. Then, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 to win that series. After that, the team got the brooms out again for the Lakers sweeping 4-0 to win the NBA crown. The 1982-83 team has the best playoff record in NBA history.

Following 25 seasons in New York, the Syracuse Nationals move to Philly in 1963, which is now 50 seasons of pro basketball in this town. The Sixers have produced some of the greatest players in NBA history such as Chamberlain, Erving, Malone, Cunningham, Cheeks, Toney, Hal Greer, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson and others. The Sixers hold the third most playoff appearances and third most wins in league history.

NOTES: All fans in attendance will receive a commemorative poster of the 1982-83 team. Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter will present a proclamation to the team and declare the day “Philadelphia 76ers 1982-1983 Day.” Mayor Nutter will also present a second proclamation to the Sixers owners.