Philadelphia 76ers History: From the Syracuse Nationals to Three NBA Championships
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the NBA’s oldest and most historically important franchises. Their story actually begins in Syracuse, New York, in 1946, when Danny Biasone founded the Syracuse Nationals. The franchise joined the NBA in 1949, won a championship in Syracuse in 1955, moved to Philadelphia in 1963, and became the 76ers.
Since then, Philadelphia has been home to Wilt Chamberlain, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson and Joel Embiid.
The franchise has won three NBA championships: 1955, 1967 and 1983.
From the Syracuse Nationals to the Philadelphia 76ers
Danny Biasone Builds the Franchise
On November 14, 1946, Danny Biasone founded the Syracuse Nationals, sending a $5,000 check to the National Basketball League.
Biasone wasn’t merely an owner. He became one of basketball’s most important innovators.
He and general manager Leo Ferris developed the concept of the 24-second shot clock, which transformed professional basketball from a slow, possession-oriented game into the faster sport fans recognize today.
The Nationals joined the NBA in 1949 when the NBL and Basketball Association of America merged.
The franchise reached the NBA Finals several times before finally winning its first championship in 1955, defeating the Fort Wayne Pistons in seven games.
The Franchise’s Ownership History
The 76ers’ ownership history is unusual because the franchise has had relatively few ownership changes over more than 75 years.
Danny Biasone — 1946-1963
Biasone founded and owned the Syracuse Nationals.
He remained the franchise’s principal owner until the team was sold and moved to Philadelphia.
Ike Richman and Irv Kosloff — 1963-1976
In 1963, Philadelphia businessmen Ike Richman and Irv Kosloff purchased the Nationals from Biasone.
They moved the franchise to Philadelphia and renamed it the 76ers. Their ownership produced one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
The 1966-67 76ers went 68-13, then defeated the San Francisco Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Fitz Eugene Dixon Jr. — 1976-1981 Fitz Dixon purchased the 76ers from Kosloff in 1976.
One of his first major moves was acquiring Julius Erving from the New York Nets.
That transaction changed the franchise.
Harold Katz — 1981-1996
Katz purchased the team from Dixon in 1981.
He was the owner when Philadelphia acquired Moses Malone and won the 1983 NBA championship.
Comcast Spectacor — 1996-2011
Comcast Spectacor purchased the 76ers from Katz in 1996.
The company was led by Philadelphia sports executive Ed Snider.
The organization owned the club during the early Allen Iverson years, including Philadelphia’s run to the 2001 NBA Finals.
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — 2011-present
In 2011, an investment group led by Josh Harris and David Blitzer purchased the 76ers from Comcast Spectacor. Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment remains the controlling ownership group.
Every Major 76ers Home Arena
Because the franchise began as the Syracuse Nationals, its home-arena history stretches back to the 1940s.
State Fair Coliseum — Syracuse
The Nationals played some of their earliest games at the State Fair Coliseum.
War Memorial Arena — Syracuse
The Oncenter War Memorial Arena, originally the War Memorial, became an important Nationals home. It was the setting for the franchise’s first NBA championship in 1955.
Philadelphia Civic Center / Convention Hall
After moving to Philadelphia in 1963, the new 76ers initially played at Philadelphia’s Civic Center and Convention Hall. The building hosted the team’s early Philadelphia years, including the beginning of the Wilt Chamberlain era.
The Spectrum — 1967-1996
The 76ers moved into the Spectrum in 1967.
This became the home of the greatest team in franchise history up to that point.
The 1967 championship team played its first Spectrum season immediately after winning the title. The Spectrum later became home to the Julius Erving and Moses Malone era.
The Center — 1996-1997
The new South Philadelphia arena opened in 1996 as the CoreStates Center.
It subsequently became the First Union Center and then the Wachovia Center.
The 76ers played there during the beginning of the Allen Iverson era.
Wells Fargo Center — 2010-2025
The arena eventually became the Wells Fargo Center.
It was the home of the 76ers through the 2024-25 season.
Xfinity Mobile Arena — 2025-present
The arena was renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena effective September 1, 2025.
It remains the 76ers’ home in the 2026-27 season.
A new arena is currently planned for Philadelphia’s South Philadelphia sports complex, with the project currently scheduled to open in 2030 according to the latest announcement.
The Greatest 76ers Draft Picks
Philadelphia has had some spectacular drafts, although some of its most important players — Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving and Moses Malone — arrived through other means. Here are several of the franchise’s most important draft selections.
Dolph Schayes
Schayes was selected by the Syracuse Nationals in 1948.
He became the foundation of the franchise’s first great era.
He played 15 seasons with the franchise, made 12 All-Star teams and eventually became a Hall of Famer.
His No. 4 is retired by Philadelphia. Verdict:
Outstanding success.
Schayes was the first true superstar in franchise history.
Billy Cunningham — 1965
Philadelphia selected Cunningham fifth overall in the 1965 NBA Draft.
“The Kangaroo Kid” became one of the most important players in franchise history.
He made four All-NBA teams, became an All-Star and eventually coached the 76ers to the 1983 championship.
Verdict
Outstanding success.
He succeeded both as a player and coach.
Darryl Dawkins — 1975
Philadelphia selected Darryl Dawkins fifth overall in 1975.
He was also one of the first major players to enter the NBA directly from high school.
Dawkins became famous for his spectacular dunks and helped Philadelphia reach the 1977 NBA Finals. His career never reached the statistical level some expected from such a physically gifted player, but he became one of the most entertaining players of his generation.
Verdict
Successful, but not fully realized potential.
Charles Barkley — 1984
Philadelphia selected Barkley fifth overall in one of the greatest drafts in NBA history.
Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton and Barkley all came from that draft.
Barkley immediately became an important player.
He eventually averaged 23.3 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in eight seasons with Philadelphia. He became an 11-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team selection.
The problem was that Philadelphia never built a championship team around him after the 1983 generation faded. Barkley eventually went to Phoenix, where he won the 1992-93 NBA MVP in his first season with the Suns.
Verdict
One of the greatest draft selections in franchise history — but Philadelphia did not get the championship that his talent suggested was possible.
Allen Iverson — 1996
The 76ers selected Allen Iverson first overall in 1996.
It was one of the most consequential selections in franchise history.
Iverson won:
Rookie of the Year
NBA MVP
Four scoring titles
Three steals titles
11 All-Star selections
Seven All-NBA selections
In 2001, he led Philadelphia to the NBA Finals.
He averaged 31.1 points per game while winning MVP and both the scoring and steals titles.
Verdict
Franchise-changing success.
Iverson became the face of Philadelphia basketball.
Joel Embiid — 2014
Philadelphia selected Joel Embiid third overall in 2014.
The selection was extremely risky.
Embiid had significant injury concerns and ultimately missed his first two NBA seasons.
But once healthy, he became one of the most dominant centers in basketball.
In 2022-23, Embiid averaged:
33.1 points
10.2 rebounds
4.2 assists
and won the NBA MVP award.
Verdict
Outstanding individual success, although his Philadelphia career has also been affected by injuries and postseason disappointment.
Tyrese Maxey — 2020
Philadelphia selected Maxey 21st overall in 2020.
Unlike Iverson, Embiid or Barkley, Maxey was not a top-five selection.
He developed into an important scorer and playmaker and eventually became an All-Star.
Verdict
One of Philadelphia’s most successful recent draft-development stories.
Mikal Bridges: A Special Draft-Day Story
Philadelphia selected Mikal Bridges 10th overall in 2018.
Bridges had attended Villanova and was viewed as a perfect local success story.
But Philadelphia immediately traded him to Phoenix. He subsequently developed into an excellent NBA wing. The NBA’s draft history notes that Bridges was selected by Philadelphia before being traded on draft night and later became a successful NBA player with Phoenix, Brooklyn and New York.
Verdict
This is one of the most interesting “what if?” moments in modern 76ers draft history.
Philadelphia technically drafted Bridges but never gave him a chance to play for the team.
The 76ers Players Traded Away Before Becoming Stars
Philadelphia’s history includes several fascinating examples of players who became substantially more successful after leaving the organization.
Nikola Vučević
Philadelphia drafted Vučević 16th overall in 2011.
He played only one season for the 76ers before becoming part of the trade that brought Andre Iguodala-era Philadelphia pieces toward the Dwight Howard deal.
In Orlando, Vučević developed into a two-time All-Star.
What happened? Philadelphia did not necessarily know that the young center would become an All-Star. His development accelerated after receiving a much larger role in Orlando.
Jrue Holiday
Philadelphia selected Jrue Holiday 17th overall in 2009. Holiday became an excellent two-way guard in Philadelphia. He was traded to New Orleans in 2013.
He later became a multiple-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s premier defensive guards.
Holiday is an interesting case because he was already very good when traded; his greatest overall development came later.
Michael Carter-Williams
Philadelphia selected Carter-Williams 11th overall in 2013. He won Rookie of the Year.
Philadelphia then traded him during the 2014-15 season. He never developed into the long-term star some expected, making him a cautionary example rather than a classic “future superstar” loss.
Mikal Bridges
Bridges is perhaps the clearest recent example. Philadelphia drafted him and traded him immediately. He went on to become a major NBA starter and All-Star.
The situation is especially memorable because Bridges was a Philadelphia-area college star at Villanova.
Charles Barkley
Barkley is another special case. Philadelphia did not trade him before he became a star.
He became a star in Philadelphia, but the 76ers eventually traded him to Phoenix in 1992.
One year later, he won MVP with the Suns. That makes Barkley part of a different category: a superstar Philadelphia developed but could not keep through the remainder of his prime.
The Five 76ers I Would Put at the Top
Rather than ranking them numerically, these five represent the franchise’s most significant combination of individual greatness, Philadelphia accomplishments and historical importance.
1. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt’s Philadelphia career was relatively short, but his impact was enormous.
Philadelphia acquired him from the Warriors in 1965. In 1966-67, he led the 76ers to a 68-13 record and the NBA championship. He won three consecutive MVP awards while with Philadelphia.
2. Julius Erving
Dr. J played 11 seasons in Philadelphia. He won the 1981 NBA MVP and led the franchise to the 1983 championship. He was an All-Star every season he played for Philadelphia. He also transformed the visual style of professional basketball.
3. Moses Malone
Moses arrived in Philadelphia in 1982 and immediately produced one of the greatest individual seasons in franchise history.
He won the 1983 MVP.
Then he won Finals MVP.
Then the Sixers won the championship.
Philadelphia went 65-17 in the regular season and 12-1 in the playoffs.
4. Allen Iverson
Iverson became the face of the franchise during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
His 2000-01 season was extraordinary.
He won MVP and carried Philadelphia to the NBA Finals.
His 48-point performance in Game 1 against the Lakers remains one of the most famous games in franchise history.
5. Hal Greer
Greer represents the great Philadelphia teams of the 1960s. He played 15 seasons with the franchise and became its leading scorer before being surpassed by later generations.
He was a central member of the 1967 championship team. His No. 15 is retired.
Other Players Who Belong in the Conversation
The franchise’s history is so deep that leaving players out is difficult.
Charles Barkley, Joel Embiid, Billy Cunningham, Maurice Cheeks, Dolph Schayes and Bobby Jones all have legitimate claims to being among the franchise’s most important players.
The NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team included nine players associated with Philadelphia: Barkley, Chamberlain, Cunningham, Erving, Greer, Malone, Iverson, McAdoo and Schayes.
The 76ers’ NBA MVP Winners
Philadelphia has had an extraordinary collection of MVP seasons.
Player
MVP Seasons as a 76er
Wilt Chamberlain
1965-66, 1966-67, 1967-68
Julius Erving
1980-81
Moses Malone
1982-83
Allen Iverson
2000-01
Joel Embiid
2022-23
That’s seven MVP awards by five different players.
The NBA’s official MVP history confirms all seven Philadelphia MVP seasons.
An interesting fact is that Moses Malone won three MVPs during his career, but only one came as a 76er. His other two came with Houston.
Other Major Award Winners
The 76ers have also produced winners of several other major NBA awards.
Rookie of the Year
Dolph Schayes — 1949, as a Syracuse National
Billy Cunningham — 1966
Allen Iverson — 1997
Michael Carter-Williams — 2014
Defensive Player of the Year
Dikembe Mutombo — 2001
Mutombo won the award while helping Philadelphia reach the NBA Finals.
Sixth Man of the Year
Aaron McKie — 2001
The 2000-01 76ers were remarkable because they produced four major NBA award winners in the same season: Iverson won MVP, Mutombo won Defensive Player of the Year, McKie won Sixth Man and Larry Brown won Coach of the Year.
Coach of the Year
Dolph Schayes — 1966
Larry Brown — 2001
The Most Notable 76ers Coaches
Al Cervi
Cervi coached the Syracuse Nationals to a 51-13 record in their first NBA season.
He helped establish the franchise as an early NBA power.
Alex Hannum
Hannum coached the 1966-67 76ers.
That team went 68-13 and won the championship.
Hannum’s greatest contribution was getting Wilt Chamberlain to play a more team-oriented offensive game. The result was one of the greatest teams in NBA history.
Billy Cunningham
Cunningham was both a great player and an outstanding coach.
He coached Philadelphia to the 1983 championship. The Sixers went 65-17 during the regular season and dominated the playoffs.
Larry Brown
Brown coached the 76ers from 1997 through 2003.
He built a defense-first team around Allen Iverson.
In 2001, Brown won Coach of the Year while leading Philadelphia to 56 victories and the NBA Finals.
Doug Collins
Collins coached the Sixers from 2010-2013 and helped restore the team to playoff relevance.
Doc Rivers
Rivers coached Philadelphia from 2020-2023, producing several strong regular seasons.
Nick Nurse
Nurse became Philadelphia’s head coach in 2023. His coaching tenure represents the latest major chapter of the Embiid era.
The Three NBA Championships
The 76ers have won three NBA championships.
1955 — Syracuse Nationals
The franchise’s first championship came while the team was still the Syracuse Nationals.
They defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons in seven games.
This title is officially part of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise history.
1967 — The Wilt Chamberlain 76ers
This may have been the greatest team in franchise history.
Philadelphia went:
68-13
The team defeated Boston in the playoffs, ending the Celtics’ remarkable run of eight consecutive championships.
Philadelphia then defeated San Francisco in six games.
The 1967 team was later voted the greatest team in NBA history during the league’s 35th-anniversary celebration.
1983 — The Moses Malone 76ers
The 1983 team may have been the most dominant postseason team in franchise history.
Philadelphia went:
65-17 in the regular season
and:
12-1 in the playoffs.
Moses Malone famously predicted: “Fo’, fo’, fo’.” He expected Philadelphia to sweep every playoff series. They didn’t quite do that, going 12-1. But they did sweep the Lakers in the Finals. Malone won both regular-season MVP and Finals MVP.
The 2001 Finals Run
Philadelphia’s fourth championship didn’t happen, but the 2001 season became one of the franchise’s most memorable.
Allen Iverson won MVP.
Larry Brown won Coach of the Year.
Dikembe Mutombo won Defensive Player of the Year.
Aaron McKie won Sixth Man of the Year.
Philadelphia won 56 games.
Then the Sixers defeated Indiana, Toronto and Milwaukee to reach the NBA Finals.
Their opponent was the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
The Most Outstanding Play in 76ers History
There are two overwhelming candidates.
Julius Erving’s 1980 baseline reverse layup.
And:
Allen Iverson’s 2001 step-over of Tyronn Lue.
For pure basketball artistry, I would give the honor to Dr. J’s baseline move.
For cultural impact, Iverson’s play may be the winner.
Julius Erving’s Baseline Move
Game 4 of the 1980 NBA Finals.
Philadelphia was playing the Los Angeles Lakers.
Erving drove along the baseline.
He appeared to be trapped.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar moved across to stop him.
Erving was already airborne.
Instead of coming back toward the middle, he somehow floated behind the backboard.
He then extended his arm around the other side of the basket and softly flipped the ball into the hoop.
It looked physically impossible.
NBA.com calls it one of the most spectacular shots in NBA history.
Magic Johnson, who was a rookie on the Lakers, later described the move as the greatest move he had ever seen in a basketball game.
The play perfectly represented Dr. J.
Grace. Athleticism. Imagination. Timing.
That is why I would select the 1980 Dr. J baseline reverse layup as the most outstanding play in 76ers history.
But Then There Is Allen Iverson
The most famous 76ers play of the modern era came 21 years later.
Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals.
The Lakers were heavily favored and had entered the Finals undefeated in the playoffs.
Iverson scored 48 points.
In overtime, he crossed over Tyronn Lue, created space and hit a jumper.
Lue fell.
Iverson then stepped over him.
Philadelphia won 107-101.
The Lakers went on to win the next four games, but the image became permanently associated with Iverson’s career. NBA.com lists the play among the greatest moments in Finals history.
If Dr. J’s play represents the artistry of the 76ers, Iverson’s represents their attitude.
The Legacy of the Philadelphia 76ers
The history of the 76ers is really the history of several great basketball eras.
The Syracuse Nationals
Danny Biasone, Dolph Schayes and the invention of the 24-second shot clock.
The Wilt Chamberlain Era
A 68-win team, three consecutive MVP awards and the 1967 championship.
The Dr. J Era
Erving brought an exciting, above-the-rim style to Philadelphia and eventually led the team to its third championship.
The Moses Malone Era
The 1983 championship team produced one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
The Charles Barkley Era
Barkley became one of the league’s greatest power forwards and eventually won MVP after leaving Philadelphia.
The Allen Iverson Era
Iverson transformed Philadelphia basketball and carried the franchise back to the Finals in 2001.
The Process and Joel Embiid Era
The organization rebuilt around young players and draft assets before selecting Embiid, who eventually became an MVP.
FInal Thoughts
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the NBA’s historic franchises because their story contains so many different kinds of greatness.
They have a championship from Syracuse.
They have Wilt Chamberlain’s dominance.
They have Julius Erving’s artistry.
They have Moses Malone’s championship machine.
They have Charles Barkley’s power.
They have Allen Iverson’s determination.
They have Joel Embiid’s modern dominance.
And they have one of basketball’s most memorable images in Dr. J floating behind the backboard against the Lakers.
Three championships.
Seven MVP awards.
Dozens of Hall of Famers.
And more than seven decades of professional basketball.
From the Syracuse Nationals of 1946 to the modern Philadelphia 76ers, the franchise has remained one of the NBA’s most important basketball institutions.
Artie Fischal
