Philadelphia 76ers facts for kids

The Philadelphia 76ers, often called the Sixers, are a professional basketball team from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. Their home games are played at the Wells Fargo Center.

The 76ers were started in 1946 as the Syracuse Nationals. They are one of the oldest teams in the NBA. The team is owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, with Josh Harris and David Blitzer leading the group since 2011.

Many famous players, including Dolph Schayes, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson, have played for the 76ers. The team has won three NBA championships. Their first was in 1955 as the Syracuse Nationals. They won again in 1967 with Wilt Chamberlain, and in 1983 with Julius Erving and Moses Malone. They reached the NBA Finals once more in 2001, led by Allen Iverson, but lost. Several 76ers players, like Chamberlain, Erving, Malone, Iverson, and Joel Embiid, have won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award.

Quick facts for kids Philadelphia 76ers
Conference	Eastern
Division	Atlantic
Founded	1946
History	Syracuse Nationals 1946–1949 (NBL) 1949–1963 (NBA) Philadelphia 76ers 1963–present
Arena	Wells Fargo Center
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Team colors	Blue, red, silver, navy, white
Main sponsor	Crypto.com
CEO	Tad Brown
President	Daryl Morey
General manager	Elton Brand
Head coach	Nick Nurse
Ownership	Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (Josh Harris and David Blitzer)
Affiliation(s)	Delaware Blue Coats
Championships	3 (1955, 1967, 1983)
Conference titles	5 (1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 2001)
Division titles	12 (1950, 1952, 1955, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1990, 2001, 2021)
Retired numbers	10 (2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 13, 15, 24, 32, 34)
Association Icon Statement

Team History: From Syracuse to Philadelphia

The Syracuse Nationals: Early Years (1946–1963)

Billy Gabor (left) and Dolph Schayes (right) were key players for the Syracuse Nationals. They won a championship together in 1955.

The team started in 1946 as the Syracuse Nationals in Syracuse, New York. They were part of the National Basketball League (NBL). In 1949, the NBL joined with another league to form the NBA. The Nationals were one of the teams that joined the new NBA.

The Nationals quickly became a strong team in the NBA. In the 1949–50 season, they had the best record in the league. They made it to the NBA Finals but lost to the Minneapolis Lakers.

A big change happened before the 1954–55 season. The Nationals' owner, Danny Biasone, suggested a "24-second shot clock." This rule meant teams had to shoot the ball within 24 seconds, making the game faster and more exciting. The NBA adopted this rule, and it was a huge success! In that first season with the shot clock, the Nationals won their first NBA Championship, beating the Fort Wayne Pistons in a thrilling Game 7.

The 1958–59 Syracuse Nationals team.

Hal Greer played his entire career with the team, joining the Nationals in 1958 and winning a championship in 1967.

The Nationals continued to be a playoff team, even as other small-town teams moved to bigger cities. Key players like Dolph Schayes and Hal Greer helped them stay competitive.

Moving to Philadelphia: The 76ers Are Born (1963)

Philadelphia Convention Hall, where the 76ers played from 1963 to 1967.

After the 1962–63 season, the Syracuse Nationals moved to Philadelphia. The city's previous team, the Warriors, had moved to San Francisco. A contest was held to rename the team, and the winning name was "76ers." This name honors the year 1776, when the United States Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia. The shorter name, "Sixers," also became very popular.

For their first few years in Philadelphia, the 76ers played in different arenas like the Philadelphia Arena and Convention Hall. Dolph Schayes, a former player, became the team's first coach in Philadelphia.

The Wilt Chamberlain Era (1964–1968)

Wilt Chamberlain led the 76ers to an NBA title in 1967.

In the 1964–65 season, the 76ers traded for the legendary player Wilt Chamberlain. He had played high school basketball in Philadelphia and started his NBA career with the Warriors when they were still in the city. With Chamberlain, the 76ers became a top team.

Winning the Championship in 1967

The 1966–67 season was amazing for the 76ers. Led by coach Alex Hannum, they started with a fantastic 46–4 record and finished with 68 wins and only 13 losses. This was the best record in league history at the time! Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham, and Hal Greer, along with other stars, led the team. They beat the Boston Celtics in the semifinals, ending Boston's eight-year championship streak. In the NBA Finals, the Sixers defeated the Warriors in six games, winning their second NBA Championship (and first in Philadelphia). This team is still considered one of the best in NBA history.

The next season, 1967–68, the 76ers moved to a new home, The Spectrum. They made it back to the playoffs but lost to the Celtics in a tough seven-game series.

A Challenging Period (1968–1976)

Billy Cunningham played for the 76ers for nine seasons and later coached the team.

After the 1968 season, the 76ers traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers. This trade, along with other player changes, led to a tough time for the team. In the 1972–73 season, only five years after winning a championship, the 76ers had a very difficult year. They finished with a record of 9 wins and 73 losses, which was the worst record in NBA history at the time for a full season. Fans even called them the "Nine and 73-ers."

The team slowly started to improve. In the 1975–76 season, they made the playoffs again after a five-year break.

The Julius Erving Era (1976–1987)

Julius Erving was a superstar for the 76ers, leading them to four NBA Finals.

A huge turning point came in 1976 when the 76ers acquired superstar Julius Erving, also known as "Dr. J." He was one of the most exciting players in basketball history. With Erving leading the way, the 76ers became a top team again.

In the 1976–77 season, they reached the NBA Finals but lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. Over the next few seasons, the 76ers often made it deep into the playoffs but couldn't win the championship. They lost in the NBA Finals in 1980 and 1982, both times to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Winning the Championship in 1983

Moses Malone helped the 76ers win the NBA title in 1983.

Before the 1982–83 season, the 76ers added center Moses Malone, another future Hall of Famer. With Malone, Erving, and other great players like Maurice Cheeks and Bobby Jones, the team was incredibly strong. Malone famously predicted they would win the playoffs with "fo', fo', fo'" (four, four, four), meaning they would sweep every series.

The 76ers almost made Malone's prediction come true. They swept the New York Knicks, then beat the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. In the NBA Finals, they swept the Los Angeles Lakers, winning their third NBA Championship! Their playoff record was 12 wins and only 1 loss, which is one of the best playoff runs ever. Malone was named the Finals MVP. This was Philadelphia's last major sports championship until 2008.

The Charles Barkley Years (1984–1992)

Charles Barkley played eight seasons for the 76ers.

After the 1983 championship, the team had some changes. In 1984, Charles Barkley joined the 76ers. Barkley quickly became a fan favorite because of his amazing playing and his fun personality. The 76ers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in Barkley's first season but lost to the Boston Celtics.

In 1986, the team made some trades that were not popular with fans, including trading Moses Malone. This led to a decline in the team's performance. Barkley continued to be a star, but the 76ers struggled to win championships during his time. In 1990, they won their division, but lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. In 1992, Barkley was traded to the Phoenix Suns.

A Difficult Period (1992–1996)

Ed Snider bought the 76ers in 1996.

After Charles Barkley left, the 76ers went through a very tough period, often called "The Dark Ages" by fans. The team struggled to win games, and their win total decreased every year from 1990–91 to 1995–96. In the 1995–96 season, they finished with only 18 wins and 64 losses, one of the worst records in team history.

However, there was a bright spot at the end of this period. The team won the top pick in the 1996 NBA draft. With this pick, the 76ers selected Allen Iverson, a talented guard who would change the team's future.

The Allen Iverson Era (1996–2006)

With new owners, a new arena (the CoreStates Center, now Wells Fargo Center), and Allen Iverson, things started to look up for the 76ers. Iverson was named Rookie of the Year in his first season. After a few changes in coaching and management, Larry Brown was hired as head coach in 1997. Brown was known for his focus on defense and turning teams into winners. He and Iverson sometimes disagreed, but they worked together to improve the team.

The 76ers started to win more games. In the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season, they made the playoffs for the first time since 1991. They upset the Orlando Magic in the first round before losing to the Indiana Pacers. The team continued to get better, and in the 1999–2000 season, they won 49 games and made the playoffs again.

Reaching the NBA Finals in 2001

Allen Iverson won the MVP award in 2001 and led the 76ers to the NBA Finals.

Larry Brown coached the 76ers from 1997 to 2003 and was named Coach of the Year in 2001.

The 2000–01 season was a special one. The 76ers started strong, winning their first ten games. They acquired Dikembe Mutombo, a great defensive center, during the season. The team finished with 56 wins, winning their division and earning the top spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

In the playoffs, the 76ers had tough series against the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors. Allen Iverson played incredibly well, scoring many points in key games. They then faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals and won in seven games, reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1983.

Their opponent in the Finals was the Los Angeles Lakers, who had not lost a single game in the playoffs so far. In Game 1, the 76ers pulled off a stunning upset, winning in overtime with Iverson making a famous shot and stepping over a Lakers player. However, the Lakers, led by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, won the next four games to win the championship.

Even though they lost the Finals, the 2000–01 76ers had an amazing season. Allen Iverson was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, Larry Brown was Coach of the Year, Dikembe Mutombo was Defensive Player of the Year, and Aaron McKie was Sixth Man of the Year.

After the Finals (2001–2006)

After their Finals run, the 76ers had high hopes but couldn't repeat their success. Larry Brown left in 2003, and the team went through several coaching changes. They drafted Andre Iguodala in 2004, who became an important player. In 2006, Allen Iverson asked to be traded, and he was sent to the Denver Nuggets.

The Post-Iverson Era (2006–2016)

Thaddeus Young was a key player for the 76ers after Allen Iverson left.

Elton Brand signed with the 76ers in 2008.

After Iverson's departure, Andre Iguodala became the team's main player. The 76ers made the playoffs in 2008 and 2009 but were eliminated in the first round both times. In 2008, they signed Elton Brand, a talented forward, but injuries limited his impact.

Allen Iverson briefly returned to the 76ers in 2009.

In 2009, Allen Iverson briefly returned to the 76ers, but he left again due to family reasons. The team continued to struggle. In 2010, Doug Collins, a former 76ers player, was hired as head coach. The team drafted Evan Turner and Jrue Holiday, and started to improve.

In 2011, a new ownership group led by Josh Harris bought the team. The 76ers made the playoffs in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, they upset the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the first round, which was a big surprise. They then lost to the Boston Celtics in a close seven-game series.

"The Process" (2013–2016)

Brett Brown coached the team during "The Process" years.

Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were drafted during "The Process."

After the 2012–13 season, the 76ers decided to completely rebuild their team. This strategy became known as "The Process." The idea was to trade away experienced players for future draft picks and young talent, even if it meant losing many games for a few years. The goal was to get high draft picks to select future superstar players.

In 2013, they traded All-Star Jrue Holiday and drafted Nerlens Noel and Michael Carter-Williams. Carter-Williams won the Rookie of the Year award in 2014. The team had very tough seasons, including a 26-game losing streak in 2014, which tied an NBA record.

In the 2014 NBA draft, the Sixers drafted Joel Embiid and Dario Šarić. Both players were recovering from injuries or playing overseas, so they didn't play right away. The team continued to lose many games, hoping for more high draft picks. In 2015, they drafted Jahlil Okafor. The 76ers finished the 2015–16 season with only 10 wins and 72 losses, one of the worst records in NBA history.

The Joel Embiid Era (2016–Present)

Ben Simmons was the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

In 2016, the 76ers earned the first overall pick in the NBA Draft. They selected Ben Simmons, a talented point forward from LSU. This was a big moment for "The Process," as fans hoped Simmons and Embiid would become the team's future stars.

Return to the Playoffs (2017–2018)

The 2017–18 season was a breakthrough. With Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons finally playing together, the team finished with 52 wins and made the playoffs. They even had a 16-game winning streak! In the first round of the playoffs, the Sixers defeated the Miami Heat, winning their first playoff series since 2012.

Adding Stars (2018–2019)

Jimmy Butler played for the 76ers in 2019.

The 76ers continued to add more star players. In November 2018, they traded for Jimmy Butler. In February 2019, they acquired Tobias Harris. These moves created a strong starting lineup with Embiid, Simmons, Butler, and Harris. The team was very competitive but lost in a close Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Recent Seasons (2020–Present)

In 2020, the 76ers hired Doc Rivers as their new head coach and Daryl Morey as president of basketball operations. In the 2020–21 season, the 76ers finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid played exceptionally well, finishing second in the MVP voting. They won their first-round playoff series but lost in the Conference Semifinals.

Joel Embiid was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2023.

Before the 2021–22 season, Ben Simmons asked for a trade and did not play for the team. In February 2022, the 76ers traded Simmons for superstar guard James Harden. With Embiid and Harden, the team finished with 51 wins. Embiid won the scoring title that season.

In 2023, Joel Embiid was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, a huge achievement for him and the team! The 76ers made the playoffs but lost in the second round. Doc Rivers was replaced by Nick Nurse as head coach.

Tyrese Maxey became an All-Star for the 76ers.

In the 2023–24 season, the team faced injuries, especially to Joel Embiid. Young guard Tyrese Maxey stepped up and became an All-Star. The Sixers made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

Looking to the future, the 76ers signed star player Paul George in the 2024 offseason, hoping to build a championship team around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Team Look: Logos and Uniforms

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  Primary logo, 1963 to 1977
• 

  Primary logo, 1977 to 1996
• 

  Wordmark logo, 2015 to present

The 76ers have changed their look several times over the years. Their first logo in Philadelphia had a red "7" and blue "6" with 13 blue stars, representing the original 13 American colonies. Their uniforms often featured "PHILA" or "Sixers" on the front.

In 1997, the Sixers changed their colors to black, silver, and gold to have a more modern look. The logo featured "76ers" in gold with a silver star. They used black road uniforms and white home uniforms, sometimes adding a blue or red alternate uniform.

In 2009, the team went back to a more classic look, bringing back a modern version of their 1977–97 logo and using red, white, and blue colors. Their uniforms featured "Sixers" in a block style.

Since 2015, the 76ers have used a new version of their classic logo, with a round basketball and the city name. Their uniforms mix classic styles, with "PHILA" on some and "SIXERS" on others. They also have special "City" and "Earned" uniforms each year, which often celebrate Philadelphia's history or landmarks like the Liberty Bell or Boathouse Row.

Team Mascot: Franklin the Dog

Franklin the Dog, the 76ers mascot.

On February 10, 2015, the 76ers introduced their new mascot, Franklin the Dog. Franklin is a friendly dog mascot who entertains fans at games and events.

Before Franklin, the 76ers had other mascots. In the 1980s, their mascot was named Big Shot. Later, they had a rabbit mascot named Hip Hop, who was known for doing slam dunks.

Team Rivalries

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics

Wilt Chamberlain (76ers) and Bill Russell (Celtics) were rivals in the 1960s.

The rivalry between the 76ers and the Boston Celtics is one of the oldest and most famous in the NBA. These two teams have played each other in the playoffs more than any other two teams.

The rivalry was very strong in the 1960s when Wilt Chamberlain of the 76ers played against Bill Russell of the Celtics. The 76ers' 1967 championship team ended Boston's long winning streak, leading to famous chants of "Boston is dead!"

The rivalry became intense again in the 1980s, with Larry Bird leading the Celtics and Julius Erving leading the 76ers. These two teams often met in the Eastern Conference Finals, with many exciting games.

The rivalry has continued into recent times, with both teams having strong players and competing in the playoffs.

Season Records

Here are the results for the last five seasons of the 76ers. For all seasons, see List of Philadelphia 76ers seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Team Facilities

Home Arenas

The Spectrum was the 76ers' home from 1967 to 1996.

Wells Fargo Center is the current home of the 76ers.

The 76ers have played in several home arenas throughout their history:

• State Fair Coliseum (1946–1951) - In Syracuse
• Onondaga County War Memorial (1951–1963) - In Syracuse
• Convention Hall and Philadelphia Arena (1963–1967) - In Philadelphia
• The Spectrum (1967–1996) - In Philadelphia
• Wells Fargo Center (1996–present) - In Philadelphia

Training Facility

The 76ers' training complex in Camden, New Jersey.

The 76ers' main training facility and team headquarters are located in Camden, New Jersey. This modern complex opened in 2016 and provides a great place for players to practice and train.

Future Arena Plans

The 76ers have announced plans to build a new arena in Center City, Philadelphia, called 76 Place. It is expected to be ready for the 2031–32 NBA season.

Team Personnel

Current Roster

Retired Numbers

The 76ers honor their greatest players by retiring their jersey numbers. These numbers are hung high in the Wells Fargo Center.

Dave Zinkoff was the 76ers' public address announcer for many years.

Philadelphia 76ers Retired Numbers and Honorees
No.	Player	Position	Years Played	Date Retired
2	Moses Malone	Center	1982–1986, 1993–1994	February 8, 2019
3	Allen Iverson	Guard	1996–2006, 2009–2010	March 1, 2014
4	Dolph Schayes	Forward/Center	1948–1964	March 12, 2016
6	Julius Erving	Forward	1976–1987	April 18, 1988
10	Maurice Cheeks	Guard	1978–1989	February 6, 1995
13	Wilt Chamberlain	Center	1965–1968	March 18, 1991
15	Hal Greer	Guard	1958–1973	November 19, 1976
24	Bobby Jones	Forward	1978–1986	November 7, 1986
32	Billy Cunningham	Forward	1965–1972, 1974–1976	December 17, 1976
34	Charles Barkley	Forward	1984–1992	March 30, 2001
	Dave Zinkoff	Public Address Announcer	1963–1985	March 25, 1986

Basketball Hall of Famers

Many players and coaches who were part of the 76ers have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This means they are recognized as some of the greatest people in basketball history.

Coaches

Esports Ventures

In 2016, the 76ers became the first major North American sports team to own an esports (electronic sports) team. They acquired and merged two esports teams under the name Team Dignitas.

See also

In Spanish: Philadelphia 76ers para niños

• South Philadelphia Sports Complex
• Sports in Philadelphia