Latest news with #AllenIverson
Fox News
2 days ago
- Health
- Fox News
Mike Tyson says he's 'tired' of hearing negatives about legal cannabis
Boxing legend Mike Tyson has been at the forefront of cannabis reform in the United States and this weekend he posted about the issue on social media. Tyson, 59, was open earlier this month in an interview with Fox News Digital about how he believed marijuana use kept him out of jail. On Saturday, he posted that drug traffickers and human traffickers will keep winning until marijuana is legalized federally. "Tired of hearing that legal cannabis will cause mass chaos or have people stinking up the streets," he wrote on X. "That's just ridiculous. We've got rules for cigarettes and alcohol, therefore, cannabis would be no different. It's about freedom. Adults should have the choice. "Until it's legal federally, cartels and human traffickers keep winning." Tyson would hope to see the plant reclassified by the government from a category that is defined by high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use to a category of moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. It is one of the three points Tyson advocated in a recent letter to President Donald Trump's White House that he wrote in conjunction with other superstar athletes and entertainers, like Kevin Durant and Allen Iverson. Tyson added he believes the rescheduling of marijuana is the top priority in his federal reform goals. He and his supporters also want to see mass clemency for nonviolent marijuana offenders. Tyson said seeing people going to jail for these offenses was an unfortunate memory of his childhood. "I always knew that. I always knew that I am friends with those people, people come from my community," Tyson told Fox News Digital. He recalled one member of his community he watched go to jail when he was a kid and who wasn't released until Tyson became an established fighter. A recent study by researchers at UC San Francisco determined that eating edible cannabis, such as gummies, has the same cardiovascular risk as smoking marijuana for long-term users. The risk stems from reduced blood vessel function, according to the study, published in JAMA Cardiology May 28. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
"After I retired, I thought he didn't like me" - Allen Iverson says realizing Kobe Bryant admired him was one of the most eye-opening moments of his life
"After I retired, I thought he didn't like me" - Allen Iverson says realizing Kobe Bryant admired him was one of the most eye-opening moments of his life originally appeared on Basketball Network. There was never a handshake during the battle. Never a wink, never a pat on the back. It was a straight war between Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant, two avatars of a basketball era driven by ego, edge and expression. They stood on opposite poles of style and temperament: Iverson, the rebellious genius from the streets of Hampton, Va., who turned swagger, braids and baggy shorts into symbols of NBA authenticity; Bryant, the meticulous assassin from Lower Merion, Pa., who patterned his approach on Michael Jordan's cold-blooded precision. Appreciation from Kobe On the court, it felt personal with every jab step, every bucket, every stare. And for Iverson, that intensity lingered long after the buzzer. "After I retired, I thought he didn't like me because of how he was on the basketball court," Iverson said. "We would speak before the game and after the game whatever. But during the game, it was like, 'Damn, this dude got a problem with me.'" Iverson wasn't being paranoid. That was just Bryant — clinical, focused and unforgiving. But under that glare was something else, respect. A deep, almost obsessive admiration. It just took years for Iverson to find out. They both famously met in the 2001 NBA Finals with Iverson leading the Philadelphia 76ers to battle against the Los Angeles Lakers. He dropped 48 points in Game 1 and notoriously stepped over Tyronn Lue. The Sixers' lone win in that series came at the expense of one of the most dominant duos in NBA history, Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant. The Lakers would go on to win the series in five, but for a moment, Iverson had the stage and he made it unforgettable. Bryant, only 22 at the time, was already known for studying the greats. He would rewatch games in the middle of the night, dissect old footage and chase greatness with the relentlessness of a man on borrowed time. But Iverson, unlike Jordan or Magic Johnson, was Bryant's peer. He wasn't a finished product to admire from afar, he was a real-time rival. That made the admiration complex and respect Iverson never heard Bryant say he respected him. So when the game was done and the lights dimmed, he assumed the silence was intentional. It made sense. In their 14 matchups, Bryant often played Iverson harder than anyone. He bodied him. Shadowed him and took it personally. And in that space, respect looked like resistance. But the truth unraveled slowly, years later, in the wake of tragedy. The Laker icon passed away in January 2020 and the basketball world mourned in disbelief. Among the many players who paid tribute, Iverson's pain stood out. That was when the stories started to come in, from Bryant's inner circle who saw what the public never did. "But hearing the stories, the people that loved him, the people in his family tell me stories about how he admired me and how he talked about how much I pushed him," Iverson said. It wasn't a moment, but a collage of them. Bryant admired Iverson's fearlessness in going at the trees in the paint; he pushed himself in practice, because he didn't want to be outdone by the Sixers icon. That admiration had always been there, it just came wrapped in silence, masked by the mentality he had. For Iverson, hearing those things brought clarity. The cold game face, the refusal to dap up mid-game, the fiery trash talk, it wasn't hate. It was reverence, Bryant-style. Their bond makes perfect sense. Both are undersized for their positions and accused of being too selfish, too stubborn, too much of something. Both vilified and adored in equal measure. And both, in very different ways, changed the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stephen A. Smith reported the Lakers considered signing Allen Iverson in 2012 if he was "willing" to play in D-League first
Stephen A. Smith reported the Lakers considered signing Allen Iverson in 2012 if he was "willing" to play in D-League first originally appeared on Basketball Network. The Los Angeles Lakers were eager to redeem themselves in 2012 following a devastating first-round playoff loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Ahead of the trade deadline, Stephen A. Smith reported that the Lakers were considering signing Allen Iverson to bolster their backcourt. At the time, Iverson was already two years from his retirement from the NBA. Though the former Philadelphia 76ers superstar played professional basketball overseas for a year, Smith said the Lakers would only consider signing Iverson under one condition. According to Smith, the Lakers would like to see Iverson perform in the NBA D-League first. They wanted to ensure that "The Answer" could still play at a high level before deciding. "Allen Iverson, who sources indicated the Lakers had some interest in as long as he was willing to go to the NBA Developmental League for a few weeks first, is not the answer," Smith wrote via ESPN. "He's simply not a point guard. The Lakers are also said to be interested in former Toronto Raptors point guard Rafer Alston, who helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA Finals in 2009. But who knows if that will materialize into anything?" "All we know for the moment is that the parts the Lakers have are not good enough," he added. The Sixers considered having Kobe and Iverson too For the Lakers faithful, the idea of having Kobe Bryant and Iverson together sounded exciting. But taking a quick trip down memory lane, the Sixers also thought about the same thing way back in 1996. That year, Iverson was the most highly touted incoming NBA rookie. On the other hand, Bryant was also gaining traction as a high school phenom who had jumped straight into the pros. Both youngsters were up-and-coming, and the Sixers were truly enticed to form an explosive backcourt duo with Bryant and Iverson. However, the Lakers swooped for Kobe on draft day right after he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall pick. "In 1996, Sixers scout Tony DiLeo wanted to draft high schooler Kobe Bryant and discussed trading a young Jerry Stackhouse to pair Iverson and Bryant together," Jonathan Abrahams said in his book entitled "Boys Among Men." The Lakers got Nash instead of Iverson Unsurprisingly, nothing came to fruition in the Lakers' interest in Iverson in 2012. It wasn't clear why it did not progress, but knowing "The Answer" and his ego, joining the NBA D-League in the hope of making it back to the league was something he wouldn't do or even consider. The Lakers headed to the 2011-12 playoffs without an elite point guard. Their season concluded after a tough second-round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. At that point, the Lakers were desperate to win another NBA championship. The front office began to work in the summer and formed a star-studded starting five for the next season. Instead of pursuing Iverson to fill the point guard position, the Lakers managed to sign two-time MVP Steve Nash. Apart from Nash, All-Star big man Dwight Howard also joined the Purple and Gold in a historic free agency move. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Nash didn't live up to their expectations. As for Iverson, he never returned to the NBA and never considered playing in the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking The 20 Greatest Pure Scorers In NBA History
Ranking The 20 Greatest Pure Scorers In NBA History originally appeared on Fadeaway World. There's scoring, and then there's pure scoring. The likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry fill stat sheets with everything from transition to coming off screens, but the truly pure scorers? They exist in another dimension, which means these two barely miss out. As Carmelo Anthony puts it, the great ones 'you put them in that corner, you'll get a bucket', no questions asked. These players wield scoring like a weapon, and we're here to crown the kings. This is about scoring fluency and instinct. Forget the volume records and longevity; this is about the feel. Michael Jordan's 30.1 PPG over a career, Allen Iverson's dazzling drives, and George Gervin's effortless finger roll are examples of offensive prowess. They're the purest scorers of all time. Let's rank the elite: the transcendent scorers who could will buckets into being, night after night. Some will surprise you. Others you'll argue with. But all of them were pure scorers. 20. Adrian Dantley Career Total: 23,177 Points Career Average: 24.3 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 4 (1981-1984) Scoring Titles: 2 (1981, 1984) Adrian Dantley was what coaches call a 'garage-band scorer', operating shoulder-to-shoulder in the low post, using hand-checking era muscle to draw contact and bury free throws. He wasn't a high-flyer or perimeter assassin, but his mid-range craft and physicality made him nearly unstoppable in traffic. What stands out about Dantley is his efficiency: he converted at blistering rates even without the modern spacing or three-point threat. He was the hidden scoring weapon on several under-the-radar, gritty teams, and that relentless interior aggression defines purity in scoring. 19. Rick Barry Career Total: 25,279 Points Career Average: 24.8 PPG Consecutive 30+ PPG Seasons: 0 Scoring Titles: 1 (1967) Ricky Barry launched an underhanded free throw, a technique so funky you knew it had to work. But he was so much more, a slasher with a sniper's precision, using angled penetration and floaters long before the modern mid-range. He wasn't physically imposing, yet he carved defenses with basketball IQ and touch. A forward whose quiet dominance laid early groundwork for positionless scoring. His best season came in 1967 when he dropped 35.6 PPG, but he also won a scoring title in the ABA in 1969 (34.0 PPG). 18. Dominique Wilkins Career Total: 26,668 Points Career Average: 24.8 PPG Consecutive 30+ PPG Seasons: 0 Scoring Titles: 1 (1986) The "Human Highlight Film" was a package of brute aesthetics: slashes to reverse lay-ins, thunderous dunks, and gliding pull-ups. Dominique Wilkins didn't rely on theatrics alone; he punished mismatches with footwork, drive, and a fluid midrange. He came up short in an era of Magic-Bird connection, but Wilkins was the consummate scorer: charisma with accuracy. He could heat-check with a mid-30s night, and most nights, he delivered. For any old heads: Wilkins was your favorite player's favorite player growing up. 17. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Career Total: 38,387 Points Career Average: 24.6 PPG Consecutive 30+ PPG Seasons: 3 (1971-1973) Scoring Titles: 2 (1971, 1972) The skyhook is the prototype of a pure scoring move, an unblockable motion repeated thousands of times. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar turned it into a weapon so beautiful that defenses stopped chasing his feet. Even if he was a big man who needed a guard to get him the ball, Kareem was a pure scorer because of this unstoppable move. His longevity and mechanics speak volumes: when no other move works, the skyhook does. No need to dunk in traffic, elevate, rotate shoulder, release apex arc. Pure craft, and we will never see anything like it ever again. We won't have many bigs in this ranking, but we have to put Kareem in the top 20. 16. Larry Bird Career Total: 21,791 Points Career Average: 24.3 PPG Consecutive 30+ PPG Seasons: 0 Scoring Titles: 0 Larry Bird was the anti-showman: subtle footwork, jumper over your close-out, and passing you didn't know you wanted were his tools. He baited defenders into helping, then punished them with head-turners or passes. Essentially, before Luka Doncic, there was Larry Bird. His pure scorer identity lay in mind games, cold-blooded execution on toast evenings, and always finding that edge. High IQ, higher pain threshold, and highest competitiveness. In terms of pure shooters, there aren't five players better than Larry Legend either. 15. Jerry West Career Total: 25,192 Points Career Average: 27.0 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 2 (1965, 1966) Scoring Titles: 1 (1970) Jerry 'Mr. Clutch' West was scoring poetry. A master of footwork, subtle pivots, and mid-range precision, he delivered 27.0 PPG without splashy dunks or theatrics. His silhouette even became the NBA logo, a tribute to his smooth scoring style. Game-winner after game-winner, West owned late-clock situations. His blend of strength, craft, and imagination, solo runs in the face of double teams, encapsulates what pure scoring truly means. The late and great legend never had a weakness in his game and is truly one of the most underrated players ever. 14. George Gervin Career Total: 26,595 Points Career Average: 25.1 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 4 (1978, 1979, 1980, 1982) George 'Iceman' Gervin played scorching hot without breaking a sweat. His signature finger roll was artistry in motion: feathery touch over defenders that felt effortless, yet devastatingly efficient. In '82, he dropped 32.3 PPG on 50.0% FG and 86.4% FT splits with no athleticism-show required. His demeanor mirrored his game: calm, cool, and absolutely lethal. Gervin rewrote what a scorer could be: quiet, efficient, and consistently overlooked, a true definition of offensive purity. Gervin was the first "Kevin Durant-like" star that the NBA saw. 13. Oscar Robertson Career Total: 26,710 Points Career Average: 25.7 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 2 (1961-1962), 4 (1964-1967) Scoring Titles: 1 (1968) The 'Big O' wasn't just a triple-double pioneer; he was a scoring dynamo who was completely unstoppable. In the pre-three era, Oscar Robertson averaged over 25 PPG with ease while dishing dimes and crashing the glass. He had two stints of consecutive seasons dropping at least 30 PPG, and won a scoring title without even having to crack 30. Though his legend thrives on all-around brilliance, his pure scoring? Robertson towered above. His ability to mix fadeaways, finishes, and threes (late career) made him an offensive juggernaut. If Oscar played today, you would see a different type of athlete who combines Russell Westbrook with Kyrie Irving. 12. Tracy McGrady Career Total: 18,381 Points Career Average: 19.6 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 2 (2003, 2004) Tracy McGrady's peak was the definition of smooth dominance. In 2002-03, at just 23, he exploded for 32.1 points per game, topping the league with a free-flowing blend of athleticism and shotmaking. His follow-up season didn't disappoint; he still averaged 28 points, securing back-to-back scoring titles. With 206 career 30-point games, he had an elite scoring arsenal: off-the-dribble mid-risers, step-back threes, and aggressive drives; his highlight reel felt like poetry in motion. His signature performances are the stuff of legend: 62 points against Washington, 50 in three quarters, and a 41-point night after sleeping in until tipoff, earning the moniker "The Big Sleep". 11. Hakeem Olajuwon Career Total: 26,946 Points Career Average: 21.8 PPG Consecutive Seasons of 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 0 Hakeem Olajuwon carved defenders with footwork you don't teach in clinic videos. The Dream Shake, a pivot into space, fakes that froze defenders, made him one of the most beautiful scorers ever. Only the second big man to appear on the list, Hakeem was completely unstoppable that even a prime Shaquille O'Neal couldn't handle him. The Nigerian superstar didn't need brute force; he used finesse. For a big man, his craft, turning, spinning, shooting with arc and touch, was pure artistry, redefining frontcourt scoring. There is no all-time offense list without including one of the top-5 centers ever. 10. Elgin Baylor Career Total: 23,149 Points Career Average: 27.4 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 3 (1961-1963) Scoring Titles: 0 Elgin Baylor brought aerial innovation to scoring. He launched acrobatic drives and reverse layups years before anyone else dared. Averaging 27.4 PPG in a rugged era, he held his own with grace, and very few players can touch him when it comes to getting buckets. He stretched the imagination of offensive creation. His style, elegant, innovative, boundary-pushing, set the tone for future scorers who saw 'normal' as a concept to be redefined. Baylor played in the 1960s so he is often forgotten, but he makes the list regardless. 9. Paul Pierce Career Total: 26,397 Points Career Average: 19.7 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 0 'The Truth' wasn't just a nickname; it was a scoring comfort in chaos. Paul Pierce thrived as a midrange assassin and killer in isolation. He locked in, pick-and-pop, step-back Js, and crafty finishes. It wasn't always beautiful, but it was effective. His scoring was also subtle magic. In every clutch moment, he had that shrug-off defender, feel-for-space, pull-the-trigger mentality. Very few players possessed the poise that Pierce brought every night, and even if he toots his own horn after retirement, we can't deny his offensive pureness. 8. Karl Malone Career Total: 36,928 Points Career Average: 25.0 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 0 Karl Malone was the ultimate power scorer in the post; it wasn't finesse, it was dominance. Known as 'The Mailman' because he always delivered, he bullied defenders with physicality and polished footwork. He even sustained 24.7 PPG in the playoffs, a testament to a big man who didn't regress on the biggest stage. He had an iron-clad mid-range jumper, backed by unstoppable rolls to the rim off pick-and-rolls with Stockton. He scored over 36,000 career points, behind only LeBron and Kareem, with consistency that lasted nearly two decades. Pure scoring"? No question, it was raw, efficient, power-driven bucket mastering. 7. Dirk Nowitzki Career Total: 31,560 Points Career Average: 20.7 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 0 Dirk Nowitzki shattered the mold of big men with his one-legged fadeaway, an unguardable masterpiece that mixed size, timing, and touch. He had one 50‑point game and 7 instances of 40+ in his career, and 40.7% of his games kicked off 20-29 PPG, pure scoring consistency. He averaged 20.7 PPG over 21 seasons, shifted from post-ups to catch-and-shoot threes, all while evolving as defenses tried in vain to stop him. His scoring fluidity, from deep to mid and close, redefined stretch bigs; pure scoring with innovation. 6. Kyrie Irving Career Total: 18,433 Points Career Average: 23.7 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 0 Kyrie Irving's handle is patented, his finish is sublime, and that step-back three is irrevocably pure. Averaging almost 24 PPG on 47.4% FG and 39.4% 3P over his career, he combines wizardry with ruthless efficiency. He picks defenders apart in isolation, whether it's crafty shifts off the dribble or floaters in traffic. Every move looks effortless until it lands. He creates his own shot better than most and executes at near-greenlight levels: elite-level pure scoring meets artistry. 5. Carmelo Anthony Career Total: 28,289 Points Career Average: 22.5 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 1 (2013) Carmelo Anthony's signature mid-range game is size-meets-touch brilliance. He dominated with isolation moves, triple-threat jab-step into step-back three, punishing mismatches across multiple era transitions. He managed 28,289 career points, and while criticized for efficiency, he was the definition of pure scorer: someone who could take over quarters on sheer volume and craft. His NCAA title matchup and NBA career both define a pure bucket artist unafraid to hunt. 4. Allen Iverson Career Total: 24,368 Points Career Average: 26.7 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 2 (2001-2002), 2 (2005-2006) Scoring Titles: 4 (1999, 2001, 2002, 2005) Allen Iverson was in attack mode constantly, from step-back 3s to fearless drives into the paint, six-foot holes and all. He played bigger than his frame and left defenders bruised on transitions. There will likely never be another little guard as dominant as Iverson was offensively. He attacked every possession like it was life or death. He wasn't efficient, but he forced defenses to collapse and opened everything else for teammates, and that's pure scoring influence. You can argue for other players ranked behind him, but we won't be hearing it because four scoring titles shut down the argument. 3. Kevin Durant Career Total: 30,571 Points Career Average: 27.2 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 0 Scoring Titles: 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014) At 7 feet tall with a point guard's handle, Kevin Durant is the perfect offensive weapon. He shoots off the bounce, off the catch, step-back, fadeaway, it's all seamless. He took what George Gervin was, except he added a top-10 three-point shot we have ever seen, and even better efficiency from the free-throw line. There's no counter. He combines efficiency and volume with a size unmatched in NBA history: clear space with a dribble, elevates over anyone. Pure scoring, apex version. The only reason he isn't ranked first is that he lacked the true killer offensive instinct of the two players placed ahead of him. 2. Kobe Bryant Career Total: 33,643 Points Career Average: 25.0 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 2 (2006, 2007) Scoring Titles: 2 (2006, 2007) If you weren't expecting Kobe Bryant to appear, you need to work on your basketball knowledge. He was footwork personified. He'd bake you with jab‑steps, isolate on switches, then erase defenders with deadly fadeaways or relentless drives. But what cements him as a pure scorer is the Mamba attitude: he demanded the last shot every time. Every single one. That obsession translated to legendary performances (like 81 points), built on craft, courage, and ice water in the veins. Only one player was a better pure scorer than Kobe, and even that can be argued by some. 1. Michael Jordan Career Total: 32,292 Points Career Average: 30.1 PPG Consecutive Seasons with 30+ PPG: 7 (1987-1993) Scoring Titles: 10 (1987–1993, 1996–1998) Michael Jordan is the prototype of pure scoring: lethal in mid-air, mid-range, inside, outside - period. No move was unscripted; every dribble, hesitation, and fadeaway was trained to perfection. Is there any doubt as to why he is the undisputed GOAT? Jordan didn't just lead in points, he dominated with consistency: 8 seasons over 30 PPG, 562 career 30-point games, 33.45 PPG in playoffs, all while brutalizing whoever stood in front of him. That relentless instinct, aggressor mentality paired with precision, is why Jordan is undisputed at # story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Best of the 21st Century Sports Teams: The best Philadelphia 76ers of the quarter century
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The past quarter-century has been quite the roller coaster for the Philadelphia 76ers. Beginning with the highs of the team's last finals appearance, and finishing with the lows of this past season's catastrophic failures, being a 76ers fan hasn't been easy over the time period. However, some of the franchise's best have stemmed from it, hall-of-famers and key role players alike. Advertisement To commemorate the past 25 years of 76ers basketball, we put together an all-quarter-century team. Guard: Allen Iverson Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena on December 10, 2005 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Career highlights: Hall of Famer 2000-01 MVP 11x All-Star 7x All-NBA 4x Scoring Champ NBA 75th Anniversary Team Perhaps no player across 76ers history has been embraced like Allen Iverson. The roars of the First Union Center as the "six foot guard from Georgetown" was announced were unlike any other, and for good reason. In 2001, Iverson took the Sixers to their first NBA Finals since 1983, bringing hope to the franchise with his toughness and competitive spirit. His statue lies outside of the team's training complex, a reminder of his contributions to one of the most exciting eras of basketball in franchise history. Advertisement Guard: Tyrese Maxey Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) shoots against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Career highlights: 2023-24 Most Improved Player 1x NBA All-Star The freshest face on this list, Maxey has already made a name for himself in the City of Brotherly Love. The star has been a consistent offensive presence for the 76ers throughout his career, playing with a unique speed and craftiness. He took a slight step back last season amid injuries and the team's overall struggles, but continues to be one of the best scorers in the league today. It will be fun to watch him grow and develop as the face of the franchise for the foreseeable future. Forward: Andre Igoudala Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives against Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on April 26, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Career highlights: 1x All-Star 04-05 All-Rookie Team 2x All-Defensive Team 2014-15 Finals MVP The man 76ers fans affectionately refer to as "Iggy" makes the team with ease, a bright spot in a strange era for the team. Iguodala was a consistent two-way weapon, a great defender who could make his mark driving towards the rim as well. Iggy left the team unceremoniously, traded to the Denver Nuggets to begin the Sixers' "Process" era. But his impact was felt, the star of a forgotten time. Advertisement Forward: Ben Simmons Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the second quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Wells Fargo Center on October 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Career highlights: 3x All-Star 2019-20 NBA Steals Champion 2017-18 Rookie of the Year 2019-20 All-NBA 2017-18 All-Rookie 2x All-Defensive Team This won't be a popular selection. We aren't too far removed from Simmons' ugly exit, holding out and forcing a trade to Brooklyn after an embarrassing playoff showing. It's easy to forget that Simmons was once Philly's "Fresh Prince", a swarming defensive presence whose skills on offense were compared to LeBron James. His versatility and athleticism make him a key part of Sixers history, even if his tenure fell short of expectations. Note: Yes, Simmons played point guard during most of his 76ers tenure. For more information on why he's not starting at point guard, see: 76ers vs Hawks Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7, 2021. Advertisement Center: Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) holds his arm after falling against the Toronto Raptors in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Career highlights: 2022-23 MVP 5x All-NBA 7x All-Star 2x Scoring Champ 3x All-Defensive Team Similar to Simmons, the city of Philadelphia has soured on Embiid, after his season was plagued by injury woes. Unlike Simmons, Embiid has more than lived up to his draft expectations, becoming one of the top players in the league for multiple years. His lack of playoff success is documented, but it can be argued that this isn't totally on him, forced to deal with dysfunctional teammates and coaches throughout his tenure. If he can recover from his offseason surgery and become even close to the player he once was, he has a chance to solidify himself as a true icon in the footsteps of Iverson. Advertisement Bench: Guard: Jrue Holiday Philadelphia 76ers guard Jrue Holiday (11) against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center. Career highlights: 2x NBA Champion 2x All-Star 6x All-Defensive Team Before Holiday became one of the NBA's most feared defenders, he got his start in Philadelphia, the team's first round pick in 2009. The guard blossomed into an All-Star in Philadelphia, one of the team's last stars before "The Process" era began. With multiple playoff appearances as a Sixers star, he's earned a spot on this team. Guard: Lou Williams Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams (23) brings he ball up court during game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. Career highlights: 3x Sixth Man of the Year 'Lou-Will', as he's affectionately called by basketball fans everywhere, is better known for his late-career renaissance with the Los Angeles Clippers. But the sixth man was an essential piece of the Sixers' post-Iverson years. He would provide a key burst to this team off the bench, giving them twenty minutes of fast-paced offense and competitiveness. Advertisement Forward: Tobias Harris Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Yet another player from an era 76ers fans might like to forget, Harris will forever be remembered as 'the guy they picked over Jimmy Butler.' His failure to live up to expectations based on his huge contract didn't help. But Harris provided the Sixers with multiple serviceable seasons, a consistent finisher around the rim and locker room leader. Even if he won't necessarily be remembered well, he deserves a spot here. Forward: Thaddeus Young Thaddeus Young #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against the Orlando Magic during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Wachovia Center on April 26, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Career highlights: 2007-08 All-Rookie Team Young was probably the closest to being chosen as a starter for this team amongst all the players coming off the bench. For his seven years in Philly, he was the perfect role player, a great defender and scorer around the basket. He might not be the flashiest player on this list, but through fulfilling his role well during his tenure, he proved to be an effective contributor. Advertisement Center: Elton Brand Philadelphia 76ers forward Elton Brand (42) defendsNew Jersey Nets center Mehmet Okur (13) during the third quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Nets defeated the Sixers 97-90 in overtime. Career highlights: 2x All-Star 2005-06 All-NBA 1999-00 Rookie of the Year These days, Brand is better recognized for his poor business decisions. Brand serves as the team's current general manager, blamed for moves like the Jimmy Butler trade and the Joel Embiid extension. Before his front office days, however, Brand was a force on the court. Signing with Philadelphia in 2008, Brand's plethora of post moves and great rim protection gave the Sixers stability in the front court for multiple playoff runs. Overshadowed by a generational talent like Embiid, Brand still should be recognized as one of the best Sixers centers of all time. Advertisement Center: Dikembe Mutumbo New Jersey Nets center Dikembe Mutumbo (L) finds himself under heavy defensive pressure from Boston Celtics forward Eric Williams (C-Rear) and Celtics forward Antoine Walker (R) in the first quarter of their NBA game in Boston, November 20, 2002. Career highlights: Hall of Famer 8x All-Star 2x Rebounding Champ 3x Blocks Champ Mutumbo's Sixers tenure was short and certainly less memorable than his stints with Denver and Atlanta. He'll always be remembered as the Big Man in the middle for the 00-01 team, though, his defensive presence at the rim terrorizing the Eastern Conference. Fans also forget Mutumbo turned in a great season in 01-02, the player's last year as a full-time NBA starter. "Mount Mutumbo" sadly passed this year, but his legacy will live on as one of the game's premier shot blockers. Guard: Aaron McKie Career highlights: 2000-01 Sixth Man of the Year McKie's appearance might be somewhat controversial. His tenure as a 76er had its ups and downs, from winning Sixth Man of the Year to his tenure being derailed by injuries. But his contribution to the franchise's greatest team of the quarter-century has to be honored, giving him the team's last spot. Advertisement Honorable Mentions James Harden, Guard: Harden's tenure didn't even come close to reaching Sixers' fans hopes, as his reputation for floundering in the playoffs continued in Philadelphia. But the star handed in a season and a half of all-star level basketball, as well as one of the franchise's defining playoff performances with game one of the 2022-23 Eastern Conference Semifinals in Boston. With less than two seasons in Philadelphia, and a reputation for not showing up when it mattered most, he can't make this list though. Eric Snow, Guard: One of the biggest contributors to the 00-01 team, it's very hard to leave Snow off this list. He brought a needed steadiness to the 76ers' offense when Allen Iverson was off the floor, a great leader on and off the floor for the team for seven seasons. Snow just barely misses the list due to his prime not reaching the heights of his peers, but his contributions were much appreciated by 76ers fans everywhere. Robert Covington, Forward: A survivor of "The Process", Covington's consistency stood out during his Sixers tenure. The wing player provided fantastic defense and stellar shooting every time he stepped on the floor, instantly becoming a fan favorite. He misses the list slightly due to never truly developing into a top-end talent, but his effort and tenacity are missed. Advertisement Kyle Korver, Forward: Korver began his career as one of the NBA's best shooters in Philadelphia, a key bench player for the team. The marksman received sixth man of the year votes for multiple seasons, due to his ability to stretch the floor and defend. But, similarly to Covington, his skill set doesn't quite reach a lot of the great players on this list. Samuel Dalembert, Center: Dalembert may be one of the most underrated 76ers of all time. Although his numbers wouldn't show up on a stat sheet, his presence was certainly felt on the defensive end of the floor, one of the best rim protectors in team history. His lack of tangible production makes it hard to put him on this list, but he certainly deserves a mention. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: All-Quarter Century Team: The best Philadelphia 76ers of 2000s
