Philadelphia has had some of the most iconic centers in NBA history.
Having a big man control the floor has always been a focal point for the 76ers. Fans have debated where each respective player ranks throughout the years, and with the talent we’ve witnessed in Philadelphia, the list will likely differ with each fan you talk to. Let’s dive into the most elite big men to grace their talents in South Philly.
5. Darryl Dawkins (Career Average 57.2% FG, 12 PPG)
Known as “Chocolate Thunder,” Darryl Dawkins was an iconic Sixer who helped lead the team throughout the 1970s era of basketball.
He was drafted by the Sixers in 1970, staying with the team until 1982 before joining the New Jersey Nets when they left the ABA. Clearly his numbers show he wasn’t “elite” by any means, but he was the type of big man you rely on night in and out to get consistent numbers and rim protection.
Dawkins gave his heart and soul when playing, something Philly fans will always appreciate.
4. Dikembe Mutombo (Career Average 51.8% FG, 9.8 PPG)
Separating four and five on this list was difficult, but I think going with Mutombo in this slot is the right move. Obviously, his offense game is lacking compared to most of his peers on this list, but the dominance he showcased on defense alone gave the Sixers what they needed at the time the acquired him during the Allen Iverson era.
When the team traded for him mid-way through the 2000 season, he helped take the Sixers to a finals bid against the Los Angeles Lakers. Facing the likes of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in their primes would be no easy task, but the Sixers miraculously stole game one in L.A. before losing the next four.
Mutombo was on the back end of his career, but still gave the Sixers his all adding the defensive presence the team needed so desperately. He will always be remembered in Philadelphia as an elite presence around the rim.
3. Joel Embiid (Career Average 47.9% FG, 24.1 PPG)
Joel “The Process” Embiid embodies the current Philadelphia 76ers and everything they stand for.
Philadelphia survived the tanking and Joel continues to try to take the next steps toward leading a championship roster. Embiid has already proven himself to a certain extent, arguably as the top center in the NBA. He still has many things to fix when it comes to competing for a finals championship, but the key elements are there.
Sixers fans need to keep their faith in JoJo. At just 26-years-old, he could even climb this list in the near future at his current pace. Embiid has so much more to accomplish, expect this Sixers team to tweak the team around him for the foreseeable future. “The Process” may be the most talented athlete in Philadelphia right now and we should only expect his play to improve.
Going on six seasons in the league, JoJo has been an All-Star three times, as well as a 2x All-NBA player. If Joel can figure out how to mature and become the leader this team needs, the potential for the near future is endless.
2. Moses Malone (Career Average 49.5% FG, 30.3 PPG)
Moses Malone is often forgotten about when ranking the top-20 NBA players of all time, but he is very much deserves to be in that conversation.
Malone was the missing piece for the 80s era 76ers squad, and proved to be the perfect addition to take the team to the next level. When acquired in the 1982-’83 season, the Sixers immediately took that next step and won the finals.
The big fella was arguably one of the best trade acquisitions in NBA history. Malone stayed with the team until ’86, when he left for the Washington Bullets. Malone often gets glossed over as he seemed to be a “journeyman” type free agent, roaming from team to team in the ABA and NBA. This is a big reason why I think NBA fans don’t necessarily consider him as an all-time great center. Other than his championship year in Philadelphia, fans don’t really correlate Malone as the leader of any elite team, he was always considered as a second-tier guy, even if he played as a top tier star at times.
Moses is a huge reason the Sixers won a championship in the 80s and he should be remembered for his dominance on both ends of the floor.
1. Wilt Chamberlain – (Career Average 54% FG, 30.1 PPG)
Wilt Chamberlain is undoubtedly the best center the city of Philadelphia has ever seen.
I had some internal conflict saying this as many fans and critics point out the lack of competition and skill in the league at the time Wilt was an elite NBA star. Even so, his consistent showings of dominance stunned basketball fans, especially at this time with the game at its infancy.
How could anyone forget the impact he had on the game, with staples like his iconic 100-point game played in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Wilt entered the NBA playing for the Philadelphia Warriors, now known as the Golden State Warriors.
After four seasons in Philadelphia, the team moved to San Francisco with Wilt remaining on the roster. After a short stint in California, Wilt returned to Philadelphia on the Sixers, where he played another four years before moving onto the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wilt set the bar when it came to basketball in Philadelphia.