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The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced their eligible candidates for the class of 2016, and the Philadelphia 76ers are well represented. Amongst the nominations include Allen Iverson, Bobby Jones, and Maurice Cheeks. Other notable names include legendary big men Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal.
There should be little doubt that "The Answer" is a first ballot hall of famer. Iverson played 14 seasons in the NBA, including 12 memorable years in Philadelphia. His list of accolades is lengthy; an 11-time All Star, four-time NBA scoring champion, rookie of the year in 1997, and MVP of the 2000-01 season where he led the Sixers to an NBA Finals appearance. In 914 career NBA games, he averaged 26.7 points and 6.2 assists in 41.1 minutes per game. His career was filled with controversy, but there's no denying the impact he had in Philadelphia, and globalizing the game of basketball.
Bobby Jones played for the Sixers from 1978-1986, and was part of the 1983 NBA championship team. He was also a three-time All-Star (1978, 1981, 1982), and was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 1983 as well. Philadelphia retired his No. 24 jersey shortly after he retired in 1986. Jones finished with career averages of 11.5 points, 5.5 points, and 2.4 assists.
Maurice Cheeks was drafted by the Sixers in the second round of the 1978 NBA Draft, and he went on to play 11 years with the team. He was on the 1983 Championship team with Jones, and a four-time All-Star during his time in Philadelphia (1983, 1986-1988). After he retired in 1993, he joined the Sixers coaching staff as an assistant from 1994-2001. Cheeks coached the Portland Trail Blazers from 2001-2005, but returned to Philadelphia to become the team's head coach for just over three seasons.
Other eligible Hall of Famers with Sixers ties include Chris Webber and Glenn Robinson, who both sort of played for Philadelphia, although everyone tries to forget.
Finalists for the Hall of Fame will be announced February 12, with enshrinement scheduled for September 8-10, 2016.