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3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Must read for late 70's/early 80's Sixers Fans Feb 18, 2000
By George
I loved this book growing up. Pat Williams, who later went on to become the GM of the Orlando Magic, details the ascent of the sixers from the "9-73ers" of the early 70's to the 1983 World Champions.Anyone who appreciates the golden era of the NBA, with all its outrageousnous (see Darryl Dawkins), will enjoy this quick read.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
An interesting study in building a championship team Mar 22, 2011
By Barry Sparks
"freelance writer"
Philadelphia Sixers General Manager Pat Williams and Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Bill Lyon chronicle the rise of the Sixers from an inept 9-73 NBA doormat in 1972-1973 to a championship team in 1982-1983.
The Sixers started to turn things around during the 1975-76 season when they acquired ABA star George McGinnis and went 46-36. The Sixers, however, were ousted in the first round of the playoffs.
Even though the club acquired Julius "Dr. J" Erving the following season and posted a 50-32 mark, Portland beat them in the championship round in six games. Some people feel the 1976-1977 Sixers were the best team never to win a championship.
Bitterly disappointed, the front office came up with the slogan "We Owe You One" for the 1977-1978 season. The Sixers would not be able to deliver a championship for five seasons.
From 1976-1977 to 1982-83, the Sixers were defeated three times in the championship series--once by the Trail Blazers and twice by the Lakers. The Sixers were also ousted by Boston in the semifinals after blowing a 3-1 lead.
The acquisition of Moses Malone prior to the 1982-82 season proved to be the Sixers' missing link. The Sixers finally delivered a championship, winning 12 of 13 playoff games, including a four-game sweep of the Lakers in the finals.
The Sixers uphill struggle is a story of three owners, trades (some good and some bad), drafts (some good and some bad), stop-gap measures, frustrations, risks and personalities.
As Pat Williams writes, "One redeeming aspect of sports is that there's always another season." He adds, "The building is never complete, the quest never ends."
You don't have to be a Sixers fan to enjoy this book (although he doesn't hurt). If you're interested in knowing how a championship team is put together, you'll enjoy the insights offered by Pat Williams.
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