Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006)

Allen Iverson was selected as the first pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 NBA Draft after two seasons at Georgetown. Listed at 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) tall, Iverson became the shortest first overall pick ever, in a league normally dominated by taller players.

Coming to a Philadelphia team that had just finished the previous season at 18-64, Iverson was only able to help the Sixers to a 22–60 record. But still, he was named as the 1996 Rookie of the Year and was also a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team, after averaging 23.5 points per game, 7.5 assists per game and 2.1 steals per game. Iverson continued to help the 76ers move forward the following season, as they improved nine games to finish 31-51.

The lockout-shortened 1998-1999 season would mark great improvement for the 76ers. Iverson led the league in scoring averaging 26.8 points per game, earning his first scoring title and was named to his first All NBA first team. The 76ers finished the season at 28-22, earning Iverson his first trip to the playoffs. He started all ten playoff games and averaged 28.5 points per game despite being hampered by a number of nagging injuries. Iverson led the Philly to an upset over the number three seeded Orlando Magic in four games, before losing to Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers in the second round in six games.

Prior to the next season, Iverson signed a six-year, $70 million contract extension. That year, the 76ers would continue to improve under Iverson's leadership, as they finished 49-33, once again qualifying for the playoffs and this time earning the fifth seed, one spot higher than the previous year's sixth seed. Iverson averaged 26.2 points, 4.8 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in the playoffs. Philadelphia would advance past the Charlotte Hornets in the opening round, but was eliminated again by Indiana led by Reggie Miller in the second round in six games for the second straight year.

That season, Iverson was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the first time of what would be 11 straight selections. He was the only player other than Shaquille O'Neal to receive a MVP vote that year. In the 2000 off-season, the 76ers actively tried to trade Iverson after his numerous disagreements with then-coach Larry Brown, and had agreed to terms with the Detroit Pistons before Matt Geiger, who was included in the deal, refused to forfeit his $5 million trade kicker. When it became apparent that Iverson would remain a member of the Sixers, Iverson and Brown put their differences aside to make another attempt at a NBA championship.