Billy King sixers general manager

H o o p s C o r n e r . c o m

HoopsCorner

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December 05, 2007

The year was 1997. The Sixers had just wrapped up a headline filled season with rookie of the year Allen Iverson. Team president Pat Croce was looking for a way to turn all this buzz into something special. For that he also needed key people running the show.

When the Sixers began the 1997-98 season, They had a new coach, Larry Brown (their 3rd in 3 seasons) and a new general manager, Billy King.

With Pat Croce as president, Billy as GM, and Larry coaching, the 76ers' steadily rose from the bottom ranks to becoming a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. They won the Eastern Conference crown in the 2000-01 season.

During the team's rise, each front office personel mentioned earlier was a force in their respective field and also very well respected among their peers. It helped that they had a player whom basketball fans wanted to know something about.

After their magical title run in 2001, Pat Croce lost a power struggle with team Chairman Ed Snider and was shown the door. Then in 2003 Larry Brown decided there was better opportunity elsewhere for himself.

The last of the 3 frontmen remaining was Billy King. And as of now the Sixers have finally decided to let go of him as well. It wasn't so long ago that he was considered one of the best GMs and most powerful sports figures. However in the past few years he couldn't make a right move, and chairman Ed Snider sensed that his touch was finished.

Though it was former sixers GM, Brad Greenberg who drafted Allen Iverson, after Pat Croce left, it was the support of Billy King that helped cement Iverson's loyalty to the team and the city. There's no doubt The Answer would've retired a Sixer if given the choice.

As we look back, we can say Mr King made solid moves to turn the team into a contender. On the flip side it can be said that he was never able to get a true #2 on the team for Iverson. Given the circumstances (Iverson vs Coach Brown), King could've been the one to convince Iverson ofthe possiblities that could be realized.

Nevertheless, he made his mark in the league, and somewhere, some team in need of a proven rebuilder is taking notice.

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