The Philadelphia 76ers are set to reintroduce their classic black uniforms from the 2000-01 NBA season as their `Hardwood Classic Edition` for the upcoming year. This initiative commemorates the 25th anniversary of the team`s Eastern Conference championship run and Allen Iverson`s MVP season, during which he led the league with an average of 31 points per game.
The team officially unveiled the throwback uniforms, which will make their debut on November 8th when the 76ers host the Toronto Raptors. They are scheduled to be worn for 14 additional home games and six away games against teams that were playoff contenders in the 2000-01 season.
These all-black jerseys were a staple for the 76ers between 1997 and 2009. The 2000-01 roster, featuring Iverson and Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo, is remembered as one of the most accomplished in franchise history.
“Some of my favorite memories came when I was wearing this uniform,” Eric Snow, a guard from the 2000-01 team, reflected. “This uniform represented the connection of players with the city and 76ers fans. Although we didn’t accomplish our ultimate goal, I’m still thankful for the time I played in the 76ers uniform. Even now, I still meet people wherever I go who speak about the passion they had for our team and that run.”
The `Hardwood Classic Edition` replicates the original design, featuring `Sixers` prominently across the chest and a `76` logo on the shorts. A distinctive `Sixers` watermark, with a star replacing the dot over the `i` and a basketball swooping beneath it, is also incorporated, a design element used by the franchise from 1997 to 2009.
Complementing the uniforms, the 76ers also revealed a specially designed classic-edition court that will be used for these games.
“This uniform is more than just a piece of fabric; it represents an era of franchise history that embraced a distinct identity and captured the attention of the entire city,” Lara Price, 76ers Chief Operating Officer, stated. “To see these uniforms back out on that court will bring back a lot of nostalgia, and we are excited to share that in many different ways with our fans this season.”
In the 2000-01 season, Philadelphia achieved a 56-26 record and advanced to the NBA Finals, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. This marked the team`s most recent Finals appearance.
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