There is no denying that the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls are two of the most storied franchises in all of basketball. Both teams have a long and illustrious history, with each team having won multiple championships. This year’s season has been one of the most exciting in recent memory, as the teams are currently tied for first place in the Eastern Conference. The rivalry between these two powerhouses is every bit as intense as one would expect; there is no doubt that this game could turn out to be one of the most entertaining games of the season. No matter which team you are rooting for, here is a brief history of the two franchises and how they came to be rivals.
The 76ers are one of the oldest professional sports franchises in America. Founded in 1946, the team was originally known as the Syracuse Nationals before being renamed the Philadelphia Warriors in 1949. The team then became known as the 76ers in 1963 after moving into the Spectrum, their home arena to this day. The original roster included Wilt Chamberlain, Connie Hawkins, Hal Greer, Billy Cunningham, and Jerry West, all of whom went on to become NBA legends in their own right. They went on to enjoy many successful seasons during the 1960's, winning back-to-back NBA Championships in 1967 and 1968 under head coach Eddie Gottlieb. Since then, the team has continued to win several titles under several different head coaches. Most recently, they won the NBA Championship in 2001 under the leadership of Hall of Famer Allen Iverson. They have made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference. Despite their continued success on the court, the 76ers have suffered from years of poor management off the field.
