2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season
| Industry | Professional basketball team |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1946 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia , United States |
Key people | Maurice Cheeks (head coach, until December 13, 2008), Tony DiLeo (interim head coach, from December 13, 2008) |
| Products | Basketball team |
Number of employees | Not specified |
| Website | https://www.nba.com/sixers/ |
The 2008–09 season for the Philadelphia 76ers represented the franchise's 70th year overall and its 60th competing in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team concluded the season with an even 41–41 win-loss record. Following a challenging start of 9–14, head coach Maurice Cheeks was dismissed and succeeded on an interim basis by Tony DiLeo, the Director of Player Personnel. Under DiLeo’s leadership, the team improved to a 32–27 record and secured a spot in the playoffs.
A highlight of the season was the revival of the team's iconic 1980s uniform design. Additionally, they triumphed over the Chicago Bulls in a game held at The Spectrum, their historic home venue from 1967 through 1996.
A significant offseason acquisition was the signing of two-time All-Star power forward Elton Brand, who agreed to a five-year contract valued at $79 million.
Important dates
- June 26: 2008 NBA Draft conducted in New York City.
- July 1: Commencement of free agency period.
- July 9: Acquisition of All-Star power forward Elton Brand.
- October 8: Preseason opener against the Boston Celtics.
- October 29: Regular season began versus Toronto Raptors.
- December 13: Head coach Maurice Cheeks was relieved of duties; Tony DiLeo appointed interim head coach.
- March 13: Final contest at Wachovia Spectrum facing off against Chicago Bulls.
- April 4: Secured playoff qualification for the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
- April 30: Eliminated from postseason following Game 6 defeat to Orlando Magic (series ended 2–4).
2008 NBA Draft
During the June 26 draft, Philadelphia selected power forward/center Marreese Speights from Florida with the 16th overall pick. Their second-round selection had previously been traded to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a future second-round pick.
Free Agency Moves
Among key free agents were Louis Amundson, Calvin Booth, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Ollie, and Louis Williams. The organization extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Iguodala and Williams.
Although Philadelphia pursued restricted free agent Josh Smith from the Atlanta Hawks, they ultimately did not secure his signature. On July 9, following trades involving Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth and waiving rights to certain unrestricted free agents, the Sixers signed Elton Brand to a five-year contract reportedly worth between $78 million and $82 million.
Further additions included point guard Royal Ivey, who signed a two-year minimum salary contract, and shooting guard Kareem Rush. Despite initial hesitations and interest from other franchises, Louis Williams committed to a five-year contract on July 31.
On August 12, terms were agreed upon with restricted free agent Andre Iguodala for a six-year, $80 million deal, which was officially finalized on August 18.
Veteran center Theo Ratliff rejoined on a one-year veteran minimum contract worth $1.4 million, announced August 19. Subsequently, on September 1, Donyell Marshall was added on a one-year league minimum contract after clearing waivers.
These calculated roster moves were designed to enhance the team’s competitiveness within both the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference throughout the upcoming campaign.
Draft selections
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Marreese Speights | Power forward | File:Flag of the United States.svg United States | Florida (So.) |
Game log
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 1
| October 29
| Toronto Raptors
|
| Lou Williams (16)
| Samuel Dalembert (17)
| Andre Iguodala (6)
| Wachovia Center
15,750
| 0–1
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
| 2
| October 31
| New York Knicks
|
| Elton Brand (24)
| Elton Brand (14)
| Andre Miller (8)
| Wachovia Center
11,717
| 1–1
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|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
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(Note: November game details are excluded here for conciseness; the team experienced varied success both at home and away, with notable contributions from Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, and Andre Miller.)
First round
During the opening round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers competed against the third seed and eventual Eastern Conference champions, the Orlando Magic. The series was tied after four games; however, the Sixers were defeated in the last two matches, ending their postseason run.
Game log
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
| 1
| April 19
| @ Orlando
|
| Andre Iguodala (20)
| Andre Iguodala (8)
| Andre Iguodala (8)
| Amway Arena
17,461
| 1–0
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 2
| April 22
| @ Orlando
|
| Andre Miller (30)
| Andre Iguodala, Theo Ratliff (8)
| Andre Iguodala (7)
| Amway Arena
17,461
| 1–1
|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"
| 3
| April 24
| Orlando
|
| Andre Iguodala (29)
| Andre Miller, Samuel Dalembert (9)
| Andre Miller (7)
| Wachovia Center
16,492
| 2–1
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 4
| April 26
| Orlando
|
| Andre Miller (17)
| Samuel Dalembert (9)
| Andre Iguodala (11)
| Wachovia Center
16,464
| 2–2
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 5
| April 28
| @ Orlando
|
| Andre Iguodala (26)
| Andre Miller (6)
| Samuel Dalembert (9)
| Amway Arena
17,461
| 2–3
|- bgcolor="#ffcccc"
| 6
| April 30
| Orlando
|
| Andre Miller (24)
| Andre Iguodala (6)
| Samuel Dalembert (13)
| Wachovia Center
16,691
| 2–4
Season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:SortElton Brand | 29 | 23 | 31.7 | .447 | .000 | .676 | 8.8 | 1.3 | 0.59 | 1.55 | 13.8 |
| Template:SortSamuel Dalembert | style="background:#d80303;color:white;" |82 | 82 | 24.8 | .498 | .000 | .734 | 8.5 | 0.2 | 0.40 | 1.78 | 6.4 |
| Template:SortReggie Evans | 79 | 7 | 14.4 | .444 | .000 | .594 | 4.6 | 0.3 | 0.52 | 0.10 | 3.3 |
| Template:SortWillie Green | 81 | 60 | 22.6 | .435 | .317 | .729 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 0.65 | 0.16 | 8.5 |
| Template:SortAndre Iguodala | style="background:#d80303;color:white;" |82 | 82 | 39.9 | .473 | .307 | .724 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 1.60 | 0.44 | 18.8 |
| Ivey, Royal}}Royal Ivey | 71 | 0 | 12.1 | .332 | .342 | .791 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.51 | 0.10 | 3.0 |
| Marshall, Donyell}}Donyell Marshall | 25 | 0 | 7.6 | .452 | .455 | .500 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.16 | 0.20 | 3.8 |
| Miller, Andre}}Andre Miller | style="background:#d80303;color:white;" |82 | 82 | 36.3 | .473 | .283 | .826 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 1..33 | 0..17 | 16..3 |
| Ratliff, Theo}}Theo Ratliff | 46 | 0 | 12..6 | .531 | .000 | .600 | 2..8 | 0..2 | 0..37 | 1..02 | 1..9 |
| Rush, Kareem}}Kareem Rush | 25 | 1 | 8..0 | .345 | .303 | 1..000 | 0..6 | 0..6 | 0..20 | 0..04 | 2..2 |
| Speights, Marreese}}Marreese Speights | 79 | 2 | 16..0 | .502 | .250 | .773 | 3..7 | 0..4 | 0..34 | 0..71 | 7..7 |
| Williams, Louis}}Louis Williams | 81 | 0 | 23..7 | .398 | .286 | .790 | 2..0 | 3..0 | 1..05 | 0..17 | 12..8 |
| Young, Thaddeus}}Thaddeus Young | 75 | 71 | 34..4 | .495 | .341 | .735 | 5..0 | 1..1 | 1..33 | 0..31 | 15..3 |
Playoffs
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Sort | 6 | 6 | 22.2 | .615 | .000 | .750 | 7.8 | 0.5 | 0.33 | 1.50 | 5.8 |
| Template:Sort | 5 | 0 | 7.2 | .222 | .000 | .750 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.60 | 0.00 | 1.4 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 6 | 24.5 | .412 | .364 | .333 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.00 | 0.17 | 7.8 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 6 | 44.8 | .449 | .393 | .652 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 1.83 | 0.00 | 21.5 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 0 | 7.5 | .273 | .286 | .750 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 1.8 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 0 | 8.3 | .375 | .364 | .000 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 2.7 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 6 | 43.0 | .475 | .300 | .824 | 6.3 | 5.3 | 1.17 | 0.17 | 21.2 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 0 | 15.7 | .818 | .000 | .500 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 0.17 | 0.67 | 3.3 |
| Template:Sort | 3 | 0 | 9.7 | .429 | .000 | .750 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.0 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 0 | 24.8 | .412 | .375 | .667 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 0.50 | 0.17 | 9.7 |
| Template:Sort | 6 | 6 | 38.2 | .449 | .417 | .833 | 4.5 | 1.3 | 1.00 | 0.17 | 12.0 |
Awards
- Thaddeus Young earned a spot on the sophomore roster for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge held during the All-Star Weekend.
Injuries and surgeries
- August 7: Jason Smith sustained an ACL rupture during an offseason NBA Camp in Las Vegas.
- February 5: Elton Brand incurred a tear in his right shoulder labrum, leading to surgery that ended his season on February 9.
Trades
| July 9, 2008 | To Philadelphia 76ers conditional second-round pick (top-55 protected; ultimately not exercised) |
To Minnesota Timberwolves Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, first-round pick in 2010, and cash considerations |
Additions
| Player | Date Signed | Previous Team |
|---|---|---|
| Elton Brand | July 9 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Royal Ivey | July 28 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Kareem Rush | July 29 | Indiana Pacers |
| Theo Ratliff | August 19 | Detroit Pistons |
| Donyell Marshall | September 1 | Seattle SuperSonics via Oklahoma City Thunder |
Departures
| Player | Departure Date | Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Herbert Hill | July 1 | Free agent |
| Louis Amundson | July 11 | Phoenix Suns |
| Shavlik Randolph | September 25 | Portland Trail Blazers |
| Kevin Ollie | September 30 | Minnesota Timberwolves |