Remembering Pat Williams

by Marc Narducci | Jul 26, 2024

It was a sad day in the sports world last week with the passing of Pat Williams at the age of 84. Those in the Philadelphia area best know Pat as the general manager of the 76ers for 12 seasons during one of the most successful eras in area sports history.

As general manager for the Sixers from 1974-75 through 1985-86, the team had a regular season record of 640-344 (.650). The Sixers’ playoff record was 83-56 (.597).

The Sixers went 34-48 during his first year as GM and then rolled off 11 consecutive winning seasons. He took over during one of the worst eras in team history. Two years before his arrival, the Sixers set an NBA record for futility by going just 9-73, still a league record for losses. The year before his arrival, the Sixers were 25-57.

During his tenure, the Sixers advanced to the NBA finals four times, winning in 1982-83—the second title in franchise history. The fans are still waiting for No. 3.

He made his biggest early splash by acquiring the rights to Julius Erving from the New York (now Brooklyn) Nets right before the start of the 1976-77 season. The Sixers would play that season in their first of four NBA championships under Williams, losing to Portland in six games.

Williams built the entire 1982-83 championship team. Under his guidance, along with the expertise of legendary talent evaluator Jack McMahon, the Sixers drafted Andrew Toney in the first round, Maurice Cheeks in the second round and acquired Bobby Jones for George McGinnis as part of a multi-player deal with Denver.

The trade that put the Sixers over the top was when he acquired Moses Malone from the Houston Rockets for Caldwell Jones and a first round pick (that turned out to be Rodney McCray).

During his first season in Philadelphia, Malone led the Sixers to the NBA championship.

Williams also drafted Charles Barkley in 1984. Barkley would become a six-time All-Star during his eight seasons in Philadelphia.

Williams, who was a Moorestown resident while guiding the Sixers, did more than build an NBA championship—he actually built a franchise from the ground up.

Williams is the person most responsible for bringing the NBA to Orlando.

He served as the Magic’s first general manager from 1989-90 through 1995-96. During Orlando’s sixth year in existence, the Magic advanced to the NBA finals before being swept in four games by the Houston Rockets.

Before coming to Philadelphia, Williams was also the GM at Chicago for four seasons and then spent one season in the same role with Atlanta.

Besides his success as a GM, nobody promoted the game of basketball more than Williams.

As somebody who had several dealings with him over the years, he was an even better person than he was a GM.

Pat Williams lived a full life and gave so much to the NBA and to those outside and his passing is a major loss to all who had the privilege to come in contact with him.

Photo Courtesy 76ers X/Twitter

Article continues below

- Seizing the Moment

After the spring season was canceled last year due to the pandemic, these standout student-athletes from South Jersey are hoping to make the most of their opportunities in 2021.

- Ready for Action

These standout athletes are holding out hope that high school sports will resume soon so they can show their stuff this spring.

Author: Marc Narducci

Remembering Pat Williams

Related Articles

Archives