1982–83 76ers : The Year of Lead, third and final title for a historic franchise

Published on December 22, 2025 4 min. reading

Philadelphia 1983. The year of the title. The culmination of an obsessive quest. It wasn’t just a victory. It was the establishment of a benchmark. The 76ers wanted the ring. They delivered a masterpiece of domination. Direct style, clinical execution. A team that entered the legend by the express lane.

The Context : The End of the Curse

The Sixers were cursed. Three lost finals between 1977 and 1982. Julius Erving, ‘Dr. J’, was a demigod, but he still lacked an NBA ring. The defeat against the Lakers in 1982 was one failure too many.

Philadelphia took action. The summer of 1982 changed history. Moses Malone, reigning MVP centre, arrived. A tough inside player and tireless rebounder, Malone was the missing piece. The core was solid: Erving, Maurice Cheeks at point guard, and Bobby Jones as an elite defender. The promise was simple: win. Nothing else was acceptable.

Regular season : 65 wins, the league is warned

The integration was immediate. Philadelphia got off to a strong start: 20 wins and only 2 losses. The machine was set in motion. The Sixers finished the season with an overwhelming record: 65 wins and 17 losses. The best record in the league. Their domination was total.

Moses Malone justified his transfer. He had a monster season : 24.5 points and 15.3 rebounds per game. He was the NBA’s best rebounder. And he won another MVP title. He was supported by Julius Erving, who was still going strong with 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. This team dominated the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference; in short, they crushed everything in their path.

Their offence was fluid. Their defence was suffocating. Philadelphia held their opponents to 104.4 points per game while scoring 112.1 points themselves. The chemistry was perfect. The Sixers entered the playoffs as the clear favourites. The title was their only goal.

The Playoff Campaign : ‘ Fo’, Fo’, Fo’ ’

Before the playoffs, Moses Malone utters his legendary prophecy: ‘Fo’, Fo’, Fo’.’ (Four, Four, Four. He predicts three sweeps), setting the tone and embracing the trash talk. The result was almost perfect: 12 wins, only 1 loss.

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals : Vs Knicks

Result : 4-0 Sweep

Malone kept his word. The Knicks were overwhelmed by the defensive intensity of the 76ers. Philadelphia posted an average margin of +13.5 points per game. A demonstration of strength.

Eastern Conference Finals : vs Bucks

Result : 4-1 sweep

The only hiccup. The Bucks, led by Sidney Moncrief, put up fierce resistance. Philadelphia suffered its only defeat of the tournament (Game 4). Malone and Erving quickly regained control. Philadelphia secured its ticket to the Finals. The prophecy is adjusted: ‘Fo’, Fi’, Fo’’.

NBA Finals: Vs Lakers (The reckoning)

Result : Sweep 4-0

The ultimate test. After two defeats in the NBA Finals in 1980 and 1982, the Sixers are hungry. Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar await the Sixers.

Moses Malone is unplayable. He dominates Kareem. His stats for the series: 25.8 points and 18.0 rebounds. Kareem is completely shut down in the paint, finishing with only 7.5 rebounds for the series.

The Lakers are powerless. Game 4 is won 115-108. The Sixers are NBA champions. Moses Malone is logically named MVP of the Finals. The quest is complete.

The Legacy: The Most Dominant Team

The 76ers’ 1982-83 season remains a benchmark for efficiency. Their combined record (season + playoffs) was 77 wins and 18 losses. It was one of the greatest displays of dominance in history. Their 12-1 playoff record is legendary. They were the first team to achieve such a feat since the expansion to 16 teams.

This team was the crowning glory of a beloved player and superstar (Dr. J), and it was also one of the best trades in history with the arrival of reigning MVP Moses Malone, who immediately brought home a ring.

A title built on frustration. A victory rooted in facts. The 1982-83 76ers didn’t just win. They crushed the league and left an indelible mark on the NBA. Even if it wasn’t Fo’ Fo’ Fo’, but Fo’ Fi’ Fo’, these Sixers had one of the greatest regular seasons in history, coupled with the second most dominant playoff campaign in history.