Editing Philadelphia 76ers (section)

====Arrival of Charles Barkley====
{{Further|Charles Barkley}}
After a disappointing [[1983–84 NBA season|1983–84 season]], which ended with a five-game loss to the upstart [[New Jersey Nets]] in the first round of the [[1984 NBA playoffs|playoffs]], [[Charles Barkley]] arrived in Philadelphia for the [[1984–85 NBA season|1984–85 season]]. For the next eight seasons, Barkley brought delight to the Philadelphia fans thanks to his humorous and sometimes controversial ways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bezbrige.com/index.php/Shocking/the-most-controversial-men-in-sports.html |title=The Most Controversial Men in Sports |publisher=Bezbrige.com |access-date=January 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122144145/http://www.bezbrige.com/index.php/Shocking/the-most-controversial-men-in-sports.html |archive-date=January 22, 2013}}</ref> The 76ers returned to the Eastern Conference Finals in Barkley's rookie season, but lost to the [[Boston Celtics]] in five games. As it turned out, they would never again advance as far during Barkley's tenure in Philadelphia. Following the 1984–85 season, [[Matt Guokas]] replaced Billy Cunningham as head coach. Guokas led the 76ers to a 54–28 record and the second round of the [[1986 NBA playoffs|1986 playoffs]], where they were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in seven games.

On June 16, 1986, Katz made two of the most controversial and highly criticized personnel moves in franchise history, trading Moses Malone to Washington and the first overall pick in the [[1986 NBA draft]], which had been obtained from the [[San Diego Clippers]] in a 1979 trade for [[Joe Bryant]], to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]]. In return, the 76ers received [[Roy Hinson]], [[Jeff Ruland]], and [[Clifford T. Robinson|Cliff Robinson]], none of whom played more than three seasons with the team. Cleveland, meanwhile, turned their acquired pick into future All-Star [[Brad Daugherty (basketball)|Brad Daugherty]].

On the night of the [[1986–87 NBA season|1986–87 season]] opener, Julius Erving announced he would retire after the season, which was subsequently filled with tributes in each arena the 76ers visited. On the court, the team suffered through an injury-plagued campaign, but still managed to make the playoffs with a 45–37 record. Their season would end at the hands of the Bucks again, this time in a best-of-five first-round series that went the distance.