Editing Philadelphia 76ers (section)

====Iverson's brief return====
[[File:Doug Collins gestures.jpg|thumb|[[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]], who played for the team from 1973 to 1981, was hired as the 76ers' head coach in 2010.]]
[[File:Josh Harris WAS-NYG NOV2023 (cropped).jpg|thumb|In 2011, [[Apollo Global Management]] co-founder [[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]] led an investment group that purchased the team for $280&nbsp;million.]]
On December 2, 2009, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that they had signed Iverson to a one-year prorated $1.3 million non-guaranteed contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4705901 |title=Iverson accepts 76ers' offer |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=December 2, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114194307/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4705901 |url-status=live }}</ref> The 76ers were 5–13 at the time and had lost Williams for at least 30 games to injury.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4704151 |title=Sixers offer Iverson deal |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113072320/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4704151 |url-status=live }}</ref> Iverson made his "re-debut" for the 76ers against the team he was traded to, the Denver Nuggets, to a thunderous ovation from the sell-out crowd, scoring 11 points, with six assists and five rebounds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/291207020 |title=Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers – Recap – December 07, 2009 – ESPN |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=December 7, 2009 |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-date=October 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003195109/http://espn.go.com/nba/recap/_/id/291207020/denver-nuggets-vs-philadelphia-76ers |url-status=dead }}</ref> The euphoria that greeted Iverson's return to the 76ers faded quickly. On February 22, Iverson announced he was leaving the 76ers indefinitely to attend to his daughter's illness, and a few weeks later the 76ers announced that Iverson would not return for the rest of the season. The 76ers finished the season with a record of 27–55, their first 50-loss season since 1998. Most cited the reason behind this as the players' inability to play within Eddie Jordan's [[Princeton offense]], with several players unhappy with his system. Hours after the 76ers' last game at Orlando on April 14, the team fired Jordan after one season. He was the fourth coach to be fired after one season or less since Larry Brown left the team in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5092747 |title=Jordan dismissed after one season |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=April 15, 2010 |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104154951/http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5092747 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On May 20, 2010, TNT analyst [[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]] was named head coach of the 76ers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/100521_collins.html|title=Philadelphia 76ers Name Doug Collins Head Coach|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|date=May 21, 2010|access-date=January 27, 2013|archive-date=December 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201070639/http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/100521_collins.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Collins played for the 76ers for his entire NBA career after being the first overall pick in the [[1973 NBA draft|1973 draft]], and had previously coached the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, and the Washington Wizards. The 76ers had the sixth-best odds at receiving the top pick in the [[2010 NBA draft|2010 draft]], and they managed to land the second overall pick, beating out the Warriors, Kings, Timberwolves, and Nets, who all had better odds. They used that draft pick to select Ohio State University's [[Evan Turner]].

The 76ers started the season with an uninspiring 3–13 mark, but started turning things around, to finish with a 41–41 record. They clinched a playoff berth on April 1, 2011, their third in the last four years. The 76ers faced the heavily favored Heat in the first round, and ultimately fell to them in five games. Although they lost the series, Collins was praised for turning around a lottery team in his first season, as well as winning a playoff game when many pundits predicted that the 76ers would be swept. Collins also finished second in Coach of the Year voting.

On July 13, 2011, Comcast-Spectacor reached an agreement to sell the 76ers to an investment group led by [[Apollo Global Management]] co-founder [[Josh Harris (businessman)|Josh Harris]] for $280&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sale of 76ers to Joshua Harris finished |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/6767259/sale-philadelphia-76ers-joshua-harris-group |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 28, 2023 |date=July 13, 2011 |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601205413/http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/6767259/sale-philadelphia-76ers-joshua-harris-group |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=[[KTRK-TV|ABC13]] |title=76ers officially sold to new owners |url=https://abc13.com/archive/8395925/ |date=October 18, 2011 |access-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328173838/https://abc13.com/archive/8395925/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other members of the group included [[David Blitzer]], [[Art Wrubel]], [[Jason Levien]], [[Adam Aron]], [[Martin Geller]], [[David Heller]], [[James Lassiter]], [[Marc Leder]], [[Michael G. Rubin|Michael Rubin]], [[Will Smith]], [[Jada Pinkett Smith]], and [[Erick Thohir]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fagan |first1=Kate |title=Those who know him say Joshua Harris, soon-to-be Sixers owner, lives for competition and success |url=https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/those-who-know-him-say-joshua-harris-soon-to-be-sixers-owner-lives-competition-success-20110802.html |website=Inquirer.com |date=August 2, 2011 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325155357/https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/those-who-know-him-say-joshua-harris-soon-to-be-sixers-owner-lives-competition-success-20110802.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111018005952/en/Group-Led-by-Joshua-Harris-Completes-Purchase-of-Philadelphia-76ers | title=Group Led by Joshua Harris Completes Purchase of Philadelphia 76ers | publisher=[[Business Wire]] | date=October 18, 2011}}</ref> Harris decided to retain head coach Doug Collins and president of basketball operations Rod Thorn but fired Ed Stefanski, who served as general manager since 2007.

For the season, the 76ers had their best start since 2000–01 with a 20–9 record, battling for the Eastern Conference's best record and taking a firm division lead. They finished the rest of the season 15–22, giving them a 35–31 record. Attributed to their lack of offense, the 76ers lost hold of the top-three seed and division championship that they held for most of the season, by going on the losing streak. Nevertheless, they clinched their fourth playoff berth in the last five years on the penultimate play date of the season.

Philadelphia earned the eighth seed in the [[2012 NBA playoffs]], facing the first-seeded Bulls. Philadelphia improved from their struggles in the second half of the regular season, beating Chicago 4–2 to win their first series since 2003. This was the fifth time in NBA history that an eight seed has beaten a one seed. They then faced their rival, the [[Boston Celtics]], in the second round, and were eliminated 4–3. The 76ers again faced criticism for their lack of a true scorer, as they were not able to keep pace with the Celtics' scoring.

In an effort to re-tool for the upcoming season, The 76ers selected [[Maurice Harkless]], and [[Arnett Moultrie]] (via trade with Miami) in the [[2012 NBA draft]]. The 76ers then used their amnesty clause on Brand, traded for [[Dorell Wright]], signed [[Nick Young (basketball)|Nick Young]], [[Kwame Brown]], and Ivey, and re-signed [[Spencer Hawes]], while [[Lavoy Allen]], Williams, and [[Jodie Meeks]] left through free agency. On August 9, 2012, the 76ers agreed to a four-team trade with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], the Magic, and the Nuggets. In the trade that sent six-time All-Star [[Dwight Howard]] to the Lakers, Philadelphia agreed to send 2011 first-round pick [[Nikola Vučević]], 2012 first-round draft pick Harkless, and a future first-round draft pick to Orlando, as well as All-Star [[swingman]] Iguodala to Denver. In exchange, they received [[Jason Richardson]] from the Magic and All-Star center [[Andrew Bynum]] from the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sources: Dwight Howard to Lakers|date=August 9, 2012|url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/8252042/sources-dwight-howard-los-angeles-lakers-four-team-deal-complete|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 10, 2012|archive-date=November 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103025808/http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/8252042/sources-dwight-howard-los-angeles-lakers-four-team-deal-complete|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 76ers started the [[2012–13 NBA season|2012–13 season]] with high expectations with the help of Bynum and the growth of the young 76ers. Bynum's debut with the 76ers took a hit when he was sidelined for precautionary reasons, in relation to the [[Orthokine]] knee procedure he received during the off-season. At first it looked like Bynum would be out only shortly, but little success in healing and setbacks pushed Bynum's return date further and further. As a result of many setbacks, on March 19, the 76ers announced that Bynum would have season-ending surgery on both knees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=400278713|title=Spencer Hawes, Jrue Holiday lift 76ers past Trail Blazers|work=ESPN.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121524/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400278713|url-status=live}}</ref> Bynum was not the only Sixer to suffer through injuries. On February 8, Richardson also went through a season-ending knee surgery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/sixers/index.ssf/2013/02/sixers_jason_richardson_needs.html|title=Sixers' Jason Richardson needs surgery, out 9–12 months|work=NJ.com|date=February 8, 2013|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016121524/http://www.nj.com/sixers/index.ssf/2013/02/sixers_jason_richardson_needs.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Nick Young, and Ivey also had injuries that sidelined them for weeks. By the end of the season, Turner and Hawes were the only 76ers to play in every game during the season. The 76ers started the season 12–9 but stumbled through a tough stretch and could not recover. The 76ers finished the season 34–48, missing the playoffs for the first time since Collins had taken over as head coach.

On April 18, Collins resigned as 76ers coach, citing his declining health and need to spend time with his grandchildren. He stayed with the team as an adviser.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/sixers/2013/04/18/doug-collins-resigns-as-76ers-coach/2093255/|title=It's official: Doug Collins resigns as 76ers coach|author=Dan Gelston, AP|date=April 18, 2013|work=USA TODAY|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=June 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619065146/http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/sixers/2013/04/18/doug-collins-resigns-as-76ers-coach/2093255/|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after, general manager DiLeo had "cut ties" with the team. On May 11, it was announced that [[Sam Hinkie]], who had previously worked for the [[Houston Rockets]], would replace DiLeo as general manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/05/11/sports/doc518dc85206b72543175506.txt|title=Tony DiLeo out as Sixers GM; Rockets' Sam Hinkie in|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623075230/http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2013/05/11/sports/doc518dc85206b72543175506.txt|archive-date=June 23, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> On July 8, it was announced that Adam Aron had stepped down as CEO and was being replaced by Scott O'Neil.