Ex-Sixers big man Theo Ratliff spoke about his favorite season as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. In particular, Ratliff told Alex Kenedy of the Hoopshype that the best season in his 16-year career was the 2000-01 season.
The Wyoming alumni is ranked 22nd in blocks in All-Time list, averaging 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his career. Despite Ratliff being traded during that year, he said it was really amazing to play in the same team with Allen Iverson.
“When he sprained his ankle, it looked like he broke his ankle, but then he’d be right back out here. His will and determination and pain tolerance was right up there with Kobe . He was just able to will himself to do certain things,” Ratliff said on Iverson.
“When we were down, we knew where to go,” Ratliff continued. “We’d find him, he’d find the ball, and he would just take over games. Just from his leadership on the floor, that helped us be at our best. We had a lot of guys who were just kind of journeyman guys who hadn’t really stepped out and came into their own when we came over to the Sixers to play alongside him – guys like Aaron McKie, Eric Snow, George Lynch.
He helped push us and elevated our game and our status as NBA players. He’s a tremendous guy, a tremendous person as well. Very giving, very family-oriented. He takes his time, even to this day, to speak to your kids and give his story and talk about what he did and the ups and downs of his life. He’s just a tremendous individual.”
