Andrew Toney
The 'Boston Strangler,' a clutch scorer who led the 76ers to their 1983 title.
Andrew Toney (born November 23, 1957) is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Philadelphia 76ers from 1980 to 1988. A two-time NBA All-Star in 1983 and 1984, he won an NBA championship with the team in 1983. During that title run, he averaged 19.7 points per game alongside Hall of Famers Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Bobby Jones, and Maurice Cheeks. His dominance against the Boston Celtics was so profound that sportswriters dubbed him "the Boston Strangler." Contemporary greats like Larry Bird and Sidney Moncrief placed Toney on par with Michael Jordan offensively, while Bob Ryan called him "the most forgotten great player in NBA history."
- Primary Affiliation
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Active Era
- 1980 to 1988
- Position
- Guard
- Major Achievement
- 1983 NBA Champion
- Draft Year
- 1980
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Toney's reputation was forged in the fires of his rivalry with the Boston Celtics. In his rookie season, he erupted for 35 points against them in a late 1981 regular-season game. The following year, during the Eastern Conference Finals, he scored 26 points in Game 1 and 35 in Game 2, both played in Boston. The Sixers ultimately lost that series after holding a 3–1 lead, falling to the Celtics 120-106 in Game 7. Despite the defeat, Toney's legacy was cemented in those battles. On March 7, 1982, he also dropped 46 points against the Lakers and Hall of Famer Michael Cooper in the regular season. His ability to single-handedly dominate these matchups earned him the nickname 'the Boston Strangler,' a moniker reflecting his fearlessness in high-pressure situations.
In Their Own Story
The narrative of Toney's career is defined by both brilliance and heartbreak. As a senior at Birmingham’s Glenn High School, he averaged 37 points per game and once scored 68 points in a regional tournament. At the University of Southwestern Louisiana, he set nine school records and finished with 2,526 points, 13th highest in NCAA history at the time. After being drafted eighth overall in 1980, he joined Julius Erving in Philadelphia. His playoff average against the Celtics reached 19.8 points per game compared to his career playoff average of 17.4. Despite his success, chronic foot injuries cut his career short after seven seasons, with only five healthy years. The team's doctors initially found no injuries and forced him to play while he was in pain; it was later revealed by a private physician that he had stress fractures in both feet and had been playing on two broken feet. In 1985, the relationship soured further when NBA employees camped outside his house at night to force a drug test based on unsubstantiated rumors.
Reader's Guide
Fans should look for Toney's impact in specific statistical anomalies and historic moments. He was named First Team All-Southland Conference three times (1978, 1979, 1980) and led his college team to a Southland Conference title in 1977. In the NBA, he ranked second in three-point field goal percentage in 1981-82 (.424) and sixth in 1984-85 (.371), with a remarkable lifetime field goal percentage of 50.0%. His clutch gene was legendary; after winning a game against Nevada-Reno by making two free throws with seconds left as a junior, he famously said, "I like pressure situations. ... They build up my blood." Following the 1983 championship, Hall of Fame Laker coach Pat Riley stated, "Toney is probably the toughest clutch shooter in the league today .... He is just impervious to pressure." His legacy was further solidified when Larry Bird called him one of two shooting guards he feared most, the other being Michael Jordan.
Did You Know?
- Toney once scored 68 points in a regional tournament game while attending Glenn High School.
- During the 1983 Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 in Boston, the Celtics crowd chanted 'Beat L.A.' to urge their team to beat the Lakers, not to support the 76ers.
- Toney played on two broken feet (stress fractures) for years because team doctors initially found no injuries and forced him to play.
- As a senior in high school, he allowed female teammate Sandra Murray to join the boys' basketball team after she asked his permission as team captain.
- In 1985, NBA employees camped outside Toney's house all night to insist he take a drug test based on unsubstantiated rumors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Andrew Toney?
He was a professional basketball guard who spent his entire career with the Philadelphia 76ers between 1980 and 1988. Known for his scoring ability, he remains one of the franchise's most beloved offensive weapons from that era.
What nickname did Andrew Toney earn?
Sportswriters called him 'the Boston Strangler' because of how effectively he scored against their rivals during playoff runs. This moniker highlighted his specific dominance over the Celtics in crucial moments.
Did Andrew Toney win a championship?
Yes, he was a key member of the 1983 NBA Championship team alongside legends like Julius Erving and Moses Malone. During that title run, he averaged 20 points per game to help secure the victory.
How did other players view Andrew Toney's talent?
Contemporary stars such as Larry Bird and Sidney Moncrief considered his offensive skills comparable to Michael Jordan. This high praise underscores his reputation as an elite scorer during the 1980s.
What were Andrew Toney's All-Star selections?
He was selected as a two-time NBA All-Star in both 1983 and 1984. These honors recognized his status as one of the league's premier guards during his peak years with Philadelphia.
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