Steven Charles Mix (born December 30, 1947), nicknamed "The Mayor", is an American former professional basketball player and coach. Mix had a thirteen year playing career, was an NBA All-Star and played in the NBA Finals on four occasions. Mix was a power forward with a 13-year career from 1969 to 1972 and from 1973 to 1983, playing in the National Basketball Association, with one year in the Cont
inental Basketball Association and one game in the American Basketball Association. Mix was selected in the fifth round of the 1969 NBA draft with the 61st pick by the Detroit Pistons. Mix was also drafted by the Carolina Cougars of the ABA in the 1969 ABA draft.[4]
On August 29, 1973, Mix signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers. Mix's career turned around with the 76ers in 1973–74 and he would remain with the team for nine seasons. Mix played in all 82 games for the 1973–74 76ers, averaging a double-double 14.9 points and 10.5 rebounds, with 2.6 steals under coach Gene Shue. The 76ers finished the season with a record of 25–57.[13]
In 1974–75, Mix averaged 15.6 points and 10.9 rebounds as Philadelphia finished 34–48. Mix made the NBA All-Star team, but played in only 46 games due to injury.[14]
The 76ers improved to 46–36 in 1975–76, as Mix averaged 13.9 points 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 81 games, playing alongside Doug Collins, George McGinnis, Billy Cunningham and rookie Lloyd Free. The 76ers lost to the Buffalo Braves in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.[15]
Philadelphia scored a coup when they obtained Julius Erving before the 1976–77 season. The 76ers also added Henry Bibby, Caldwell Jones and Darryl Dawkins to the roster. The 76ers finished the regular season 50–32, with Mix averaging 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. In the playoffs, Philadelphia beat the Boston Celtics 4 games to 3 and the Houston Rockets 4–2 to advance to the 1977 NBA Finals. In the finals, Philadelphia fell to Bill Walton and the Portland Trail Blazers 4–2.[16]
In 1977–78, Mix averaged 9.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 22 minutes per game, as Philadelphia finished 55–27. After Philadelphia started the started the season with 2–4 record, Billy Cunningham replaced Gene Shue as head coach. The 76ers were defeated by the Washington Bullets in the Eastern Conference Finals.[17]
Mix averaged 9.3 points and 4.0 rebounds as the 76ers added Bobby Jones to the 1978–79 roster. The team finished 47–35, losing to the San Antonio Spurs 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.[18]
In 1979–80, Philadelphia finished 59–23, with Mix averaging 11.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists. The 76ers defeated the Washington Bullets 2–0, the Atlanta Hawks 4–1 and the Boston Celtics, with rookie Larry Bird, 4–1 to reach the 1980 NBA Finals against rookie Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers won the series 4–2.[19]
Mix averaged 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists for the 76ers in 1980–81 at age 33. Philadelphia finished 62–20, as Andrew Toney joined the roster. Philadelphia defeated the Indiana Pacers 2–0 and the Milwaukee bucks 4–3, before losing 4-3 to the eventual NBA champions Boston Celtics 4–3 in the Eastern Conference Finals.[20]
In 1981–82, Mix saw his playing time decrease at age 34 in what became his final season playing in Philadelphia. He averaged 7.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 75 games under coach Cunningham and assistant Chuck Daly. The 76ers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 2–0, the Milwaukee Bucks 4–2 and the defending champions Boston Celtics 4–3 to reach the 1982 NBA Finals. In the NBA Finals, the 76ers lost again to the Los Angeles Lakers 4–2, behind playoff MVP Magic Johnson.[21]
In nine seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, Mix played in 668 games, averaging 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals.[5]
