Credit: philly.com

I didn’t care at all about Hip-Hop.

The Sixers had never given me reasons to care. In a self-proclaimed “blue-collar” city, Hip-Hop represented none of that. He wasn’t as silly or entertaining as the Phanatic and had no real “roots” in town. His trampoline dunks were nice, but no one cared about seeing that happen for the thousandth time. No one cared at all.

Anyway, the main point of this move is, again, to build up goodwill, part of a larger effort to gain more fans. It’s not the first move, and hopefully not the last. Announcing slashed ticket prices at the opening press conference was a nice start. They also announced the opening of a new website for fans to give their suggestions (which led to Hip-Hop’s departure). They also recently purchased a bunch of Dr. J’s memorabilia, which will certainly be of interest to Philly fans. I’ve said before that Philly fans will show up for winners. That’s undeniably true. But for the team to be seen fondly, the team will be to become a better story than they were even last season. These recent acts of goodwill indicate that Harris, Aron, and the rest understand this.

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NBA Lockout Vigil: Day 146 - The Sixer Sense - The Sixer Sense - A Philadelphia 76ers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Credit: prohoopstalk.com

When thinking about the possibility of a lost NBA season, I cringe. I cringe because the millions of NBA fans out there will see no basketball played at the highest level in the world for at least a year. I cringe because the situation was so avoidable. I cringe because one side cares only about greed, the other about workers’ rights when the minimum salary is in the mid six figures and the work force is based largely on natural talent. I cringe because thousands of people will lose their jobs in a dispute between people who can afford to not work for a few years. I cringe because I used to take one side, only to realize that I don’t care anymore. But most of all, I cringe because, in time, I fear that I may lose my love for the NBA.

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NBA Lockout Vigil: Day 136 - The Sixer Sense - The Sixer Sense - A Philadelphia 76ers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More