The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Will Vacate NBA Basement This Season

By Bret Stuter

Mar 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown argues a call with referee Lauren Holtkamp (7) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 95-89. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown argues a call with referee Lauren Holtkamp (7) during the fourth quarter of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 95-89. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 7
Next
Apr 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) shoots in warm ups before the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) shoots in warm ups before the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports /

Henderson Brings Philly Passion

Players in any professional sport must find a source of constant motivation.  But some professional athletes manage to tap into the fans to inspire them.  In Philadelphia, we know them well: Allen Iverson, Brian Dawkins, Bobby Clarke, and Chase Utley to name a few.

Can Gerald Henderson join them?

Success in Philly begins by understanding that passion that is bottled up in the stands.  Henderson already gets that.

"“No other teams could offer the feelings I have towards the organization.The Philadelphia fans, I played in front of them growing up and been one my whole life, especially being in high school and watching AI [Allen Iverson] grow up.That’s like my childhood. I think I got an Instagram post of AI playing against Kobe [Bryant]. I’m like, this is my childhood in a snapshot, really.” – Gerald Henderson discussing playing for the 76ers"

Henderson is crucial to this 76ers team this season. He will play with rookies Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, two potential NBA greats. But to find that greatness, to lead this city’s basketball team to long-term success, he needs to help both to use the support of the fans.

But it will take more than passion to win in the NBA. Ben Simmons brings the next missing element – leading by example.

Next: Raising Expectations