The Sixer Sense
Fansided

What’s Gotten Into The Philadelphia 76ers?

By Bret Stuter

Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) reacts with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Nik Stauskas (11) and forward Dario Saric (9) after hitting the game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) reacts with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and guard Nik Stauskas (11) and forward Dario Saric (9) after hitting the game winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks to Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks to Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) during the first quarter of the preseason game against the Detroit Pistons at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Sage Wisdom

Joel Embiid is a rookie, but plays the role of a ten-year veteran. He knows the buttons to push with his teammates and with the fans.  He understands the fight in the stands around him, and in the hearts of each of his teammates.

The fight has always been there. He just harnessed it. He gave the team and fans something to fight for – a playoff position – and something to fight – the NBA.  After years of taunting, trolling, decrying and berating, the fans and players of the Philadelphia 76ers have been burning to fight back.

And now they are.

This is not some flame out.  This is not a flash of a dying light bulb. This is a controlled burn of the rage in the hearts of each player who suffered through losses, who had a team give up on them, who have been lazily grouped into an unflattering pool of “never be” basketball hopefuls.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers vs NBA Youth Movement

In the end, nothing has gotten into the Philadelphia 76ers at all.  It’s been there all this time. Joel Embiid simply showed the fans and players how powerful they can be when the all work towards the same goal.