Vindication! Philadelphia 76ers first debut pair NBA consecutive 1sts
By Bret Stuter
Philadelphia 76ers fans are starting to realize. NBA fans are slower to the draw. Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons marks the first time in NBA History that two consecutive top draft choices debut simultaneously
Vindication means “proof that someone or something is right, reasonable, or justified.”. That is the word describing the fans of the Philadelphia 76ers right now. Vindication. For the first time in NBA history, two consecutive top draft choices will debut simultaneously in an NBA season (barring injury of course). While the same trolls toss “fragility” and “haven’t won anything yet” at the delighted fans, it’s now all for naught.
The Philadelphia 76ers will cheer as Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz, both the best of their respective NBA Draft classes, begin their NBA careers together. While other express overblown concerns about the Philadelphia 76ers remaining healthy, and others point to a team that won just 28 games, it’s matters not.
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Two top number one players mean hype
On one hand, the top player in any one season creates a wave of optimism in any fanbase. On the other hand, two top players debuting together creates a tsunami of optimism and hope. In conclusion, don’t fight it. As a matter of fact, It is the right of every Philadelphia 76ers fan.
Whether a fan witnessed the win loss record of the past four season in abject horror, or quietly nodded and silently approved knowing it was for the greater good, the fans endured seasons without much hope for four years.
NBA Draft bestows hope
Give them their due. The NBA Draft bestows the courtesy of hope and optimism to the fans who cheered for losing teams. And for four years, the Philadelphia 76ers seemed to slip in the lottery, always looking up at the Los Angeles Lakers who owed the 76ers a first round pick.
In the end, that Lakers pick loses all protection. After three of four years of the Lakers leapfrogging the 76ers, the Sixers returned the favor this year. The Philadelphia 76ers jumped from three to one, to land that top pick of the draft, and the perfect fit for the team, Markelle Fultz.
Take your medicine, trolls
The fans of the Philadelphia 76ers did not start this. But they recorded the snarky comments, the mean spirited comments, and the unabashed provocations to be replayed at #RTArmageddon.
And now, everyone who chimed in with ridiculously vile vitriol laced social media statements were called to the carpet.
The claims were senseless and baseless. Beyond the need to create a laugh, this was the effort of the unwise to school the wise.
Now the results of the provocateurs are themselves laughable.
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Dont urge fans to wait for victories
Some are now urging the Philadelphia 76ers fans to be less optimistic and wait for the results of the team before feeling optimism. But that same “wait to see how it turns out logic” was never applied previously. When the Philadelphia 76ers draft picks resulted in players rehabbing or playing internationally, few applied the “let’s see them play in the NBA” rule.
As such, don’t expect that now.
More than winning
This is not just about winning games. With or without the top pick of the 2017 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are a playoff capable team. This is about the virtue of patience. It was never a deliberate effort to lose. This was always about waiting to win.
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Now the foundation to do so will be in place. Never in the history of the NBA has a team had so much talent debut in one season. Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons marks the first time in NBA History that two consecutive top draft choices begin their rookie seasons simultaneously.
Whether you trust the process or not, fans on both sides of the streets can pause and enjoy this feeling. This is vindication. And good times are just getting started.