The Sixer Sense
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Will Philadelphia 76ers be first Philly team returning to playoffs?

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 09: A view on the scoreboard of the 2016 National Basketball Champions Villanova Wild Cats during a NHL game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 9, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 09: A view on the scoreboard of the 2016 National Basketball Champions Villanova Wild Cats during a NHL game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 9, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 09: A view on the scoreboard of the 2016 National Basketball Champions Villanova Wild Cats during a NHL game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 9, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 09: A view on the scoreboard of the 2016 National Basketball Champions Villanova Wild Cats during a NHL game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 9, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

After years of drought, the Philadelphia 76ers hope for the playoffs. But, will they be the first Philly team back in post-season?

The following list has something in common. Can you guess what it is?
2013
2011
2016
2012

Those were the years of the last post season appearance of each Philadelphia sports team. So which year pairs up with which team?  Well, I’m glad you asked.

2013 – Philadelphia Eagles
2011 – Philadelphia Phillies
2016 – Philadelphia Flyers
2012 – Philadelphia 76ers

So if you hear that Philadelphia is in some sort of decade-long drought, you can shoot down that troll with a silver bullet fact. Each Philadelphia team has seen post-season this decade.  But the compounding effect of all four major sports in a simultaneous drought has weighed down the optimism of this fair city. Which now begs the ultimate question: “Which professional sports team will be the first team back in post-season play?”

No rivalry, more friendly competition

Now, this is not a “my dog is bigger than your dog” heated debate or rivalry. In fact, check out this tweet from the Philadelphia Eagles:

The tide rises for all sports teams in the city.  But which team will serve as the icebreaker for the other teams?  The Eagles? The Flyers? The Phillies? The Sixers?  Let’s examine each sport carefully.