Philadelphia 76ers fulfilling hopes from around the world
By Bret Stuter
The city of Philadelphia has laid claim to one of the most internationally rostered teams in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. But this is more than a gathering of players. The Philadelphia 76ers are fulfilling dreams from around the world
The Philadelphia 76ers are the United Nations of the NBA. The team has a Canadian, an Australian, a Croatian, a Frenchman, a Turk, a Cameroon, and a host of Americans. Differing cultures, different languages, but one common goal. Each players hopes to contribute to an NBA championship team. Each player is willing to share a part of his unique culture and skillset in exchange for a chance at greatness. And so far, it’s working.
How do you pull together a team of such varied backgrounds? Well despite the appearance of ease and simplicity, the matter is entirely complex.
It’s a small world after all…
Their backgrounds are varied. Their families dot the globe – top to bottom, this way and that way. There is little to tie each player together on paper. Or is there? On one hand, there is that best-in-the-league training facility in Camden, New Jersey. So in practical terms, it’s the best basketball training facility anywhere. On the symbolic front, it’s built to support a championship team. So the very infrastructure of the Philadelphia 76ers is about evolving into a winner. But that is more than just a painless stroll in the park. It’s about dedication, compromise. Every player on the team wants to be “that guy” who scores the winning basket in game seven. But each player must accept their integral role in getting this team to that moment.
The journey is just beginning. The journey for the city of Philadelphia to reclaim her rightful place among the royalty of the NBA