The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Sixers fanbase ranked as 3rd best in NBA, 61st in the world

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers high fives fans after the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 2, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers high fives fans after the game against the Detroit Pistons on December 2, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Philadelphia 76ers fans trusted The Process, and people are starting to take notice.

This season has made one thing abundantly clear: the Philadelphia 76ers have some of the best fans in basketball. From record-breaking season ticket sales to numerous full-capacity home games, those who chanted #TTP for years are finally being rewarded with an entertaining product on the floor.

I’m not sure if any city would (or could) embrace a rebuild like Philly did. You see, Sam Hinkie gutted a playoff contender in favor of building a title contender, something everybody — including Hinkie — knew would take several years. On the other hand, some suggest the team lost on purpose, and in the process (pun intended) accumulated some serious assets.

Now we’re five years into that Process. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons look like All-Stars, Markelle Fultz is waiting in the wings, and both J.J. Redick and Robert Covington have (despite some recent struggles) been among the league’s best shooters.

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Oh, and the Sixers have the third best fanbase in the NBA according to FanSided’s second annual Fandom 250.

That means only two teams (the Lakers at No. 2 and the Warriors at No. 1) ranked ahead of the Sixers in NBA basketball, an impressive ranking for a fanbase that has suffered through so much losing in recent years. They’re also the 61st best fanbase overall, beating out a plethora of celebrities, sports teams and entertainment groups to get there.

I’m sure plenty of Sixers v.s. Lakers or Warriors arguments will pursue (as they should), but this is a good moment to step back and realize just how far this ‘Trust The Process’ movement has come. Just a few years ago, everyone in the national media thought the Sixers were borderline insane and breaking the system.

Now, they’re appreciating two of the league’s best young stars in a city that seems more than ready to rally behind a potential playoff contender. Sam Hinkie didn’t need to survive his rebuild for it to be successful. Bryan Colangelo hasn’t messed anything up yet, and the Sixers are sitting in a good position because of it.

Next: Would you trade Markelle Fultz for C.J. McCollum?

Take a bow, Sixers fans. You guys rock.