The Sixer Sense
Fansided

From Philadelphia 76ers to Eagles fans, rival New England disrespects you

By Bret Stuter

BOSTON - JANUARY 18: Boston Celtics' Marcus Morris, left, gets an elbow in the nose by teammate Daniel Theis in the first quarter as they were defending against 76ers' Joel Embiid. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 18, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - JANUARY 18: Boston Celtics' Marcus Morris, left, gets an elbow in the nose by teammate Daniel Theis in the first quarter as they were defending against 76ers' Joel Embiid. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 18, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – JANUARY 18: Boston Celtics’ Marcus Morris, left, gets an elbow in the nose by teammate Daniel Theis in the first quarter as they were defending against 76ers’ Joel Embiid. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 18, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON – JANUARY 18: Boston Celtics’ Marcus Morris, left, gets an elbow in the nose by teammate Daniel Theis in the first quarter as they were defending against 76ers’ Joel Embiid. The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in a regular season NBA basketball game at TD Garden in Boston on Jan. 18, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Eagles fans await a Super Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots. But this rivalry just extends the Philadelphia 76ers / Boston Celtics rivalry

Come gather round coffee cups, beers, wine or iced teas.  Philadelphia Eagles fans must now wait one more day to face their Super Bowl LII opponent, the New England Patriots.   And with this rematch from Super Bowl XXXIX is beginning to heat up relations between Patriots fans and Eagles fans.

But this really is nothing new folks. 76ers and Celtics fans have been hating on each other for decades. And since I am only to happy to share the history and lore of Philadelphia sports teams, pull up a chair and let me explain why Super Bowl LII has even more subplots to consider.

Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain

The true origins of this rivalry happened in the 1950s, between the then Syracuse Nationals and the Boston Celtics. The Nationals practically owned the Celtics, sending them home in the 1954-56 Playoffs. But in 1956, the Celtics drafted Bill Russell and K.C. Jones. Now, bolstered by the two fresh stars on their roster, they returned the favor and defeated the Nationals in 1957, 1958, and 1961.

In 1963, the Nationals moved to Philadelphia and took on the name the Philadelphia 76ers. All the while, the 76ers obtained Wilt “The Stilt” Chamberlain. It was the Chamberlain-led 76ers who defeated the Boston Celtics in the playoffs in 1967 and went on to defeat the San Francisco Warriors for the Championship. That 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers team set the NBA record at the time with a 68-13 record, and ended an eight season streak of NBA Championships for the Celtics.

Doctor vs. Bird

The Philadelphia 76ers traded Wilt Chamberlain and faded away until they found a new NBA star to build the team around. They got lucky when the team obtained the rights to Julius Erving for the 1977-1978 season. Affectionately known as “Dr. J”, Erving In Erving’s first season, he helped the 76ers send the Celtics home in the NBA Playoffs, one which required all seven games.

The 76ers and Celtics games during the Dr. J / Larry Bird days were always classics. It was during that time that 76ers point guard Andrew Toney earned the nickname “The Boston Strangler” from Boston media, due to his incredible performances against the Celtics. This was also the time when the 76ers picked up center Moses Malone, who would propel the 1983-1984 76ers to a convincing NBA Championship title. The Sixers would add Charles Barkley in the 1984, and it was he who tipped the ball to Julius Erving for one of the most incredible clutch shots in NBA history.

It was doubly sweet in that it helped defeat the Celtics.

Modern Rivalry

The Celtics and Sixers have been out of synch in more modern times. As the 76ers improved with Allen Iverson, the Celtics faded. When the Celtics improved with Kevin Garnett, the 76ers faded.  Now, the Celtics are rocking the entire NBA with the likes of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford, the Philadelphia 76ers are rapidly improving with All-Star center Joel Embiid and rookie star Ben Simmons.  The Celtics have a head start for now, but that gap is getting smaller as the season progresses.

So now it has moved to the NFL, where the Patriots, sullied with a stream of rule violations in the quest to “win at any cost” now face the Eagles, who have overcome insurmountable odds with a similar view towards winning. But as the fans, players, coaches and nation await this contest, let’s make this perfectly clear.

No respect for Philadelphia

There is no respect from the Patriots organization towards these Philadelphia Eagles.  Those sentiments are simply scripted words recited in front of a camera and microphone. If you want to see what the true thoughts of what Patriots fans think of anything Philadelphia, this is the image you need to study and remember:

Two of the NBA’s finest stars locked in mutual chokeholds. This is real folks.

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This is where the New England Patriots are right now, trying to choke the dreams of everyone associated with the Philadelphia Eagles organization. The only true way to fight back is to make Patriots quarterback Tom Brady choke in the biggest game of the season. It’s what Dr. J would do. It’s what the Philadelphia Eagles must do.

For Philadelphia!  #FlyEaglesFly !  It’s what the Doctor ordered.