The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers stand in way of Boston Celtics dominance

By Bret Stuter

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 18, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 18: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 18, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 12: Joel Embiid
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 12: Joel Embiid /

NBA Renaissance

Many modern basketball fans do not realize just how heated the Boston Celtics Philadelphia 76ers rivalry was in the history of the NBA. Their rivalry is unlike the exchange between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, or the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

You see, the rivalry of the Celtics and 76ers grew from knowing these teams would meet each year in the playoffs. Legendary shooting guard Andrew Toney earned his nickname “The Boston Strangler” from his ability to single-handedly dominate the Celtics in post season play.

To every warrior, a competitor will rise

Now, with the rise of the Boston Celtics to new heights, many are pointing and declaring the future of the NBA “the era of the Boston Celtics”. Not so fast my friend. The NBA is much like “The Force” of the Star Wars genre. This NBA balances out.  And now that the Boston Celtics have risen so quickly, a challenger must now rise to restore the balance. That team will be the Philadelphia 76ers. And despite the headstart, the 76ers will quickly catch up.

Next: Nobody knows what’s going on with Markelle Fultz

The Philadelphia 76ers stand in the way of the Boston Celtics. Perhaps not this year. Perhaps not even next season. But the Philadelphia 76ers have their own aspirations for the NBA Championship. And while the Celtics may have gotten a jump towards that goal, nothing is decided just yet.  After all, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons have combined for just 128 NBA games. Let’s hold off on anointing anyone until we see just how good these 76ers become, shall we?