The Philadelphia 76ers players endured ridicule and losing games for years. Contrary to a “losing culture” perspective, this team forged players from around the world into one of the most formidable teams in the NBA today
There you are Philadelphia 76ers and fans. Take a bow. After all the anti-Sixers claims for years, those same Sixers are the first NBA Eastern Conference team to advance to round two. And so, ending a 52-30 season, the Philadelphia 76ers are in the NBA spotlight and deserve to be there. Concluding a decisive 4-1 series against a tough playoff-seasoned Miami Heat, the players, the coaches, and the fans enjoy post-season success. On one hand, never has such a difficult journey incorporated such a fundamental change. On the other hand, the NBA has never witnessed a franchise undertaking a complete top to bottom to top rebuild. And finally, no NBA team has ever subjected themselves to such ire, vitriol, and rejection by their own peers.
Yet there you are. Ahead of schedule and heading to round two.
Tired trolling cliche’s
For years, those who scoffed at the Philadelphia 76ers cited some tired cliches. After all, it was not just once. And not even twice. In fact, it was over four years where trolls aimed their worst thoughtless comments in social media at Philly. I’m certain you’d heard these before.
“Tanking has no place in the NBA”.
“Good? They haven’t even proven they can stay healthy?!?”
“Losing breeds a culture of losing that will never change.”
A team that wins just 10 games while losing 72 games makes few friends or advocates in this league. And there are plenty of moments throughout the past four years where is was clear to everyone that is was a small group of fans, players and team staff seemingly against the entire NBA. Few friends then, but each fan and player remembers that feeling.