The Philadelphia 76ers are on the one-yard line.
Seven years later and the effects still reverberate around the Pacific Northwest. The thoughts of what should have happened, the reality of its current state of affairs. Ask any fan of the west coast birds of prey and they will tell you the story like it happened yesterday. The irony that we are approaching the anniversary of that fateful night.
“All we had to do, was run the ball. Nothing complicated. Do what got us there,” said a friend of mines who is a lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan. The frustration making more sense after another blunder in this year’s playoffs at home against the Los Angeles Rams.
“But no, Carroll had to throw the darn ball. Cost us back-to-back titles, and things haven’t been the same since.”
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The thought shook me to the core. But why? I watched the game that night. I thoroughly rooted for the Seahawks. I saw what transpired and was angered, but being an Eagles fan, the pain was relatable. We’ve been through it. Up until 2017-18 when we finally saw what no Eagles generation before it has seen: A Super Bowl celebration.
But the statement he made had me in thought for a while. So, I recollected times in sports history when teams were at the cusp of finally reaching the pinnacle, only to be knocked down the hill. It’s pretty lengthy so I won’t take a deep dive here. But there’s a list. Sports nerds, search at your own peril.
We all know the story: Seattle, down by four to Brady, Belichick, and the New England Patriots, sat at the one-yard line on second down. Marshawn Lynch just plowed for four yards on first down to get them there. Rushing for 161 yards on the night, the logical choice is to run the ball, right? Seattle had the league’s top rushing attack that year. It’s the reason that they sat, seemingly ready to walk off with a second straight Super Bowl victory, toppling the Empire, and establishing themselves as the NFL’s newest dynasty.
We all know what happened next.
Subsequently, Seattle hasn’t been the same since. The Legion of Boom are all moved on, Russell Wilson is a top five quarterback, but Seattle has now flamed out in the playoffs in the wildcard round for three of the last four years.
“Things haven’t been the same since…”
What does this have to do with basketball? I’m glad that you asked. Sometimes you have to recognize when a window is open and not waste time in jumping thru it. Basketball windows are slightly open longer than in football. It’s the reason why basketball dynasties last longer. The Celtics of the 60s and 70s won eight straight titles, from ’69 to ’77. The Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, owned the 90s. Golden State dominated the latter part of the 2010s. Today, the road to NBA glory goes through LeBron James who has ten appearances in the Finals.
The NFL has had no repeat champion since 2003 and 2004. Nearly two decades.
So, the window can be maximized for longer periods when the right pieces come together in basketball.
Sixers nation, I believe that the window for the Philadelphia 76ers is open. Wide open. Whether they can become a perennial champion for years to come, no one knows. But the window isn’t shut. As the Sixers sit in the top spot in the Eastern Conference, this is the chance that fans have been waiting for. Now, what shall become of it?
Learn from Seattle: don’t get cute and try to finesse your way; bulldoze through it!
In context concerning the Sixers, don’t think that what is seen on this roster is enough. Get more firepower. Take advantage of the leverage of being the East’s top team. Players will want to be a part of a potential championship squad.
I’ll just say it: Please trade for Bradley Beal. He’s perfect for this group and compliments Embiid with his three-level scoring ability. Not to mention that he is the NBA’s leading scorer. It’s right there for the taking!
To miss on potentially adding the piece to complete the championship puzzle, would be the Sixers version of throwing on the one-yard line. The ramifications could be felt for years to come when we hearken back on this season.
Seattle didn’t learn, and they are still dealing with the aftershocks of missing the moment.
Philadelphia 76ers, don’t miss your moment. It’s here. We see it. Run the ball.
Don’t overthink it.
Don’t finesse it.