The Sixers Playoff Push Begins Tonight and I’ve Never Been More All In

In February as a freshman in college (four years ago), I went to see the Sixers play at Wells Fargo against the Bulls. It was awful. The Sixers actually put up a solid fight because the Bulls were in that stage where Rose was injured so they lacked any semblance of firepower and rode their starters into the ground for 40+ minutes a night. But, it was awful. Michael-Carter Williams wouldn’t stand with the rest of the team for the anthem, I’m not sure either team even hit 90 points and I don’t even remember who the starters were aside from Joakim Noah. Point being, back then, it was really hard to care and no matter how much we loved the Sixers, paint drying was more enthusing. Fast forward four years and the Sixers are about to start their post All-Star break playoff run (against the Bulls), just two games out of the 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and I can’t wait to get my fix.

The Eagles winning the Super Bowl was basically a gateway drug to a more strung out  Philadelphia sports addiction that includes the Flyers and Sixers. Not only are both teams on fire right now, we as fans are bringing Super Bowl level energy to the Wells Fargo Center on a nightly basis. I know nothing about hockey but I’m all in on the Flyers too. As for the Sixers, starting the stretch run of the season on a five game win streak against a weak schedule just screams home playoff games in May.

When it’s all said and done, and we topple Boston in a seven game series, we are going to look back on that Heat game right before the All-Star break and describe it as the turning point of our season. Much like Jake Elliot’s 61 yard field goal, the most improbable win can catapult this team on a trajectory to success there’s no coming back from. Down 24 in the second half without Embiid, they save the win streak heading into the prolonged break between action. The Sixers spent most of the first half of the season on the opposite side of the coin, blowing the lead. Coming back the way they did given the circumstances was Example A of how the tides have turned and the mentality has changed in Philadelphia. Everything is coming up Philly.

I first fell in love with the Sixers when I was seven. It was Allen Iverson’s MVP season and what drew me to the team is that AI made that squad must-see television every night. My love for the team has flickered since then as none of the teams really drew any energy, life, or hope. Until now. With Embiid, Simmons and the rest of this young crew it was easy to fall in love with watching the Sixers again and I’ll be glued to the TV every single time they play from here until spring. The playoff run starts with the Bulls tonight, a match-up I couldn’t wait to stop watching just four years ago. The Process, has come full circle.

By Aidan Powers | February 22, 2018