Thursday, August 16, 2012

Rise and Shine --- Really? The 76ers?

Good Morning to all you insomniacs!
Was that really a couple thousand people cheering for the 76ers yesterday?

Really? People came out to the Constitution Center on a Thursday in the summer to get a look at new center Andrew Bynum?

Wait, aren't the Eagles getting ready for the season? Aren't the Phillies showing signs of life? Cheering for the 76ers in August? Why, I never...

The 76ers have always seemed like fourth-class citizens in the sports community. The Eagles ruled until the Phillies won, now they trade Nos. 1 and 2 depending on the time of year. The Flyers have always had a loyal following.

The 76ers, though, even in the glory years, seemed to pushed to the side.

Truth be told, my group of friends were always bigger 76ers fans. We went to games and listened to the 76ers on the radio (not every game was televised back then). We sat in the school cafeteria debating the merits of keeping Darryl Dawkins, then we cheered the signing of Moses Malone. We laughed at the drafting of Hersey Hawkins. We felt betrayed when Doug Moe made it look like coaching the team was taking too much time away from the beach.

Even the last few years, I've been able to get down to a couple of 76ers games (pro sports has totally outpriced the family, but that's for another time).

So, it was cool to see cheering for the 76ers in the middle of the summer.

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