Finals for Philly Fans

With all the attention the city of Philadelphia gets throughout the course of one year, nothing is more graciously welcomed then Philly's own 76ers winning the Eastern Conference, and making their first NBA Finals appearance in eighteen long years.

In my entire life, I cannot remember this city being so overwhelmed with jubilation. As you walk into the neighborhoods you see banners, old jerseys, posters, anything with a 76ers logo to don. As you drive around town, it's almost hard to get one full block without seeing a Sixers Conference Championship flag.

On Sunday night, when the Sixers won Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals, there were cheers heard almost in unison as the buzzer sounded. Well into the early morning, you could see groups of people at least twenty-deep in the streets, laced with their Sixers gear. As each motorist passed, they gave a honk of support.

Now here it is Wednesday, and before the tip-off of the biggest series in Philadelphia sports since 1983, Philadelphians everywhere are making those "Final" runs for the party favors, food, and refreshments. Some Philadelphia schools are having in-class parties as their finals are over. Area employers are allowing a Sixers dress down day, in which employees are allowed to show off their Sixers' best. Even Day Care Centers are getting involved, having young children suit up in Sixers jerseys and have a mini-parade around the neighborhood.

However, there are a few party poopers that live amongst the masses. "Haters to the fifth degree," says Brian Lewis of Yeadon, PA. "Philly hasn't worked this hard all year to lose to the Lakers. I promise you, we'll shock the world." Haven't the Sixers shocked enough people already? Even after nothing less than the trade of the year, many expert reporters labeled Philly as a group of overachievers who would be lucky to win the Eastern Conference Finals. So much for experts giving their expertise.

The Sixers are a blue-collar team, and Philadelphia is a blue-collar town. I used to think all they did was play ball, and if they won, they won. If they lost - oh well! They still got paid and they would come back next year and play again. But now I see they work just as hard if not harder then some of us do. That's why Philadelphians love their team. And every time the Sixers win a game, they profess a little more love for a city that loves them back ten-fold. I can only image what I'll see next year in February when Philadelphia host the NBA All-Star Game.

Tonight the Sixers embark on the most trying two weeks of their professional careers. Larry Brown and Allen Iverson squashed all beef between them, and this is their reward; a seven-game shot at the NBA Championship. The "haters" as Brian eloquently put it have one more question, and we have all heard it before. Can Iverson win the Sixers a title? As I secretly root for my home team, and as strongly as I feel about it, think I'll let "The Answer" speak for himself.

The NBA finals begin tonight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Sixers have serious work to put in if they are going to even win one game in the City of Angels. Mutumbo will undoubtedly need to borrow someone's wings to guard Shaquille O'Neal. However, Mutumbo isn't going to just defend and not try to score. Look for Mutumbo to attempt to get Shaq in foul trouble by attacking the well.

Aaron McKie, not Eric Snow, will most likely be Kobe Bryant's second shadow throughout this series. Last time these two teams meet, on Valentines' Day, Bryant was held to three shots attempts in the second half. You can expect that not to happen tonight. However, McKie is one of the most defensively sound guards on the Sixers' roster. I anticipate nothing less than a war at that Match-up.

Prediction: This is Game One of all out guerilla warfare. The Lakers are rusty. The Sixers are beat-up. So in that case the teams are dead even. I know Philadelphia wants to make a statement to start off, but I sense the Lakers feel that, and know they need to come out with extra energy. In the long run, I see a 10-day layoff coming back to haunt LA. Sixers by a few in a squeaker.

One Final Note: It is my understanding that Lakers' guard Tyronn Lue has been trying his hand at playing Allen Iverson this week, to simulate types of offensive plays Iverson and Philly will likely run. That's humorous. It's like throwing a rock at a bulletproof vest to simulate being shot. Too bad Philly isn't running any plays to account for Tyronn. What a team player!