With the Philadelphia 76ers enjoying their best start since their NBA finals run in 2001, Sixers fans finally have optimism about their future.
Currently first in the Atlantic Division over the second-place Boston Celtics, the Sixers .700 winning percentage makes them the surprise breakout team coming out of the lockout. This change in play can be attributed to solid coaching and team chemistry that is rarely witnessed in the star driven league.
“I like their coaching, fast paced offense, and defense,” says Bucks student Mark Kelly, 19, business major from Bensalem.
Centered on team chemistry, the current Sixers squad seems to embody what most fans like to see in their Philadelphia teams.
Rumors have circulated recently that the Sixers have inquired about New York Knicks power forward Arame Stoudemire. A trade of this magnitude could upset the financial status of the team’s salary cap and disrupt the chemistry of the team.
Bucks student Colin Rooney, 20, communications major from Morrisville, feels that bringing a player of Stoudemire’s stature will only help in ruining the chemistry that this young Sixers team has begun to build. Rooney likes the abundance of supporting players and the fact that there are no prima donnas dominating the team.
Although fans seem optimistic, many have attributed the team’s recent success to their early season schedule. Among their wins, only three have come against teams with a winning record.
“Their success depends on their schedule,” says Mark Nicholson, 20, a health and physical education major from Morrisville. “Unless they play the Miami Heat the Sixers can advance in the playoffs.”
Their biggest test will come with a string of games against six straight legitimate title contenders, with five of six at home. The Sixers will go up against the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Clippers in succession.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing them lose to the Lakers, but they need to beat the Clippers,” says Mark Kelly, a Sixers fan who is showing his full support for the first time since the Allen Iverson era.
Even fans from their divisional opponents are giving the Sixers their just due. As a Knicks fan, Bucks student Antonio Almeida, 19, criminal justice major from Warrington, believes the Sixers can keep up their current pace. He credits the team’s success to their large array of accurate shooters, something many Sixers teams lacked in the past.
Those who do support the team finally see a reason to spend their hard-earned dollars on an enthusiastic Sixers club.
Growing up in a passionate Sixers family, Jen Leachko, 21, a nursing major from Langhorne, has become accustomed to her father and brother scrutinizing Sixers games over the years. As former season ticket holders, the cheap prices and competitive team have given Leachko and her family a reason to attend games again.
“There’s no reason to spend money if they are an average team,” she says. “If I’m going to spend money I don’t want to go if they are going to get creamed. I would want to see a competitive game.”
Nicholson agreed, stating that he would plan on attending a Sixers game in the near future.
Even the NBA lockout that cleared 16 games from the schedule has yet to deter fans.
“Every sport has one,” says Kelly. Compared to the NFL’s 127-day layoff, the NBA lockout was short enough not to dishearten fans like Kelly.
As with any Philadelphia fan that has witnessed one of their teams spirited runs end in heartache, Leachko’s father, John Leachko from Langhorne, summed it up best.
“Well, the Sixers have had the easiest game schedule so far, which changes next week. So we’ll see if their winning continues once the schedule gets worse.”
If the Sixers want to be considered among the league’s elite, then this next stretch of games will really answer some questions.