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The Sixers’ Season Opener Comes at the Perfect Time
By Nick Piccone
Published:
I’m not sure LeBron James could write a better script for his Sixers debut tonight. The Eagles are already immersed in a lost season after six games. The Phillies had another swift playoff exit before the league most likely enters an owner’s lockout for however long, and the Flyers have won their last two games, but only before losing nine in a row to start.
Can’t forget about the Union being the hottest team in the city, but if that’s all LeBron has to compete with right now, he’ll take it.
The city’s sports hopes find their way once again to the Sixers, who have completely revamped their image since they were swept out of the NBA Playoffs by the eventual champion New York Knicks on May 10th. We thought Daryl Morey would stay put as the Sixers’ president of basketball operations because ownership could not have cared less. We were pleasantly surprised when he was let go, but wondered who exactly they would replace him with, and lamented how long it would take for the Sixers to become a serious contender in the East again.
Well, it took less than three months. The Sixers hired Mike Gansey to replace Morey, and his first act as Sixers president of basketball operations was to jinx a Jesús Luzardo no-hitter while in attendance at a Phillies game. [Note: in that post, I sarcastically added the line, “Perhaps the Sixers’ curse has now been broken?” to the end, but, uh, he then traded for Jaylen Brown, and signed LeBron James. So maybe?]
The last time the Sixers really had the city’s undivided attention was in 2023 when they had a 3-2 series lead in the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Then, we saw Joel Embiid and James Harden completely quit on their home court in Game 6 to the Celtics en route to an embarrassing Game 7 loss. The Phillies were struggling early in the season and the Flyers were the Flyers. It’s taken three years for the juice to really return.
What better way to open the season than against a division rival and reigning NBA Champion in the Knicks, too? Do you think this team wants to waltz into Madison Square Garden and not put a damper on the Knicks’ banner celebration? Even if they lose, it’s the start of a season to remember. LeBron is a Sixer. So is Jaylen Brown. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are also Sixers. Oh, and Joel Embiid is, too. They could not have asked for a better situation to become Philly’s Team. There will be immense pressure, but LeBron’s presence along with Brown should alleviate some of that pressure on the younger guys. Maybe it’s better to face that pressure in October.
Nick Piccone has covered Philly sports and events for over 15 years with various outlets, including PhillyVoice.com and PhillyInfluencer.com. In 2015, he co-launched the Straight Shooters Podcast, focused on covering the professional wrestling industry. He was a producer at Fox Sports Radio Philadelphia and currently produces broadcast and social media content for the Villanova Sports Radio Network. He grew up in South Philadelphia and South Jersey, and is a graduate of Neumann University. Contact: picconenick@gmail.com