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Hip Hop is Back!
By Kyle Pagan
Published:
He’ssssssssss Bacckkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! From the inbox:
As part of the Philadelphia 76ers’ celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ’01 Eastern Conference Championship team, no celebration would be complete without the return of one of the era’s most memorable mascots, Hip-Hop. Born in 1998, Hip-Hop captivated 76ers fans for over a decade with his flips, tricks, and style that made the 2001 run as unforgettable as the play on the floor.
This season, Hip-Hop returns, alongside his friend Franklin, for a season of tributes to the ’01 team. Hip-Hop will be back on center court with his signature swagger, charismatic and entertaining style that fans loved from that era. Specific game dates and activations with Hip-Hop will be announced throughout the season. The 76ers will pay tribute to Hip-Hop at the Saturday, November 8th game vs. Toronto Raptors. This will also be the first game of the 25th Anniversary Hardwood Classic Celebration, presented by Crypto.com.
Need this on a shirt:
The Sixers are on a heater right now! They’re bringing back the black Iverson jerseys, Joel Embiid is playing without a knee brace, and now the greatest mascot in Sixers history is making his return. This has to be worth at least 10 more wins this year right? Sixers might sneak into a play-in game with all this good juju on their side. They’re even bringing back the original Hip Hop, according to Alex Coffey at the Inquirer:
(Bill) Roth had played the Sixers’ mascot, Hip Hop, from 1998 to 2011. They were about to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 2001 team that lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
Would Roth consider putting the rabbit costume back on?
“I don’t think I said anything,” he said on Monday night. “I think I just sat there, in front of them. I was just trying to process things.”
Roth said yes, thereby opening a chapter of his life that he once thought was closed. According to the team, Hip Hop will make an appearance during the Sixers’ Nov. 8 home game against the Toronto Raptors.
He’ll be present at other tributes, alongside the Sixers’ primary mascot, Franklin the Dog, for various celebrations around the 2000-01 team.
The former Temple gymnast was 27 when he made his mascot debut. He is 55 now. He isn’t sure if he’ll be able to pull off the same moves — but Roth isn’t ruling anything out yet.
The Sixers trotting out a guy over the hill with knee issues? Some things never change. Heyyyyyyooooo!
I can’t wait to introduce an entire new generation to a gigantic durag-wearing dunking bunny who may or may not be on roids. The late 90s were a wild time. Between Space Jam and Hip Hop. basketball-playing bunnies were at their peak. You went to the FU Center and you knew you were getting a show. Since then we’ve been promised a Moose and ended up getting a New York Knicks-loving dog instead. The Sixers don’t even have the most popular mascot in the building anymore. That’ll change on November 8th. I can’t wait for that first pop. It’ll be like when the glass used to break and Stone Cold would come out and open up a can of whoop ass. It’ll be must-see TV. Now what can we do about these souvenir cups?
P.S. Flyers are 1-0 since Hip Hop returned. Do with that information what you wish.
Kyle writes blog posts and does Man on the Street-style videos all around Philadelphia. He graduated from Temple University (a basketball school) in 2015. contact: k.pagan@sportradar.com