Another 76ers Season in the Books
I’ve casually followed the 76ers for a long time, but it wasn’t until about 5-6 years ago that I really started my deep dive into moving beyond a casual observer to a superfan. Since COVID, I’ve probably watched 80-90% of their games and do everything I can to avoid recaps or spoilers for games that I don’t happen to catch live (looking at you, west coast road trips with 10pm Eastern start times!), then watch it the next day courtesy of the DVR. Side note, NBA games are pretty quick when you can fast forward through all the commercial breaks! It’s fun to watch in the comfort of your own home, but being part of the crowd takes things to a whole other level. I’ve gone to at least a game or two at the Wells Fargo Center each of the last several years, and it’s always been a great experience, win or lose.
I was very excited for this season with a new head coach in Nick Nurse, getting the James Harden drama behind us, and a host of new players gave me an optimistic outlook. Was this the year it was all going to come together, and they could make a run to the NBA Finals? Spoiler alert…it was not!
Unfortunately, as most seasons go, things didn’t end how any Philly fans would have liked. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Joel Embiid is one of the best players in the league; it’s a shame he can’t find a way to stay healthy throughout the season and particularly the playoffs. He started the season on an absolute tear. I figured there would be some sort of letdown from his MVP season last year, but he was somehow operating at an even higher level and averaging a ridiculous ~35 points a game until injuries knocked him out for months…again. Luckily, he was able to return and play about 5 games before the regular season ended, but he was maybe at 70% of his normal self after dealing with a torn meniscus.
There were many bright spots, but possibly the brightest of them all was their rising star, Tyrese Maxey. He’s been fun to watch the last 2 years, and observing as many games as I do, his progression coming into this season was obvious, but the question remained, would he step up as the clear #2 on this team behind Joel? Well, he answered that with a resounding YES and was named to the All-Star team this year and was just named the Most Improved Player of the league. It’s nice to feel like the Sixers finally hit the jackpot on one of their draft picks after YEARS of their top picks not working out for one reason or another.
Unlike many rabid fans, I don’t live or die whether they win or lose. Some fans’ days/nights end up ruined if their favorite team doesn’t win (countless videos on social media show guys destroying their TVs after a heartbreaking loss!). I end up disappointed, but I’m a realist. Whether the Sixers win or lose does not materially change my life. At the end of the day, it’s entertainment and they’ve given me MANY hours of joy, excitement, and yes, even disappointment – that’s all part of the package!
In my mind, to survive as a fan, you have to have a short-term memory and think “this game, this series, this season, didn’t go our way but there’s always the next one!” And the reality of it is, your team will rarely win a championship, so it’s important to appreciate the positives and let go of the negatives. I try to apply that mindset for myself, especially when it comes to drag racing. I was fortunate enough to find myself in the finals of our end-of-year regional race back in 2020 and came up just a bit short of victory. In the moment, losing stinks, but in any competition, there will be a winner and loser, and I find that you learn way more from the losses than you do from the wins.
In the end, while the season may not have culminated in the championship we hoped for, it's been a fun rollercoaster ride, nonetheless. So, here's to the Philadelphia 76ers, and to the promise of next season filled with endless possibilities. Until next time, trust the process, and as always, go Sixers! It’s now Phillies season, let’s go Phils!
Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Haas Financial Group are separate entities. This is not intended to be used as tax or legal advice. Please consult a tax or legal professional for specific information and advice.
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