Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love, but unfortunately for a lot of NBA players, they haven’t felt all that much love in Philly over the years. Ben Simmons is perhaps the best possible example here, as the fanbase completely turned on him towards the end of his time there.
Fanbases that tend to be very loyal and passionate about the team do tend to love and hate in equal quantities, but there is perhaps no fanbase that takes it to either extreme as much as the Sixers one. JJ Redick, who was on broadcast duty for the Summer League, spent two years of his career in Philadelphia, and he spoke about it being the greatest sports town in America despite all its drawbacks.
“They boo you, the sports radio talk shows are delusional, but despite all that Philly is the greatest sports town in America” – @jj_redick https://t.co/2cFjLknkt6
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) July 13, 2022
“You know I always think to myself if I had won a championship, if our group had done that together, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy (Butler), Tobias (Harris). We had accomplished that, we would never pay for a meal in Philly after a championship. We’d be goated in Philly, be a good feeling.”
When his co-commentator stated that it is one of the greatest sports towns in America, Redick added, “It is the greatest sports town in America. Despite the fact that they boo you, the sports radio talk shows are delusional, despite all of that, it is the greatest sports town in America.”
Redick clearly enjoyed his time there, and he is right when he says that if they had managed to go all the way and win that title, then they would have been the toast of the town for the rest of their lives.
His chance has passed him by, but Embiid and Harris can still win a championship for the city. They are also getting James Harden back on a discount deal to help them with that, but of course, if they fail to do it, then they will incur the wrath of the city. It just comes with the territory.
