It’s A Great Time In Philadelphia Sports
Yesterday we reveled in the Eagles victory and a 3-0 start to the season which was cool! The Phillies are in the final weeks of a season that look like it’s headed towards the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The Union are tied for the lead of all of MLS in a points total and are the top team in the East. And yesterday in Camden, the Sixers held their media day which always falls on the day before training camp starts. The Sixers are headed to Charleston South Carolina to get camp underway. Seeing the guys and staff back in the practice facilities yesterday really ramped up my excitement for the Sixers season ahead so let’s start with them. On DraftKings, the Sixers are currently the 4th team in the East in terms of odds to win the NBA Title.
It’s an entirely new roster in place this year in the support roles of the team. The 4 stars remain relatively the same with Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey. But this time a year ago in Sixers camp, James Harden wasn’t even there. As a matter of fact, I believe today is the one year anniversary of Ben Simmons getting ejected from Sixers training camp. So let’s take a moment to appreciate how different the vibes are this year. Last year you had an emotional anchor on the team dragging it down. This year, you have a “skinny James” Harden who seems really determined to hoist a Larry O’Brien trophydan. Now you have an enhanced support staff around with a bunch of new faces. De’Anthony Melton, Danuel House, PJ Tucker, Montrez Harrell all join this team. Tucker will likely be in the starting five with Melton filling the teams sixth man role. Then you have returners Shake Milton likely taking on a backup PG type of role, Georges Niang as a depth piece shooting specialist, Matisse Thybulle as a wing defensive specialist and youth pieces like Charles Bassey and Paul Reed and Charlie Brown and Furkan Korkmaz all looking for some occasional minutes as well. It’s going to be an exciting season and the Sixers no doubt should be one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference.
The Phillies, they might be the team with the most fans on edge. But this team SHOULD be headed towards the post-season for the first time in a decade (they will be). I for one will admit some cowardice here. I’m just happy to see postseason baseball returning to Philadelphia regardless of the outcome. This is a franchise that’s only made the playoffs 14 times in its history. I know it sounds like a losers attitude to just be happy they’re back, I admit this but I also don’t care. Whatever it takes to get the bunting flags back. I miss the “MLB Playoffs” painted on field logos. I miss the postseason hoodies. I miss all of it. My name is Jamie Lynch and I’m a coward and I’m just happy with postseason baseball (for now…). And who knows, maybe Wheeler and Nola are locked in and if that’s the case, any 3 game series is on the table.
The Eagles are 3-0. Let’s be serious, the food tastes better, the coffee is the best coffee in the world and everything is just better with an undefeated football team. All phases of the team are playing good football. Even the position groups which they’ve historically suffered with are thriving (WR/CB/LB). Jalen Hurts is taking amazing strides in his play. Frankly, being an Eagles fan is just great right now.
And the Union, well they’re doop’ing a lot down there. They’ve got the best goal keeper in the league, some of the best defenders and some great pieces on offense where they’re putting up some serious offensive firepower. They’ve got a great shot to bring some hardware home to Chester this year.
The Flyers, welp, they exist!
All and all it’s a great time in Philadelphia sports right now. Enjoy it! Because as we all know, it’s not always great or sunny in Philadelphia.
