Don’t Expect A Home Court Advantage For The Brooklyn Nets

The Philadelphia 76ers are holding a 2-0 series lead over their 1^st round playoff opponents, the Brooklyn Nets after relatively easily handling the opening 2 games of the set. Now, though, the series shifts to Brooklyn, as two road games await Joel Embiid and the Embiidettes as they eye a 1^st round sweep. In a series set up to be 2 home games, 2 road games, and then alternating home and road games if necessary, the thought process is to even the playing field as much as possible when it comes to where the games are being played. Pretty simple concept, right? Well, that all goes out the window in a situation such as this, where proximity, skill level, and general fandom ALL are not typical of your average NBA Playoff series. Allow me to explain.

The Brooklyn Nets do NOT have a home court advantage. There are multiple reasons for that, but the fact of the matter is that the series shifting up to Brooklyn should not make a huge impact on the gameplay for either side. First of all, the Nets are a shell of the team that started the season in Brooklyn, and even with the big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden at their peak, they still played 2^nd fiddle in their city to the non-contender New York Knicks. If Brooklyn couldn’t draw basketball fans then, why in the world would they draw them now, with Mikal Bridges as the only player worth the price of admission? Point, Sixers. Speaking of the Sixers, you may know this fun fact about them already, but they play in Philadelphia. Philly is less than 80 miles from the Barclay’s Center, and a short drive or train ride commute. As fans who DO have something to root for, I would expect the Sixers to be well represented in the stands, maybe even more so than the Nets. Another point, Sixers.

Oh, you need more to convince you? Ok, let’s continue. On top of all of this, the Nets flat out are not a playoff team. They have been outmatched in each of the first two games of the series, and there have not been any signs of it getting better from their perspective. If you were a fan of this Nets team, would you spend your hard-earned money (while spending most of it on New York City rent) to go watch a team you only kind of care about get completely smoked by the Sixers? No? Me either. The Sixers fans, on the other hand, are ravenous; this city is dying for Sixers success, and they’ll spend their last dime to make sure they’re in the building for the contests that get you one step closer to the goal. So yeah, if you’re counting on some type of home court advantage in this series, I wouldn’t bet too much on that. Brooklyn might as well be Philadelphia North.

Today is 4/20. A day that is a holy day if your favorite musician is Bob Marley and you are really into botany. The origins of this cannabis inspired "holiday" dates all the way back to 1971 when 5 students in California found a treasure map leading to a field of abandoned crop. They dubbed themselves "the waldos" because they met outside a wall at school. Creative, I know. They met at 4:20 pm. The term became synonymous with the plant.

The first pop culture reference happened in a 1991 issue of High Times magazine when a story about the Waldos was published. One of the Waldo's became a roadie for The Grateful Dead (fitting) and also credited Deadheads for spreading the term. So that's the backstory of the holiday.

In Philadelphia we have had a few athletes come through this city that are most definitely "celebrating" but then there are others that cant be forgotten on a day like this. Many aren't household names, but THIS is their day. Unfortunately one of those names isn't the legendary Herb Hash who pitched for the Cubs in the 1940's, but his name was so good I had to find a way to include it somehow...

No word if Bake got "Baked" but he did play a pivotal role on the 1980 World Series champion Phillies as he hit .309 that season.

This was a bit of a reach because Norman Pott never played in Philly but he was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals who eventually became the Philadelphia 76ers. Pott was taken in the 6th round but never played in the league because he decided to become a minister. Doubtful that he is celebrating 4/20 but his name is incredibly fitting.

"Roll it!" was a popular phrase during the 2017 Eagles season thanks to Legarrette Blount. The Hard nosed running back ran over opponents on the way to the end zone and on the way to a Super Bowl.

The lesser of the "Blount brothers" (working title) Corie didnt have the success that LaGarrette did in Philly but he was the FIRST Blount in town. A year after the Sixers went to the Championship they, for whatever reason, did a bit of a face lift and it brought Blount to town. His 3.6 points per game and 5 rebounds per game were pretty forgettable. But not by this fan! And hopefully not by the 4/20 community.

The "shot doctor" was in his 20's when Woodstock kicked off so there is a chance he lived up to his name. But he went to coach Philadelphia Textile which became Philadelphia University. He is immortalized in the Basketball Hall of Fame and on 4/20 he is immortalized because his drivers license says "Herb"

Was Rollen ever Rolen up something other than double plays? Who knows. But he won Rookie of the Year as a Phillies player and he became an All-Star. Rolen demanded he be traded out of town so the fan base kind of soured on him. But you know what takes the stress of a Hall of Famer away?... I think you do.

No clue if "Whitey" ever lived up to his last name but he had 2 incredible careers. His baseball career led him into Cooperstown. His radio career was incredible. When youre burning ashes today remember #1

The pitching coach for the 2008 World Series Phils cant be forgotten. But I initially did. Thanks to Tom Alvord for being a fox hole man and reminding me about this legend!

I saved the best for last. No, Lil Stoner isnt a trap rapper....actually maybe there is a trap rapper with that name but hes not the one were reffering to! On 4/20 we are talking about the ACE of the 1931 Phillies. Stoner pitched in 7 incredible games and they even let him start one. He had a 6.59 ERA but that number is deceiving if you decide to become a "lil stoner."