Misguided Fans Who Think They Know How A Locker Room Feels

Over the course of my career, I’ve worked directly for two NHL franchises as a statistical assistant to a coaching staff and as a broadcaster. I’ve done radio shows for a quarter of a century on a daily basis. I’ve been in my fair share of locker rooms but never as frequently as print media who cover teams.

Never once have felt that I could speak to my audience as to what a locker room “culture” is or how they feel about things unless I was directly told. Yet, every day I read on X or some team fan blog site a reference to “locker rooms” and what the players feel or what is going on in them. If it’s not a beat writer or someone with direct knowledge, I laugh at it. Here are just a few reasons why;

Search X, and you will find dozens of these opinions. I don’t go in the 76ers locker room, but I have spoken to people who do frequently. Yes, Pat Bev will be a loss.

Is it going to hurt the team? He was described to me as a floor teacher and respected teammate. Is that going to cause the team to lose a game in April? Nonsense! Especially if they need a three ball, the 76ers upgraded. No players are going to sulk and turn on the organization over him moving on.

All I ever hear about is how the Eagles needed those veteran leaders to help create a winning culture. Instead of getting younger like in previous Eagles generations, the team decided to bring back the elder statesman for another ride in 2023.

The bottom line is that it meant nothing when it mattered. The team lost complete fight and focus and played as poorly as any team in the NFL after their 10-1 start. Having those veteran leaders did nothing, and some of them were anonymous and quiet as the building burned.

This is the classic take of the hockey novices who have no knowledge of the reality and history of John Tortorella. He's had three different tenures of five seasons or more in his NHL career. The average NHL coach lasts about three seasons in one place.

Yes, he can be abrasive with the media. I observed his work in Tampa Bay firsthand frequently. His locker room, however, seemed to have a good time with the guy. You don’t last that long by being a constant negative force.

Like I do, unless I have first hand information, leave all the “locker room” analysis to those who are actually in them.

The Philadelphia 76ers have retired 10 numbers in their franchise history. The names of some of the best players in NBA history hang in the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center.

They’ve celebrated two NBA Championships in Philadelphia and one as the Syracuse Nationals before their relocation in 1963.

The best era in franchise history came during the late 1970s and the early 1980s. The Sixers advanced to the NBA Finals four times in seven seasons from 1976-77 through 1982-83.

They finally broke through on their fourth try. Beloved stars Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Andrew Toney took down the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under the leadership of head coach Billy Cunningham.

Four members of the glorified championship team (and their coach) have their numbers retired, and one more player deserves his own banner.

Two of the most colorful personalities in the modern era spent long tenures in Philadelphia without winning championships. However, the organization pays proper tribute to the careers of Allen Iverson and Charles Barkley with proudly displayed banners.

Another NBA superstar has highlighted the most recent era after the brutal basement seasons during “The Process.” Joel Embiid hopes someday to see his name hanging next to the franchise’s all-time greats. 

An organization with admirable class has put together memorable ceremonies to honor some of its best players. The Sixers have immortalized a local legend who was the most dominant player in basketball history at the height of his career.

They’ve glorified Allen Iverson because of Philadelphia’s continued infatuation with the polarizing former MVP. The organization has also honored the most entertaining commentator in the sport.

Fans adore the stars of the past as part of a proud legacy. The Philadelphia 76ers have made three additions to their list of retired numbers in recent seasons. These ceremonies have drawn huge crowds at the Wells Fargo Center. Expect the tradition to continue.

Hall of Famer Moses Malone played only five of his 19 NBA seasons in Philadelphia. He didn’t need much time to become a franchise legend though. He led the 1982-83 76ers in scoring with both Julius Erving and Andrew Toney on the floor. 

The addition of Malone pushed a contending team into greatness. He won the NBA Finals MVP Award in 1983 after the Sixers swept the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers.

The Sixers selected the 6-foot-0 guard from Georgetown in 1996 to end the dormant period after the Charles Barkley trade in 1992. Allen Iverson won four scoring titles and led the 76ers to an appearance in the 2001 NBA Finals.

He is one of the best players in franchise history and one of the most beloved Philadelphia athletes of all time.

Dolph Schayes played 14 seasons for the Syracuse Nationals before they moved to Philadelphia in 1963. He played only 24 games for the 76ers in his final NBA season in 1963-64, but his number hangs in the rafters at the Wells Fargo Center to celebrate his work as a trailblazer and the face of the original era in franchise history.

Dr. J wasn't the best basketball player who ever lived, but he might’ve been the smoothest. He played his first of 11 seasons with the Sixers in 1976-77 after a five-year stint in the ABA.

He earned 16 total All-Star appearances and four MVP Awards during a career that cemented his legacy in the top tier of all-time Philadelphia 76ers.

Cheeks averaged 12.2 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11 seasons with the Sixers. However, his lockdown defense and loveable persona earned him a place in history as a 76ers icon. It’s tough to find anyone with a bad thing to say about Mo Cheeks.

Chamberlain played 277 of his 1045 career games with the Sixers. The Overbrook native revolutionized the sport at every stop of his career on the hardwood. It’s easier to measure NBA records in modern times if you exclude the outrageous statistical career of the most dominant basketball player of all time.

Dolph Schayes passed the torch to Hal Greer as the centerpiece of the relocated 76ers. Greer earned 10 consecutive All-Star appearances through the decade of the 1960s. Per the team’s official website, he owns the top spot in franchise history in points scored, minutes played, field goals made, field goals attempted, games played, and personal fouls.

Jone came to Philadelphia at age 26 in 1978 as the Sixers were entering the thick of their best era in franchise history. His role with the 1983 NBA Champions highlighted his eight-year career in Philadelphia. He earned 11 selections to the NBA All-Defensive Team throughout his career.

Billy “The Kangaroo Kid” Cunningham played all nine of his NBA seasons with the Sixers. He helped them to their first championship in Philadelphia in his second season in 1966-67. The Hall of Famer and five-time All-Star also spent eight seasons as the Sixers head coach and reached the NBA Finals four times.

The “Round Mound of Rebound” spent the first eight of his 16 NBA seasons with the 76ers.

The story of Charles Barkley in Philadelphia doesn’t have the best ending. His relationship with the organization began to sour, and they dealt him to the Phoenix Suns for a regrettable return package in 1992. It doesn’t ruin the legacy of an outstanding player who averaged 20+ points and 10+ rebounds seven times as a member of the Sixers.

When Matt Cord announces Joel “The Process” Embiid, the goosebumps circulate through the bodies of the Philadelphia home crowd. The 7-foot-0 center has displayed one of the most overwhelming skill sets of any player in the modern NBA.

His track record since his rookie season in 2016-17 already qualifies him for a future number retirement ceremony, but he certainly isn’t satisfied without the elusive NBA Championship.

The Sixers got an absolute steal with the 21st-overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Tyrese Maxey has a chance to join the all-time greats if he becomes the Robin to Joel Embiid’s Batman.

His loveable persona and his story of blowing expectations out of the water have made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia. The Wells Fargo Center ceiling is the limit.

A fallout with the organization has probably impacted the decision not to retire the #22 for Andrew Toney. The player and the organization had some hostility in the late 1980s, but Toney’s legacy as “The Boston Strangler” should outweigh any hard feelings.

Both Toney and the Sixers can take a page from the book of Eric Lindros and the Flyers by burying the hatchet in the spirit of honoring a successful overall body of work for a deserving player.