A rough weekend for Philly sports fans | Editorial
Despite the performances of the Flyers and Sixers, sports fans still have plenty to look forward to this year.
Even for a fanbase that’s well-accustomed to sporting misery, this past weekend was a rough one for Philadelphia.
Both the Flyers and the 76ers saw their seasons end in 4-0 playoff sweeps. Both lost at home, no less. And both lost in the second round after energizing fans with respective first-round upsets.
The end came quickly after several weeks of playoff excitement that had the town abuzz. Two Philly teams in the playoffs also provided a much-needed distraction as the Phillies lost 10 games in a row, costing manager Rob Thomson his job.
The Flyers lost 3-2 in overtime on Saturday to the Carolina Hurricanes on a goal that bounced off the glove of goalie Dan Vladař — who played great all season — and trickled over the goal line.
It was an agonizing end to an otherwise successful season. Fans began to believe again after the Flyers beat their in-state rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins — and Sidney Crosby — in the first round of the playoffs.
After years in the wasteland, the Flyers gave Philly fans a reason to get excited about hockey again. They are a young team that showed grit and hustle, but they were outclassed by Carolina.
The 4-0 sweep by the Hurricanes underscored that the Flyers may be just a few talented players away from championship glory.
Flyers fans do not need a reminder that it has been 51 years since the team last won the Stanley Cup. When they won the first cup in 1974, then-coach Fred Shero’s message to the team was, “Win today, and we walk together forever.”
It’s been a long walk, but the Flyers appear to be on the right path.
The same cannot be said for the Sixers, who have not won an NBA championship in 43 years. Joel Embiid is a monster talent, but injuries are likely to keep “The Process” from ever coming to fruition. (Memo to the Sixers ownership and Sam Hinkie: Intentionally losing to win was never a smart plan, and may have cursed a franchise that doesn’t need any cursing.)
There were no expectations going into the playoffs for the Sixers. After falling behind 3-1 to the hated Boston Celtics, the season seemed over. But then the Sixers suddenly started playing team basketball and reeled off three wins in a row.
Beating the Celtics in Game 7 at Boston Garden was a win for the ages and made up for a disappointing season. In fact, the last time the Sixers beat the Celtics in the playoffs was 1982.
There is a pattern here of Philadelphia sports highlights occurring with just a bit more frequency than the passing of Halley’s comet.
The sheer joy of beating the Celtics was short-lived, as the Sixers got swept by the Knicks. Not only did they lose four in a row to New York, but the Sixers got blown out in two of the games. Game 4 was over in the first quarter.
Adding insult to injury, Knicks fans invaded Xfinity Mobile Arena just as they did two years ago.
“I used to think Philly was a sports town,” Knicks forward Josh Hart, who played for Villanova, said with a smile after his team completed the sweep. “I don’t know if it is anymore.”
Ouch. That hurt is sure to add to Philadelphia’s inferiority complex with the Big Apple.
Still, there are some glimmers of hope for Philly sports fans.
The PGA Championship is at Aronimink Golf Club in Delaware County this week. The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to play matches at Lincoln Financial Field starting next month. The Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played in Philadelphia in July.
But disappointed Flyers and Sixers fans will have to wait again until next year.
