Candis R. McLean
The past few months have been full of speculation and rumors. The 76ers’ former general manager was involved in a Catfish scandal, the team had tons of money, not to mention several assets. Regardless of front office woes, the stage was set for an ultimate merger between this franchise and a star player. Bringing the star hunt front and center was our beloved coach and temporary general manager Brett Brown.
We Are Star Hunting
When the season was over, Brett gave this closing speech before the off-season, opening the eyes of several fans:
Brett Brown talking about LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard?
“I’m here to win a championship. We are star hunting… you are not going to win a championship any other way… to have that unprotected 1st round draft pick is gold.” @6abc#Sixers#HereTheyCome #PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/ZjboWo8tmR
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) June 23, 2018
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The Warm-Ups and Expectations
Some fans began the process of eyebrow-raising and extreme excitement. Others played the wait and see game:
Mentally preparing myself for a Simmons-JJ-Covington-Saric-Embiid opening night starting 5
— max (@MaxOnTwitter) June 29, 2018
Sixers gonna get someone like Demar Derozan and think the fans are gonna be excited. SMH
— TERI (@terilyns68) June 28, 2018
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We Actually Thought It Would Happen
Once the rumors started brewing and the news of a meeting broke, the Lebron to Philly signing became a possibiltiy on the reality meter. It even broke Vegas:
There are currently no odds on where LeBron will sign. We will be sure to update if anything changes.
— OddsShark (@OddsShark) July 1, 2018
— Natalie Egenolf (@NatalieEgenolf) June 29, 2018
Sixers Twitter: It’s fine, we’re probably not getting Lebron, we’ve made our peace with it.
*Ben Simmons put a picture of him and Lebron on Snapchat*
Sixers Twitter: pic.twitter.com/LWO8SZpsOo— Matt Carey (@RealMattCarey) June 29, 2018
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski: on LeBron James: “The Lakers are not a slam dunk to get this done. The Sixers are a team to watch, they are very much in this thing.”#Sixers fans: pic.twitter.com/N4hsABahBH
— Gayle Saunders (@EagleSessions) July 1, 2018
— danny ?? (@d_annyc) July 1, 2018
Is a frankford and cottman celebration acceptable if the Sixers get Lebron @PhillyPolice
— Patty Bombs (@PatriickDoyle) July 1, 2018
the first time in my Sixers fandom that i’ve cared more about the start of free agency than the announcement of the summer league roster
— Michael Levin (@Michael_Levin) June 30, 2018
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The Lebron Hype Era Got Weird for Some of You
Some of you went to extremes to seal the deal and bargain:
If LeBron just wants to feel like a god, he should come to Philly because this picture undersells what the Wells Fargo Center would look like before his first game pic.twitter.com/YYAM087nPs
— shamus (@shamus_clancy) June 30, 2018
I encourage all of my Sixers followers, LDS or not, to fast with me today.
Fasting is to go without food & drink voluntarily for 2 meals. Fasting, combined with sincere prayer, can help you prepare yourself and others to receive God’s blessings (AKA LeBron)#FastForLeBron https://t.co/4qGkjrAAOh
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) July 1, 2018
WHY? WHY? pic.twitter.com/KOQyUbBqiX
— Philly Nation (@Philly__Nation) July 1, 2018
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That Time Embiid Had Points
Embiid pulled out a true fact that several tarnished Lebron murals in Los Angeles would back up:
The Lakers are FOREVER gonna be Kobe’s and Magic’s team…. Process that
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 30, 2018
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When Lebron Signed With LA
And just like that, the dream was over:
According to Steve Harvey, Lebron James has joined the Sixers!! pic.twitter.com/nsCZv1J9Hv
— King James (@LakerLABron) July 2, 2018
When Lebron James decides to sign with the Lakers instead of the Sixers pic.twitter.com/ppESgMCv5R
— Justin Hughes (@j_hughes_3) July 2, 2018
Some people took the news better…
Sixers Fans: LeBron just UNLOCKED the Eastern Conference, #Sixers #HereTheyCome ??? pic.twitter.com/E1XVZhixcG
— Ike Reese (@Ike58Reese) July 2, 2018
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Sending Kawhi the “Wyd” Text
Now that our main option was gone, it ws time to hit up the backup:
Brett Brown looking at Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio like…#Sixers | #Spurs pic.twitter.com/RHlVUC8YIv
— Unsportsmanlike Content™ (@UCSportsMedia) July 12, 2018
RoCo, Bayless, TLC, MIA 2021 first, Sixers 2019 first, And Sixers 2021 pick for Kawhi Leonard? pic.twitter.com/Z6XwDl6Xpa
— NotACritic (@UncleDJay) July 7, 2018
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When The Melo Rumors Came Out
Well the side piece of Kawhi wanted an allowance, a house, a new car, and a new wardrobe. It was time to diversify and check in on old and run down options:
“The Sixers may be interested in Melo.”
me: pic.twitter.com/7y94wHGSxN— Did the Sixers Win? (@DidTheSixersWin) July 9, 2018
If the Sixers are down to two roster options this offseason, bring in Carmelo, or do nothing, they should sell the team for considering Melo.
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) July 9, 2018
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Reconciliation and Recaps
With the offseason looking less likely to attract new faces to the squad, some took stock an fthe roster and others added fuel to the fire:
SoOoOo the Sixers this offseason:
– burner account scandal—fired their GM
– tried to sign LeBron—got Wilson Chandler instead
– tried to hire Daryl Morey—failed pic.twitter.com/3gN3tz0pfn
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) July 16, 2018
Marc and Alaa covering the Sixers on @NBCSPhilly next season pic.twitter.com/5TvidYSpJJ
— max (@MaxOnTwitter) July 5, 2018
Big #Sixers news continues today:
We almost signed LeBron
He almost bought a house in Jersey
We almost hired a GM
We almost made the second round of the playoffs
Sonny Hill almost left his living room— JCorrado (@ForzaCorrado) July 12, 2018
The “sixers missed out on LeBron so they’re having a terrible offseason” is the worst, short-sighted argument out there.
— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) July 3, 2018
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Back to the Grind and The Process
At the end of the day, the starting lineup will probably be the same. Acceptance for some came:
If Ben said this the final piece then that’s the final piece and we running it back pic.twitter.com/QkTejOMZfV
— Offseason Zo (@Tweets_By_Zo) July 4, 2018
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].