Sixers Have Served Their Penance

by Posted on

When Fultz twisted his ankle, 99.231% of all Sixers fans cried out some sort of exclamation of disbelief and pessimism. I heard at least a half dozen or so of people open their windows in my South Philly neighborhood, stick their heads out and yell the following:

NOT AGAIN!

WE’RE SCREWED!

WE’RE DOOMED!

OUT FOR THE YEAR!

THE BASKETBALL GODS HATE US!

After the injuries of Embiid and Simmons and the history of Philadelphia sports, it’s easy to understand a reaction of negativity. Even journalists and web sites asked questions about the basketball gods punishing the Sixers for tanking.

However, Markelle Fultz is okay. He’s not wearing a boot. He’s not on crutches. In fact, he was seen at practice walking around.

This has to be a sign that the Sixers past is the past and the franchise is now entering the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

While it may be true that the basketball gods, and league office, weren’t totally keen on the Hinkie tanking, as a superstitious person and recovering Catholic, I think it’s safe to say the Sixers have paid their penance and good things are on the horizon. The Kings swap working in the Sixers’ favor corroborates this as well.

I remember, from my confessional days, that missing mass on Sunday may get you a penance of 7 Hail Marys and 10 Our Fathers. A lie to your parents might get you 4 Hail Marys, 4 Our Fathers, and 1 Glory Be.

The Sixers did upwards of four years of tanking. They paid a penance of two lost years of Embiid, one lost year of Ben Simmons, an a terrible Okafor year. 4 years of tanking and 4 collective seasons of penance.

That’s fair. That’s just. Any additional penance/punishment would be unjust to the fans of Philadelphia.

That twisted ankle of Markelle Fultz was a sign and a reminder. A reminder of how quick the energy of the universe could’ve crushed the hopes of another season, but also a sign that penance has been served and all is right with these basketball gods.

It’s gonna be a fun one. 10-9-8-76ers!