Erving vs. Bird and the 1980 Philly Season
Not sure what got me thinking of the Sixers, especially since I could care less about the NBA anymore. There was a time, for many of us, when the Sixers were the number one in Philly. Dr. J, in my case, had everything to do with that. The Sixers/Celtics/Lakers games on Sunday afternoons were priceless.
Never forget my senior year in high school when my two favorite athletes finally came to blows… November 9, 1984. I know, I said it. Bird was, and always has been, my favorite athlete of all time. Easily he is the most fundamentally sound athlete ever who made the most out of everything he was given. Those two players fueled my sports bug throughout high school and college.
Julius top ten dunks:
Bird Hall of Fame video:
In 1980 when I was 13 years old, all four Philly professional teams made their respective championships. This was the beginning of the glory days for professional sports. Not only in our city, but in all leagues. Many in our championship-deprived city may have forgotten the glory days of 27 years ago. The Eagles lost to the Raiders in the Super Bowl; the Sixers lost to the Lakers in the NBA Finals; the Flyers lost to the Islanders for the Stanley Cup; and, finally, the Phillies beat the Royals in the World Series. I was in attendance for game two with my Dad and two big brothers. I remember well watching Mike Schmidt hit a two run knock off of Dan Quisenberry to take a one run lead.
Could you imagine what the Philly sports scene would be like if our teams could repeat those days?
