I'm Just A Sixers Fan! The Lauren Fanoftheyear Story

The story continues. The time is now July 23rd, 2022. Over the next 2 months I would post NBA players birthdays, an NBA legend's death, a wedding, a possible Dr. J sighting(???), a Sixer player getting attacked abroad, a new player signing, and I had a major announcement of my own! ...and I was finally able to find that bottle of James Harden wine!

The time is July 10, 2022. The story picks up where Season 3 left off. It's my last day at 2022 NBA Summer League in Vegas. I even ran into an NBA coach in the concourse as I arrived at the Thomas & Mack Center! By the end of July, a new proposed downtown Sixers arena was announced, 76 Place at Market East. I was thrilled and shared my excitement during an interview with Krystle Rich from NBC-10. I would quickly find out, that not everyone was excited...

The time is now July 2022. On a whim, I decided to take a trip to Las Vegas to attend Summer League. This was one of my most favorite fan experiences! I would mingle with passionate fans like myself, and even come face to face with a few surprises that made my gasp!

The time is now May, 12 2022. We are officially in the offseason. Kendall and I decided to take a getaway trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. I can never fully unplug from my Sixers because there are always signs! There were lots of moves/ trade talks during this offseason. I was fine as long as Tyrese Maxey was off the table. Kendall and I also had the honor of attending the red carpet film premiere of the movie Hustle- thanks to Anthony "The Cuz" Gargano, from 97.5 The Fanatic!

The time is now May, 2022 and we are facing the number #1 Eastern Conference Seed- Miami Heat in Round 2/ Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs. We were down in the series 0- 1, and Game 2 was in Miami. We were playing without our best player, Joel Embiid due to an orbital bone fracture and injured thumb. Could James Harden, Tobias Harris and a young Tyrese Maxey step up and get us over the hump? Embiid was clearly our MVP, but he was in a tight race with Nikola Jokic to be named league MVP.

The time is now April 28, 2022. Round 1/ Game 6 against the Toronto Raptors would cause Embiid's orbital bone fracture in the closing minutes. We advanced to the 2nd round against the Miami Heat but would be without our best player. Coach Doc Rivers said this wasn't the Paul Reed Victory Tour, but I had faith in BBall Paul. I decided to fly to Miami for my first road playoff game, and visiting my 11th arena. I would have the opportunity to talk to Tyrese Maxey's parents, and later have a face-to-face moment with a drunk Heat fan. But thankfully, I would run into a few familiar faces, including my good friend, Fred, who was an angel in disguise.

The time is now April 16, 2022. Our 4th Seed Philadelphia 76ers face the 5th Seed Toronto Raptors. Joel Embiid's game improves with the support of a true point guard, James Harden. Tyrese Maxey shows early signs of being something special, and even though I thought Danny Green was the slow, old guy on the roster, he came up big for us during this round, in addition to his veteran leadership on and off the court.

The time is April, 2022 and I am reliving the end of the 2021- 2022 season, as we head into the playoffs with Joel Embiid, who is coming off an extraordinary, herculean regular season! We also had the addition of James Harden, the veteran leadership of Tobias Harris, Danny Green, and a bunch of young talent- Tyrese Maxey, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton. Could this be enough to get us over the hump?

The time is March 24, 2022 and I was with Vince and Philly Sports Trips for the Ultimate LA Road Trip. I got to see my Sixers play the LA Clippers. Even though at the time they played at the same NBA arena, I counted the Clippers game as my 15th NBA arena. While in LA I took the opportunity to visit my spunky 70+ year old, Aunt Bess who lived in LA for most of her life, went sightseeing thru Hollywood, took public transportation to the Santa Monica Pier and met a bunch of people, many whom I still stay in contact with to this day!

The time is March 15, 2022. I had to say goodbye to the biggest NY Knicks fan I ever met and then prepare for my L.A road trip with Philly Sports Trips. We saw a great Sixers/ Lakers game, and I was able to log my 14TH NBA Arena! I have met the most amazing people just being a Sixers fan!!!