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

The Ben Simmons drama continued and was national sports media's hot topic!

I visited my 6th NBA arena- the Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans, and ran into our GM & President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey!

I heard that Tyrese Maxey was going to be at 97.5 The Fanatic's Fan Fest and I had to be there to see him. Thanks to Jamie Lynch aka The Bro, I got the opportunity of a lifetime!

Ben was my favorite Sixer, but it was time for me to move on from him.

It was easy because just the idea of getting Dame Lillard got me VERY excited!

Along with Anthony Gargano and the majority Sixers fans, I was willing to do my part to recruit him to Philadelphia!

Also during this time I received a few unexpected Sixers gifts that I will forever treasure!

Ben Simmons was the scapegoat, but was the playoff elimination SOLELY Ben Simmons fault? Sixers play-by-play announcer, Marc Zumoff announced his retirement and I knew it was the end of an era. Looking towards the future, is there REALLY a chance we can get Damian Lillard?????!

Reliving the memories of the unforgettable 2021 playoffs. The story continues from 1st Round/ Game 5 vs. Washington Wizards, to the 2nd Round vs. Atlanta Hawks. ...and the last time we would see Ben Simmons play in an NBA game wearing a Sixers uniform.

We ended the regular season as the #1 Seed. I actually loved having Dwight Howard on the team. Embiid's name was in conversations about the league MVP. We faced the Washington Wizards, and they would reveal a weakness in our game that would forever change the trajectory of our team.

I didn't realize the toll, the stress and trauma of the George Floyd trial would have on me, but I could always turn to my Sixers to soothe my soul. Kudos to Society 76 who arranged virtual season ticket holder events that made us feel connected. l also unlocked a memory that would explain why I didn't like Giannis Antetokounmpo as a player. Doc Rivers had our guys playing competitive basketball. Embiid missed games but continued to put up big numbers when he played.

It felt great to return to the Wells Fargo Center after being away for an entire year due to the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. I used the down time to build my ultimate Sixers Fan space to entertain family. Our team was playing well, led by Embiid who having an MVP season. I still loved Ben and was growing mad love for the young guys- Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey.

I started the year off taking a trip to Costa Rica with my girls. I still kept tabs on my guys. Embiid was having an MVP season; I was loving Tyrese Maxey. Ben Simmons was still my favorite player, so I always supported and defended him, but I began to notice his regression and inconsistent performance.

Closing out 2020, I was turning my new house into a home. My Sixers now had a new coach, a new roster and a new draft pick (Tyrese Maxey)! Speculation was swirling around trading Ben, but he was my point guard. I wasn't willing to let him go, not even for All-Star, James Harden.