An old writer returns to LB.
“Like the prodigal son, I was out on my own. Now I’m trying to find my way back home.”
The Colangelos and Okafors can no longer silence me.
It’s been a little over four years since I wrote a post for Liberty Ballers. At the time, the Sixers hadn’t made the playoffs in five years. Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz had yet to play a meaningful minute in a Sixers uniform. Joel Embiid had just 31 NBA games under his belt. Tyrese Maxey had recently finished up his sophomore year of high school.
What I’m getting at is that a lot has changed for the Sixers since the last time I wrote for LB. A lot has changed for me.
I’ve bounced around a ton of places across the Philadelphia media realm, but SB Nation has always been my true home. I’ve been a staff writer at Bleeding Green Nation for the last two years. If you’re also a Birds fan, I hope you’re checking out all the great content there too. There’s really nowhere on the internet that truly gets to the core of Philly sports fans like BGN, LB, Broad Street Hockey, The Good Phight and Brotherly Game.
Given that the Sixers’ fortunes have changed so rapidly the last few years, LB has understandably changed as well. I wrote about the Sixers when the team completely sucked shit. The other writers and I would mix serious analysis (oh, those days I’d wake up at 5 a.m. in college to watch Dario Saric play in Turkey…) with utter nonsense (writing a love letter to Tiago Splitter).
LB is currently filled with a ton of sharp basketball minds. I know my Xs and Os, but I also know my voice, the style that helps me connect with Sixers fans and Philly sports fans in general. I will bring some of those old-school Liberty Ballers light, fun and goofy vibes while also screaming for Seth Curry to keep jacking threes. I want Liberty Ballers to be the best spot for every type of content a Sixers fan could want.
So, yeah. I’m amped. The Boys Are Back in Town, baby.
Also… please trade Ben.