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

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!!!

The time is March 2022, I had the 10th circled on my Sixers calendar. This would be Ben Simmons' first game back at the Wells Fargo Center after the James Harden trade. The question on everyone's mind was, would he play or not? ...and if he did, to boo or not to boo was the real question. I would also get some unexpected sad news...

The time is the end of February 2022. I traveled to my 10th NBA arena- Madison Square Garden to see my Sixers play the NY Knicks. It would be my first time seeing James Harden play in a Sixers uniform, live. For the first time in a long time, our team was moving in the right trajectory!

Joel Embiid was out there playing MVP-level basketball practically every game. We were watching greatness, and I can honestly say now, that I took that for granted. Our team was also playing well, and I was anxiously awaiting the addition of league assist leader and new Sixer, James Harden.

The time is now February 2022. Ben Simmons wanted out, but Daryl Morey held the cards and made it clear he'd be patient with getting an all-star caliber player in exchange. I wanted James Harden, but not at the risk of giving up Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle! While this process was playing out, I attended a game and got a point- out from Tobias Harris!

Joel Embiid was having a strong season putting up incredible stats, I was getting more exposure as a Sixers superfan. A conversation with a Facebook friend, would give me the opportunity to be a Sixers Ambassador! I attended another road game, seeing my Sixers play at 9 different NBA arenas and Tyrese Maxey would give me the best Birthday gift ever!

January, 2022- Joel Embiid goes on an incredible scoring streak, making it look easy. That random Wednesday when I shot hoops with Shake Milton and he paid for my lunch at Honeygrow! :-)

I faced my fears and competed in the Society 76 Skills Challenge! It turned out to be one of my favorite fan experience moments to date! Also- Joel Embiid was putting up big numbers like it was nothing. It got to a point where we as Sixers fans were expecting nothing less of him every single game. We were witnessing greatness. I don't even think we realized it at the time.

The year is 2021. Kendall and I add another NBA arena to the list and witnessed a milestone game for Joel Embiid, who was already playing at an elevated level. At the end of the game, Joel Embiid would come face to face with Kendall and give her the best surprise birthday gift!

The thought of getting Damian Lillard was quickly diminishing, Ben was still holding out, and how an interaction with Tyrese Maxey on a road trip in Memphis would make my day and have me love him even more!

Despite Ben sitting out, we were still playing well under Doc Rivers. Damian Lillard was with the Portland (Trail)Blazers but he was still an option! I came up with something to add to my Bucket List, and Kendall and I would run into some amazing people during our Sixers road trip to Atlanta.

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.

News that the NBA would resume the 2019- 2020 season in The Bubble couldn't have come at a better time. The country was divided. Coping with anger, death and sadness... Being a Virtual Fan was the next best thing to actually being in the arena. It was also the end of the Brett Brown era, as we were slowly moving out of the pandemic.

I share my memories of isolation during the covid pandemic and NBA shutdown. Enjoying Sixers games was a huge part of my life, and now it was gone. Dealing with sadness and depression, I would turn to social media and technology for human connection.

I turned 50 with a few mid-life changes, to boo or not to boo, that is question, and hearing the news that Covid-19 Quarantine orders would shut down my Sixers, the NBA and the entire world.

I share a few moments after ringing THE BELL, my thoughts on our team as we closed out 2019. We needed a Man in the locker room. Who was the real team leader? Embiid? Simmons?, my love for Mike Scott. how 2020 started off "different", and the moment I heard about Kobe's tragic accident.

Winning the 2019 Fansided Fan of the Year award was life changing, filled with recognition, gifts, and many, many surprises. But NOTHING would prepare me for the ultimate fan experience!

I was just named 2019 Fan of the Year! A time of reflection, a rebirth, as I was entering the next phase of my life. Meanwhile fans were beginning to turn on Ben Simmons and I wanted to protect him.

Wait! What?!! Jimmy to Miami?! JJ to New Orleans?! No, I'm not happy we got Al Horford! A night of scrolling thru my phone would bring me to a nationwide contest that would have me momentarily question my level of Sixers fandom, and ultimately change the trajectory of my life.

One of my favorite Sixers roster ever! A serious playoff run against the Brooklyn Nets and the Toronto Raptors. My frustration with Joel Embiid and OMG- who can forget the Quadruple Doink???!!!

My story continues with memories of my first Sixers road game, my love for Jimmy Butler and being embarrassed after my first face-to-face encounter with Embiid.

A draft pick gone wrong, my favorite Sixers rep, adding pieces to build around Embiid and Simmons, could Fultz be that 3rd player that we desperately need? ...and the thrill of getting Jimmy Butler! Let's GO!

Fultz with the Yips, Embiid's orbital injury, Ben's incredible Rookie Season, 50+ Wins, an unexpected playoff run, and yes, that frickin' Burner Account...

Personally, this was the worst year of my entire life. I didn't know how much more sadness, grief and disappointment I could take. Through all of the tears, my Sixers would get me through my difficult and challenging times. It was my escape and would provide the joy I so desperately needed.

I had to rewind a bit to recall a few memories from the end of the 2015- 2016, and then share more fan experiences from the 2016- 2017 season.

With the #1, The Philadelphia 76ers select Ben Simmons!...Later in September, I would attend the 2016 NBA Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony and celebrate my favorite athlete, Allen Iverson and ultimately have the best fan weekend EVER!

During this time, I was thrilled to meet a few Sixers Legends, including Bobby Jones! Our team was in full tank-mode. But thru it all, I loved my Philadelphia 76ers and I wanted everyone to support the players and just Trust the Process.

Sam Hinkie, The Process, we're season ticket holders again, drafting Joel Embiid.

Pre-teen Kendall would live out one of my Sixers dreams, and as fate and destiny would have it, I would come face-to-face with my NBA hero and my personal GOAT.

Life was life-ing, the end of the Iverson era made me lose interest in my Philadelphia 76ers, but could a child lead me back?

Married with children, and I get to experience my favorite years as a Sixers fan- thanks to Allen Iverson!

My story continues from post high school graduation to starting the next chapter of my life, now as an adult.

It's my senior year of high school and I still incorporate the Sixers into every aspect of my life. Graduation is fast approaching ...and I have no plan for my future.

My story continues with my time at Sixers Camp and meeting my first real love!