Written for Sixers.com by @SixersHistory's Curtis Harris Eight times this season, the 76ers will don the newly-unveiled City Edition jerseys inspired by the classic film Rocky. The uniforms are highly distinctive and stand out in Sixers history as the first to have gray as its dominant color. Of course, every jersey in franchise history has some distinction about it. Otherwise, why change up the threads? For a franchise that’s been around for over seven decades, you can believe the 76ers have indeed had a lot of different threads. With that wealth of history in mind, every night this season that the Sixers rock the City Edition Rocky uniforms, we’ll take a quick look back at a previous 76ers jersey. To kick things off, we’re focusing on a jersey so splendid, it helped spark a league-wide fad for eccentric, colorful, and audacious designs. Get ready. It’s time for a stroll down memory lane with the multicolored “swooshing stars” jersey of the early 1990s. During the 1980s, the Sixers had worn simple and stately jerseys with SIXERS inscribed across the chest. At home, the jerseys were solid white. On the road, they were solid red. Well, for the 1991-92 season, the 76ers made a startling departure in style. SIXERS was still emblazoned on the chest, but now “Philadelphia” was added in small script above “SIXERS”. But what the caught the eye of any onlooker was the trail of multicolored stars against a royal blue field. Curving up from the trunks, this trail of stars swooshed onto the player’s torso and continued upward meeting the SIXERS lettering on the chest. Nothing quite like these jerseys had been seen on an NBA court. To read more, continue on Sixers History | Uniform Retrospective - A Swoosh Goes on Forever
For the 76ers (7-5) to ultimately become the team they hope to be, their two young studs will have to continue playing like stars. Also apparent, however, in the early stages of the season is that the team’s fortunes will likely hinge on other members of the roster stepping up, too. Against the Indiana Pacers Wednesday, Joel Embiid (20 pts, 10 reb) and Ben Simmons (16 pts, 10 reb, 8 ast) once again turned in big nights. Such has been the norm in just about every game to date. But what helped the Sixers escape Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a 100-94 victory - their coveted first road win of the year - were the contributions of the surrounding cast, plus some stingy second-half defense. “I’m excited for the group that we got our first road win this year,” said Brett Brown. The Sixers’ most recent win in Indianapolis came at the end of the 2012-13 season, pre-dating Brown’s arrival in Philadelphia by a few months. “It’s been a hard place to play.” As for the help the Sixers’ received Wednesday, it came from a variety of places. Having spent much of the last month working to recapture his form, Dario Saric broke out for a season-best 18 points. He scored twice while helping the Sixers build a 15-point in the opening six minutes of play, then later hit a 3-pointer that gave the club its first lead of the third quarter. Down the stretch, Saric’s fourth and final triple moved the Sixers’ margin to a game-high 17 points. The cushion was enough to get the job done. “He looked like he had a lot of fun,” Simmons said of Saric. Robert Covington also emerged as a key performer Wednesday. He scored all 13 of his points in the second stanza, including six in a row to close out the third period. The spurt, which consisted of an and-1 lay-up off the glass, and a 3-pointer, allowed the Sixers to maintain control when momentum was tenuous. There were also Markelle Fultz and Landry Shamet. Fultz, who pitched in with seven points, two rebounds, four assists, and a career-high four steals, was at the controls during a 10-minute chunk of the second half that saw the Sixers increase their edge from one point to 11. For Shamet, responsible for 12 points, it was more of the same. Shot-making, and reliable all-around play from a rookie who has quickly earned the trust of his coaching staff. To read more, continue on Game Recap | Team Effort Triggers Rare Win in Indy
PHILADELPHIA — NOV. 7, 2018 — The Philadelphia 76ers announced today details for the annual “Stars & Stripes” initiative in partnership with Toyota, tipping off with Military Appreciation Night on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. against the Charlotte Hornets. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a co-branded Toyota and 76ers rally towel. The NBA, its teams and players, have a long history of collaborating with the military. The 76ers and Toyota’s fifth annual “Stars & Stripes” initiative enhances the NBA’s mission to honor military and their families, veteran-serving organizations and retired servicemen and women. “We are very proud to continue our partnership with Toyota to recognize those who have served or currently serve in the United States Armed Forces,” said Amy Hever, Philadelphia 76ers Executive Director of Social Responsibility. “Military Appreciation Night is part of our season-long commitment to honor men and women who have demonstrated their commitment to service and made a positive difference in the lives of others.” The 76ers will celebrate more than 1,000 active and retired servicemen and women during various recognitions throughout Military Appreciation Night, starting with the pregame recognition of the Alpha Bravo Canine Unit, a nonprofit organization that trains service dogs to help veterans with combat-related disabilities. The three new recruits that the organization recently accepted into the program will be presented with a pin on-court to commemorate the start of their journey to serving veterans. During the national anthem, 30 members of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will hold a 1,700-square-foot American flag. At halftime, the 76ers will hold a special jersey presentation for veterans from each of the last six major U.S. conflicts. The veterans will be presented customized 76ers jerseys by active members of the armed forces. The group features Private 1st Class Lena Daniels, who is a 100-year-old WWII veteran and one of the oldest Gold Star mothers in the country. Her son, SPC4 Francis Daniels, passed away during the Vietnam War. The game will include the “Toyota Salute of the Game” recognition, honoring retired Captain and Iraq War veteran Patrick Murphy. Fans will also see 76ers coaches wearing commemorative “Stars & Stripes” lapel pins in honor of Military Appreciation Night. As part of the night's tributes, Sixers ENT, featuring Sixers Dancers, Dunk Squad, presented by Dunkin' Donuts, and mascot Franklin, will wear military-themed outfits. On the concourse, 76ers fans will have the opportunity to write notes of encouragement and record video messages for active military. Fans will also see military vehicles parked outside The Center on game day. The “Stars & Stripes” initiative continues on Tuesday, Nov. 20 when the 76ers and Toyota begin the holiday season with a Season of Giving event in partnership with Soldiers’ Angels, a non-profit dedicated to providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the armed forces. More than 200 volunteers, including 76ers players and coaches, members of the Toyota family and military will work together to package and distribute 2,000 holiday stockings, 2,000 hygiene kits and 1,000 boxed lunches to service members in Iraq, Afghanistan and veterans at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Philadelphia. “We are honored to be able to support our military members and veterans. It is with great pride that we are able to join the Philadelphia 76ers on Military Appreciation Night to honor these brave men and women along with their families for the unbelievable sacrifices they make each and every day,” said Paul Muller, President of the Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association.