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

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....

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.