Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry is living his dream by playing in his hometown

On November 1, 1996, a 10-year-old kid walked into the CoreStates Center amazed, as were all the opposite intrigued and excited Philadelphia 76ers fans. Tickets obtained from a family friend not only allowed the North Philadelphia team to attend their first game on the Sixers’ recent arena, but, more importantly, allowed the debut of heralded rookie Allen Iverson.

The Milwaukee Bucks spoiled the evening, beating the Sixers 111-103 despite Iverson’s 30 points and 6 assists. Seeing Iverson dominate amongst NBA giants at just 6-foot-4 allowed the child to dream of playing in the NBA even deeper.

Now, 28 years later, Kyle Lowry is playing in the identical arena as Sixer.

“I had a guy, Robert Taylor. Good guy. He was buying us some scalped tickets,” Lowry told Andscape in March. – I still have that coin. It’s probably somewhere in my mom’s house without delay, together with other things. But they handed out this commemorative coin to rejoice the opening of what is now the Wells Fargo Center.

“I was in awe of the guy (Iverson) who was so small (dominant). And I didn’t know then that he was tall because I was a little child. But seeing him be able to do what he did in the premiere and just go out there with Stack (Jerry Stackhouse) was crazy. It was good for me. It was fun to watch.”

On Tuesday night, Lowry and his Sixers hope to maintain their season alive in Game 5 of their first-round series against the host New York Knicks. The Knicks lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Time will tell if this is also Lowry’s last game with the Sixers. The former Villanova University star averaged 8.1 points, 4.2 assists and three.2 rebounds for the Sixers this season after signing as a free agent for the remaining of the season for $2.8 million on February 14. Lowry reunited with his former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, who won the 2019 NBA Championship.

Below is a Q&A with Lowry, who talks about what it means to wear a Sixers jersey, how he was in a position to acquire his beloved number 7 from teammate Mo Bamba, being mentored by NBA All-Star teammate Tyrese Maxey, the impact Sixers star Joel Embiid, if healthy, could have the importance of being the NBA’s fourth-oldest player and far more.

Is playing on your house court the very last thing you should check in your NBA profession?

This was a box I never thought I’d check. I all the time wanted this, but I never thought it will occur. And while you grow up, you say, “Oh…” I said no once I was younger. I desired to do it a number of years ago once I was still in great shape and had the chance to come back back. But Toronto was the correct situation for me. So (I re-signed) back to Toronto and (going to Philadelphia) just didn’t work out. But I feel now is the proper time to be here, especially with Tyrese and an emerging superstar (Embiid). So for me it was a blessing in disguise that I used to be in a position to help this child and be around him.

How did you’re feeling while you first placed on a Sixers jersey?

The first time it was crazy. You represent your name, Lowry. You represent your loved ones. You represent everyone. You represent your city. That’s pretty cool.

How did you turn out to be a Sixers fan?

My mom. My brother. I’m sure everyone was a Sixers fan. They loved Dr. J (Julius Erving), Armen Gilliam, Charles Barkley. I used to be a fan of Dana Barros. It’s coming back for some time. You had to observe them on (sports TV channel) PRISM. Only Philadelphians know what it is. I watched as many games as I could, NBC games each time I could. They were never really on NBC because they were never any good for some time. But any probability I had to observe it, I’d.

Who influenced you probably the most in basketball?

Artificial intelligence has been one in all my biggest influences in basketball. My brother needless to say. But in the NBA, in fact, all of us liked Michael Jordan back then.

Do you remember the primary game you played in as an NBA player in Philadelphia?

Yes, I feel I purchased 75 tickets. I feel it was my second 12 months in Memphis in the league. I purchased seventy-five tickets. Yes, it was big money for me back then. But I made sure everyone was there. I’m blissful they got to see me play. I do not remember what I did in that match, but I doubt we won. We didn’t win many games in Memphis back then. But it was good. It was a cool experience.

How did you mentor Maxey?

It’s just experience. I’m talking with him. Keep him on his toes in the case of doing things on each side. Making sure he won’t be satisfied with being a one-way guy. I all the time desired to be a two-sided guy. Making sure he leads in every way… But he has a lot talent and skill. Who he is is contagious. And you could have to reap the benefits of it.

What’s the perfect thing about being at home and what’s the most important challenge?

It’s not a challenge anymore. I’ve all the time been in a position to say no, in order that’s easy. You need to bring something unique to town that hasn’t been there for a very long time. So it is a challenge, which is good. I need to get to the purpose where we hold the (championship) trophy. The better part is which you can represent your city that you just grew up watching.

When you arrived in Philadelphia, Mo Bamba was wearing number 7. How did you get your longtime number back?

It’s been my number for a while. I appreciate you, Mo Bamba. I paid for it (by donating to the Mo Bamba Foundation). I can not inform you how much I paid for it, but in that respect he is a beautiful gentleman. It was an exceptional thing for me to do for his charity. This is big for me. He didn’t handle himself. Cool.

(Bamba’s charity is) amazing. He sent me the brochure and I said, “Bet it.” This is cool.’ Listen, I even have many brothers from there (Africa). (Oklahoma City Thunder center) Bismack Biyombo is doing an unbelievable job. (Former NBA player) Serge (Ibaka) is doing an ideal job. Mo has done many great things for his country (parents) (Côte d’Ivoire). (Raptors president) Masai (Ujiri) of The Giants of Africa. It’s a lovely thing to have the chance to assist and represent Black people and their culture.

Your wife and two sons are still in South Florida, where you played for the Miami Heat earlier this season. What’s it wish to be away from them?

This is the toughest part. I can not see my children day by day. It was difficult. But dad supports them and so they understand that. They still watch the games, support you and love you. So they understand what dad’s job is. That’s the best thing about it. They understand. They are mature enough to grasp it.

They have been with me all over the place (during my NBA profession)… So this is the primary time without them. But they’re older and already settled down. That’s why my children are a very powerful to me. We have FaceTime. I’m just checking in. I’m trying to observe their games. Download videos.

How good can the Sixers be with a healthy Embiid?

We are really good. There are some guys who may be MVP and he is one in all them. There are some guys in this league who may be MVP yearly. He is one in all them. If you add him back to any team, you may know what you may get. Dominant, special power.

The Sixers have not won an NBA title since 1983. What would it not mean to you to be a part of a championship team with the Sixers? How crazy would you act on the Championship Parade in Philadelphia?

I would not act like a madman in any respect. Maybe I won’t even go. I could just sit and wait on stage and revel in the moment on stage. It would mean the identical thing for Philadelphia because it did for Toronto once I was there. I used to be there in 2001 when the Sixers made it to the Finals. I wasn’t born yet the last time we won. But it was 1983. Yes, I do know the date. I’m a basketball historian.

What’s it wish to be the fourth-oldest player in the NBA, which has about 450 players?

I told LeBron (James) that we’ve got to maintain our finger on the heartbeat of the older people. It’s great to maintain giving, playing and representing the boys. I’ve been playing for 3 many years.