Imagine buying a designer dress and not being able to wear it out on the town, or purchasing a sports car and having to leave it in the garage.
That is what it has been like for the Sixers new ownership. They bought the third-most winningest franchise in NBA history in the midst of a lockout, preventing them from showing off or even talking about their plans to return Philadelphias pro basketball team to greatness.
Sunday afternoon the hardwood was down at the Wells Fargo Center for friends of 76ers owner Joshua Harris to enjoy. Harris had a gathering at the sports arena following his running of the Philadelphia Marathon. It was the third time Harris has embarked on the 26.2 mile trek, but his first in the City of Brotherly Love. Harris completed the run in a new personal best time of 3 hours, 48 minutes.
The time is probably too important to me, the 46-year old explained. I ran my first marathon in 4 hours, 20 minutes, my second in 3:53 and my third in 3:48. So yes, it is important to me; it means a lot.
It meant a lot, too, that Harris could run a marathon in the city he once called home.
I decided once I made the investment in the Sixers that I love running and so I chose the Philly marathon because it would be a nice way to connect with the city, Harris said. Or reacquaint myself with all the areas and people.
Harris graduated from University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Business in 1986. Sundays race did meander through Penns campus before finishing on the Parkway in front of the Art Museum.
NBA
Harris was greeted at the finish line by his wife Majorie and their five children. Sixers CEO Adam Aaron was also there, as was Harris mom. The Harris fan club was easy to spot because of the Sixers gear they donned. Harris had high praise for the course and the weather that Mother Nature delivered with it. It was a perfect day.
The only thing that could have added to his experience would have been an end to the NBA lockout which is now 144 days old.
Wed like to be playing, he said.
Instead his new toy sits on a shelf waiting patiently to be dusted off and put out for display.
Odds and Ends
Doug Collins and his entire coaching staff joined Harris post race party while Sixers Strength and Conditioning Coach Jessie Wright also ran the marathon; his time was 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Team CEO Adam Aaron bid on a number of Julius Erving auction items and won. The 144 piece collection brought in more than 3.5 million. The items Aaron won will soon be on display for all Dr. J fans to enjoy.