When you watch a sporting event, either live in person, at a local establishment with friends or in the confines of your own home, certain players stick out. Commentators like Dicky V uses the expression PTPers, meaning a person who rises to the occasion, preforming like a prime time player. Meanwhile, professional analysts and announcers have their own unique vocabulary. Words like ACTIVE, ENERGY, HUSTLE and LIFE are compliments to players who make their team better. Former Philadelphia 76ers Bobby Jones fits this description, winning 6th Man of the Year Honors for his selfless dedication to the game of basketball.
However, there was an invisible force, which motivated Bobby to give 100 percent every night on the court, diving, laying out and fighting for any loose basketball. During his initial experience in the NBA as a Houston Rocket, the team chaplain began to hold chapel services prior to each game. This spiritual pre-game pep talk inspired Bobby to play hard every time he walked out onto the court. In a trade from Houston to Philadelphia, Bobby only made one request, for the 76ers to start a chapel service. Once each side agreed to this condition, the rest is history.
Sixer stars Dr. J and Mo Cheeks had come close to winning a title, but either the Boston Celtics or L.A. Lakers annually ended their season prematurely before they reached their goal. NBA writers credit the Moses Malone addition to the 76ers prior to the 1982-83 season as the final piece to the puzzle. In fact, like a prophet of old, Moses predicted Philadelphia would win the NBA title in 4, 4, and 4. This meant the Sixers would go undefeated, 12-0 in the playoffs, sweeping each 7 game series. Instead, Philly went 4-0, 4-1 and 4-0, beating the Lakers in L.A. to win their first title since the days of Wilt, not bad for a modern day prophet.
Bobby Jones disagrees with this perspective. From outside the locker room, Moses’ play was a no brainer, a dominant figure who carried the 76ers in the playoffs. Yet, from within, pre-game chapels began to unify this team as one body. This spiritual bond helped put everything together: coaching, talent and victories. While the world saw a dynamic team win a championship, to this day Bobby Jones still believes this title started with the chapels and ended in L.A. During this Christmas season, give thanks and praise to the one who has made everything possible, Jesus Christ our Lord.
by Jay Mankus
Don’t let the NBA’s quadrople header on Christmas Day distract you from baby who was born to save us from our sins!
