Perhaps simplistic, but rings true.  I would say NYC worships money, Boston intelligence, DC power.  

So what does Philadelphia worship?

Heart.

I was just talking to a good friend about how this is embodied in the example of Allen Iverson.  Absolutely fearless.  He never backed down, kept getting back up.   I remember the teams they surrounded him, they just couldn’t score, so he did.

Recently, I realized why he possibly was so tough and fearless. And it occurred to me that he was imprisoned as a juvenile. Whether justified or not, I don’t know enough of the facts to comment adequately.

But I do have some inkling of what that experience was like. He had to survive.

After all that, playing basketball was just a nothing burger.

He was the real deal.

Didn’t, couldn’t back down.

From anyone.

It didn’t matter how big or tall they were – he took it to them.

Once upon a time, I played hockey with my church team.  So unathletic and overmatched but we made the playoffs.  We had only one guy who could score and he would maybe do 3 or 4. 

But I played goalie and would let in one fewer.  I’d be soaking wet at the end of the game but I dared anyone to come anywhere near my crease.