Had this conversation last night at a Boston gym:

Guy: "Is Game Seven tomorrow?"

Nah, Saturday.

Guy: "Rondo needs to play better."

Yeah.

That's called assimilating yourself with the locals. I've crossed enemy lines. I've earned their trust. I've even gone so far as to create an alter ego on CelticsBlog under the handle, Where is Dino Radja? He's a thirty-something Celtics and Bruins die-hard, whose "had C's seasons since '98" and always wears his Dee Brown road jersey for big games. He hates Philly fans and Joey Crawford.

Now, much has been made up here about the Celtics all-time record in Game 7's at home (17-4). But it's really just an interesting footnote. It has no bearing here in 2012. Dave Cowens won't be setting screens tomorrow night, Bill Russell won't be patrolling the paint, and, I promise you, John Havlicek won't be stealing the damn ball. And besides, Garden Shmarden. The Sixers walked right into Boston for Game 7 of the 1982 Eastern Conference Finals, and absolutely thumped the Celtics on the shoulders of the "The Boston Strangler," Andrew Toney.

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The above statement may seem "Well, Duh" to the average passersby, but for the few of you who've hung around for awhile, you know that it's more than that. While the big NBA to-do this year was tanking, I've been driving the tankwagon for a few years now and the idea of NOT rooting for the Sixers to lose has become somewhat foreign to me, sad as it seems. Maybe it's some combination of youth, new-age optimism and immovable mediocrity, but I've become desensitized to watching the Sixers lose.

But with seven games already in the win column for these postseason Sixers, something has happened to me -- I've become fully invested in the success of this team for the first time in 5 years. And I really -- really! -- want them to win this game.

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There's a lot of questions surrounding Jrue Holiday. He's been dubbed the franchise point guard despite the fact that Andre Iguodala, Evan Turner, and Louis Williams take a ton of his point guard duties from him. A lot of that is on Doug Collins, but the bottom line is Jrue has been entirely inconsistent during his career and didn't play nearly as well this season as all of us were hoping he would.

But in the playoffs, not only has he been the Sixers best player, but he's been given the role of their best player as well. He's played and performed in valuable crunch time minutes, doing all the things we were hoping he would do all season long.

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Lurk´er
n. 1. One who lurks.
2. A small fishing boat.

Our Philadelphia 76ers are one game away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, for the first time since 2001. Liberty Ballers is almost four years old, and the community has never been more poppin' (or poopin'). There are over 2,500 registered users and thousands of people visit the site on a daily basis.

Yet, even with the amount of registered users and daily visitors, only a small percentage engage in the shenanigans that go on in the comment section.

I have a challenge for all you lurkers out there – whether you're 'one who lurks', or 'a small fishing boat'. I kindly invite you to introduce yourselves to the wonderful community here at Liberty Ballers. Even if you're shy, and not too into the internet-commenting game, at the very least introduce yourself, to which you will be treated with a warm welcome – much like anyone who stands next to Michael Levin in the shallow end of the pool.

I promise no one bites (we banned all who have). Whether you're the most knowledgeable fan out there, or someone who recently found out that a basketball is round, you will be treated with the utmost respect.

Reading the blog is great, and we thank everyone who does, but building online (and sometimes real life) relationships with the community of Sixers fans we have here is a fun experience. Just think of all the Dong and inside jokes you've been missing out on!

(Also, even if you're a long-time commenter, feel free to re-introduce yourself, to make things less awkward when LeQuan Glover attempts to infiltrate the system under a new alias).

I'll start: My name is Jordan. I'm 23. I just graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor's Degree in business. The Sixers are my favorite basketball team, but many are very displeased to find out I am also a Houston Astros and Dallas Cowboys fan. My response. I was born and raised in Las Vegas and work out way too much. You can find me on Twitter, right here.

Game 7, let's go!

The Philadelphia 76ers are one win away from the Eastern Conference Finals. Think about how crazy that is for a second, then read on.

They will be playing in their 13th post-season game of the season on Saturday – the most they've played since their Finals run in 2001. Saturday also happens to be the first game seven this team will play in since 2001.

For perspective, the last time the Sixers made it this far in the NBA Playoffs: Jrue Holdiay hadn't even started middle school yet, Evan Turner desperately needed braces, Tony Battie played for the Celtics, and Andre Iguodala made zero percent of his free throws because he had no son to think about yet.

After the blazing 20-9 start, the Sixers reportedly quit on Doug Collins, and played some of the worst basketball in the NBA after the All-Star break. Yet somehow we're here – one win away from playing the suddenly vulnerable Miami Heat or the superstar-less Indiana Pacers, with a shot of making the NBA Finals.

But I'm getting ahead of myself – game seven will be no easy task. The Celtics will be fully rested after three days off, and undoubtedly have both the crowd, and the whistles in their favor – whether anyone wants to admit it or not.

However; don't let the external circumstances interfere with how special this experience will be. Game sevens are awesome – two teams on the brink of elimination, with one experiencing the sheer ecstasy of winning, when it's all said and done.

As the cliche goes, "anything can happen". I can't wait to see what speech Doug Collins gives pre-game, because he's already played his "Sixers Play Together" and "One Time" cards. Whatever he happens to say, you know we'll have you covered here in the coming days – along with a lot of other 'Sixers Be Crazy' shenanigans.

We have three full days to come to a complete crescendo of game-seveness! In the meantime, vote in the poll, share your thoughts – even predictions – with the community, and – I hate to go all Adam Aron on you – but get ready for the biggest Sixers game in over a decade.

Let's do this!

It was a night that from the beginning was predestined to be one that belonged to the Philadelphia 76ers and their fans. New CEO Adam Aron welcomed back on the most beloved athletes in Philadelphia history, flying in former Sixer superstar Allen Iverson to be in attendance for the Sixers' 82-75 game six victory over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Right before tip-off Iverson's name blared through the speakers, fans screaming his name, as he handed the game ball to referee Joey Crawford. As Iverson began to hug the players on the current Sixers roster (Evan Turner's demeanor was that of a kid meeting his childhood hero, it was so cute), visibly tearing up, something inside of me said that the Sixers would win this one and a Game Seven would be just around the corner. I was always told to go with my gut instinct, and tonight was no different as the Sixers defended and attacked their way to a seven point victory.

We saw the good Sixers we all love to embrace in the first quarter as they were utilizing ball movement, getting out in transition, and most gorgeous of all, attacking the rim. The last of those efforts was lead by point guard Jrue Holiday who was in beast mode for the majority of this game. All season we wanted Jrue to stay away from the long-two and get to the bucket and tonight was the epitome of those wishes coming true. Once he got the cup a couple times in the first quarter, it looked like Holiday's confidence sky-rocketed and he felt he could take anybody to the basket, which he did.

We've seen the Sixers do well in spurts in just about every game this series, but the main worry was if they could withstand the inevitable stretch where points are near impossible to come by. Tonight's rendition came in the second quarter when the Sixers went through an 0-9 slide, giving away 4 turnovers as well (for those keeping score at home, that's 13 straight scoreless possessions). While it certainly didn't help the Sixers' chances of coming away with a win (although that would be impressive), they saw themselves down by just 3 points at the half and even that was because of a last second Mikael Pietrus triple.

More after the jump.

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It wasn't the prettiest of games but the Sixers were able to get to the basket and defend the Celtics enough to take Game 6 at home.

The Sixers absolutely dominated the Celtics in the paint, lead by everybody's favorite California boy, Jrue Holiday who was making a living in the paint all night long.

Despite the missed free throws, at times extremely stagnant offense, and a few too many careless turnovers, the Sixers remained tenacious enough to not allow the veteran Celtics to clinch the series in Philadelphia.

Game 7 is in Boston on Saturday, the time still to be determined. The biggest game of many of these players' careers awaits. As Wiz Khalifa says, "the bigger the bill, the harder you ball".

Use this as time to celebrate a victory and organize plans to watch Game 7 together in Jordan's basement (just remember to do your homework before you go). Those Sixers Be Crazy. I believe Mike has this trademarked, correct?

There has yet to be a game this season that could have theoretically been the Sixers' last. Tonight, we break that trend and bring to you the first true "Win or Go Home" Philadelphia 76er spectacular extravaganza.

Allen Iverson (and Tyronn Lue) will be in the house tonight (well, we think). I'm only assuming Kevin Garnett will get booed like he's crashing a ghost wedding reception. Brandon Bass will most likely be wide open the entire game.

If you've never gotten yourself pumped up for a Sixer game this year, I suggest tonight be your first because it could be your last chance. And who knows, maybe your enthusiasm is just the spark that these guys need. Lock all your windows and doors, get your garbage handy so you can turn it into gold, and have some spare buckets to catch the blood that Mike will more than likely lose. Tonight is Game Six and like Kevin O'Shea said, it's do or die, win or cry.

ESPN. 8:00 PM. LET'S. GO. SIXERS!