U-Turn: 'Nova doesn't deserve a parade, this guy does

Congratulations to Philadelphia on achieving a major basketball milestone yesterday! It brought together all Philadelphians — and even former Tar Heel Michael Jordan humbly offered his congratulations.

I know. Some are saying there really shouldn't be a parade. But I disagree.

The nation will be watching, and there must be a Market Street march to celebrate.

You see, it's not every day that a 76er gets voted into the Hall of Fame.

Oh … you thought I was talking about the Villanova University Wildcats basketball team?

I guess what I said above could apply to them, but I'm talking about our own Allen Iverson, who, curiously enough, was given a slap on the behind at the announcement of this year's Basketball Hall of Fame class by the busy Jordan, who was also seen in the crowd at the Nova-Tar Heels final in Houston.

Iverson embodies the best of Philly's sport culture. He wasn't just a superstar athlete: He's part Rocky, part Will Smith and all heart. He's not without fault, but what beloved Philly sports figure is? Who can forget when he proudly said he would be a Sixer "until the day I die?" Who can forget the tears he shed when he broke down and said how happy he was to return to being a Sixer?

That's a Philadelphia icon.

Villanova is not.

It's not to say that Villanova doesn't deserve our admiration and respect. It does. Congratulations to an amazing team that had the storybook ending that every kid dreams of – winning the final game on a basket with no time left on the clock.

But Villanova is not Philadelphia. It's in Radnor Township, and is like a distant cousin to us. Can you imagine Philly having a parade for Rutgers University-Camden, even though they are geographically much closer than Villanova?

Not for a New York minute.

Yes, this city does thirst for a championship team again.

But as horrible as it is to say, if Villanova was a true Philly team, there wouldn't have been 6 people arrested last night – there would have been 60.

Congratulations, Villanova! But please party in your town unless you want to foot the bill. And if you do come here, please pay up front. Our leaders don't always keep their word.