Did the Sixers recently choke in the playoffs against the Knicks?

There was enough chatter that the Sixers should have beaten the Knicks behind Joel Embiid. Instead, the Knicks rallied and continue to evolve as the one of the best stories in years.

On the other hand, Embiid and his team will be viewed as a failure to make a championship run.

So, did the Sixers choke?

In the week’s version of my Yesterday column – reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond – I’ll take a look at some more recognized Philly “chokes,” as well as some pop culture items that didn’t quite make it.

Also, do you remember Kmart submarine sandwiches, or Pizza Hut salad bars? Did you ever use a wood-burning craft set, and who used the “cobra clutch?”

The 59-year gap ... Phillies fans all know too well about “chokes,” as there is still some sting left from their playoff loss last year to Arizona. If you recall, the Phils won the first two games of the series in rather commanding fashion before Arizona battled back to win two of the next three.

The Phillies were then stunned at home, as Arizona captured the final two games of the series to punch its World Series ticket.

We all know about the fabled 1964 Phillies collapse when they lost 10 of their last 12 and finished in a second-place tie with the Reds after they blew a 6 1/2 game lead.

Some may have forgotten that the NL winning Cardinals were 11 games out with 39 games left. Lou Brock came over in a June 15 trade, and the Cardinals were in fifth place on Aug. 16. They won 31 of their next 45 games to take the top spot.

So Close, Yet ... How many of you remember the 1981 Phillies’ alleged collapse against the Expos in the divisional series?

The Phils rallied from a 2-0 deficit in Montreal and took the next two at the Vet, winning Game 4 5-4 in 10 innings. Steve Carlton was set to take the mound for Game 5, and all signs pointed to the Phils getting back to the World Series.

Philly was burned by a two-run single from Expos starter Steve Rodgers, and they wasted numerous scoring opportunities.

There also was a 2010 loss to the Giants in six games of the NLCS, Back then, the Phils had the “H2O” rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Roy Oswalt paired with a lethal lineup. It looked certain the Phillies would win their second World Series in three years.

The Phils hit .218 as a team with three homers and 18 RBIs. Ryan Howard hit .318, but he didn’t have any homers and finished with zero RBIs. Their staff did have a 2.91 ERA.

Flying Low ... On May 24, it will be 44 years since the Flyers lost to the Islanders in Game 6 of the 1980 Stanley Cup Finals on the controversial non-offsides call of New York’s Duane Sutter, who scored to give his team a 2-1 lead.

That really wasn’t a “choke” game, but it does still stay in the minds of Flyers’ fans.

However, you can cite a number of Flyers’ debacles beginning in 2000. In that year, the Orange and Black had the momentum of a 3-1 lead over New Jersey only to lose the series. Unfortunately, they followed a nearly identical script against Tampa Bay in 2004.

You can also add the 1987 Stanley Cup Playoffs against Edmonton, another series in which they squandered a 3-1 lead. I was at a few of those games, and the Spectrum felt like it shook a few times.

In 1997, the Flyboys were shockingly swept by Detroit, a series then head coach Terry Murray called a “choking situation.” It certainly was as the Flyers really were never in it.

Go back to the Flyers’ inaugural season 1967-68, and they were favored to win over the fellow expansion St. Louis Blues. It was a true back-and-forth seven-game series until the Flyers were listless in a 3-1 Game 7 loss at the Spectrum.

Green Gags ... In Eagles’ history, the 2003 27-10 loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship Game may be the biggest team gag.

But you can also list the 20-10 “Fog Bowl” bow out to the Bears; the 20-10 gaff to the Giants in 2001 divisional playoffs; a 27-24 slip to the Saints in 2006 NFC Championship Game; and a 32-25 clunker to the Cardinals in the 2009 NFC Championship Game.

There were plenty of Eagles’ fans that thought the Birds would rout the Cardinals again like they previously did on Thanksgiving evening.

Did You Ever Have One or Visit? ... Back in the day, I can remember going to Kmart and seeing their famed “submarine sandwiches.” They had the typical look and were wrapped tightly in plastic. I remember them being in the range of two-for-a-dollar.

Of course, I had to try them. However, I can’t recall any positive or negative feelings about them.

Did you remember Stop N’ Go Hamburgers? There was one close to my grandmother’s house in Phillipsburg, NJ, and I had to go there because of the green and red lights. Would welcome to hear if anyone else visited one.

How about Pizza Hut’s salad bars? I had my share of them. Or how about Wendy’s chili? I thought they usually turned out a good batch.

House Sale ... In 1978, “Animal House” took the country by storm, and we all have our memories.

ABC-TV launched “Delta House,” an offshoot of the film that included many of the characters expect John Belushi. The TV script basically followed the film.

However, the show lasted only 13 episodes before it was canceled.

Another Classic Game ... This time around, we’re stepping away from the sports end and delving into the toy realm. How many of you had a wood-burning craft set in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s?

I never had a wood-burning set, but I knew of a friend who burned his hand with one. There also was a candle-making kit in the early 70s in which you had to melt wax on the stove.

Both products eventually disappeared due to safety reasons.

WWF (WWE) Wrap ... Do you remember the choke hold, “The Cobra Clutch?”

Sgt. Slaughter, who came into the WWF in 1980, made the hold famous. And Slaughter offered any wrestler $5,000 to break it.

An ex-Marine, Slaughter began as a “good” guy, but he later became a “bad” guy. Slaughter had legendary battles with the Iron Sheik in steel-cage and bootcamp matches, and he left the WWF over a dispute of his toy figure.

Slaughter returned to the WWF/WWE in 1990 and his won his lone world title at the Royal Rumble in 1991. But at Summer Slam that same year, Slaughter turned into a villain.

He retired in 1992 and was named to the WWF/WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

Memory Lane ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, coach, manager, or media personality from the past.

Do you remember Eagles’ running back Harry Jones? He was the team’s first-round pick and 19th overall from Arkansas in the 1967 draft. Jones, who began as a defensive back, was converted to a running back and averaged 7.7 yards per carry.

Unfortunately, Jones’ career was saddled with injuries, he only appeared in 29 games with 85 yards on 44 carries in four seasons. He passed away at the age of 71 in 1986.

A final thought ... I recently again watched the YouTube video of Kate Smith signing “God Bless America” before Game 6 of 1973-74 finals against the Bruins. It still gives me goosebumps.

Feedback ... Your comments, thoughts, and ideas are always welcome at tnsports@tnonline.com.

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