Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry has recently admitted that one of the most satisfying moments of last season's historic run was being able to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the playoffs.

According to the five-time All-Star, being a Philly native himself provided a bit of motivation, but at the end of the day, it was all about taking the next step towards the ultimate goal of winning a championship.

“I just wanted to beat them so that I could come home and do this, and be able to be comfortable,” said Lowry, via Michael Lee of The Athletic. “[Former Raptors guard and Philadelphia native] Alvin Williams told me he couldn’t stand the city because he lost to them in the playoffs [in 2001]. Not that he couldn’t stand it, but they always had something on him. And they ain’t got nothing on me right me now.

“I respect the city, I love the city, I love everything about it. They ‘fuck you, die slow’ fans. But it’s home, though. I don’t throw anything in anybody’s face. That’s why you don’t see any Twitter rants, or Instagram rants. Y’all can say what y’all want. I never respond to people. People are still going to be negative. At the end of the day, people are still going to be negative. All I do is, I won it. I got a championship.”

Lowry went on to say that regardless of the situation, the city of Philadelphia will always hold a special place in his heart. As a matter of fact, one of the first things that entered his mind when they won the title was how he would love to share the experience with his home town.

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“When I won it, that was the first thing I said, ‘I’m taking it to the hood. I’m taking it to where everybody can see how I grew up, the way I grew up,’ ” Lowry said. “I wanted them to touch it…The hard work, the perseverance. Be in the gyms late nights, early mornings, working out, this is why you do it, this is why you work so hard.”

Lowry was born and raised in Philadelphia, and as made evident by his statements above, regardless of where his career takes him, Philly will forever be his home.