So How About the 76ers?

[soap07]

Tied for the 6th spot in the East. Doug Collins did a real nice job out there in Philly without much talent  to work with. Brand has played well this year and Iguodala has shown more versatility than I ever remember him showing. The team will probably get swept out  in the first round - but I didn't expect them to make it to begin with.

[JSD]

Honestly, not too surprised:

Philly has got some good talent on that team and now a solid coach. I think they're the clear cut #2.

I don't think their talent has improved enough to jump to the number 2 spot in the division. They only won 27 games last year and I don't think Turner and the improvement of the young guys will make a 10+ game difference.

It's somewhat by default, but I think they'll end up with the #2 slot in the Atlantic. Even though they haven't added much talent, many would agree that Philly underachieved last season under Eddie Jordan and that trading Dalembert along with his inconsistent game and bad attitude is an addition by subtraction.

To me it's more about players performing up to their potential and knowing their role on the team.

I think they'll miss Dalembert. For all his inconsistent play he's still better than what they'll be trotting out there in the front court.

Spencer Hawes will surprise some people this season if he can get on the floor. I'm also interested in seeing that small lineup with Brand at the 5 and Young at the 4.

I don't see how their current roster can defend the paint in any way shape or form.

Alright... I'm not predicting much from the 76ers outside of finishing below .500, grabbing (at most) the 7th seed and beating out the Knicks by 2 or 3 games for the 2nd best record in the Atlantic.

[LB3533]

I felt like the Sixers were underachieving ever since Brand signed with them.

They started off this season really awful, albeit, losing some close games.

I think they are playing more to their potential, but they aren't really overachieving or doing anything special.

[Fafnir]

Its shocking that they've improved as much defensively as they have. Offensively they're pretty much the same as last year, but Collins has done a great job of taking them from the basement on defense.

Their SRS has them as the 13th team in the NBA, much better than the over-hyped Knicks.

[JSD]

Their SRS has them as the 13th team in the NBA, much better than the over-hyped Knicks.

Where did you get this information?

[Fafnir]

Their SRS has them as the 13th team in the NBA, much better than the over-hyped Knicks.

Where did you get this information?

basketball referrence

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2011.html

they're at 1.07 compared to .42 for the Knicks.

[fairweatherfan]

The Sixers were 3-13 and later 17-25.  They're 18-8 since that big hole.  Not a real contender or even a piece or two away from being one but Collins has them playing very well.  Allowing Iggy to make more plays was a very smart move.

[xmuscularghandix]

I'm impressed. They're actually even better than their record would indicate, that horrible start was just growing pains. Will lose in the 1st round but by next year they'll be on the same level as the Hawks.

[Fafnir]

I'm impressed. They're actually even better than their record would indicate, that horrible start was just growing pains. Will lose in the 1st round but by next year they'll be on the same level as the Hawks.

I doubt that, they don't have close to enough talent.

The Hawks are a mess right now, but I honestly place the blame on coaching at this point. I'm shocked at how much the trade for Hinrich has hurt their offense.

[Who]

I have been surprised by Phily's strong play this season.

(1) I didn't think Brand would be able to keep up this level of play for a whole season after his poor performances these past two years

(2) Plus ... I though,t and still think that, defensively, their big man rotation is abysmal (Hawes, Brand, Speights, Battie, Songaila + small ball lineups with T.Young without a defensive five alongside him) ... and that those flaws would make them a below average defensive team despite their considerable defensive talent on the perimeter ... but they have worked around that and been a far better defensive team than I expected.

So yeah, very impressed with what Phily have achieved so far this season. Hats off to them.

[Chris]

I'm impressed. They're actually even better than their record would indicate, that horrible start was just growing pains. Will lose in the 1st round but by next year they'll be on the same level as the Hawks.

I doubt that, they don't have close to enough talent.

The Hawks are a mess right now, but I honestly place the blame on coaching at this point. I'm shocked at how much the trade for Hinrich has hurt their offense.

Horford is just pouting, because they traded his buddy Bibby...

[LakersFan_33]

They're Ok. They have some good pieces in Iggy and Brand, and some good role players around them. I think they are slightly overachieving right now, but I may be wrong.

[BballTim]

Its shocking that they've improved as much defensively as they have. Offensively they're pretty much the same as last year, but Collins has done a great job of taking them from the basement on defense.

Their SRS has them as the 13th team in the NBA, much better than the over-hyped Knicks.

  They're 13th in SRS and the Knicks are 15th. There's about a 16 point spread between 1st and last, slightly over a half a point isn't a big difference.

[Jon]

They've played us tough all year.  They're just another reason why it's important to win the #1 seed.  Not that I don't think we could beat Philly or NY; however, playing the Pacers or Bobcats would make the first round much easier, especially if we're still trying to reintegrate the O'Neals with the new guys. 

Also, I think Elton Brand is yet another example of why it's premature to label a player's career "dead."  There were times over the past few years where many people more or less thought it was hurting the Sixers and would never be what he once was.  While I don't think he's quite what he was in LA, he's obviously proving he can be an effective starter still in the NBA. 

[Megatron]

76ers are legit, loaded with talent and athleticism and are well coached.

I could see them taking anyone to 6-7 games in the first round.