Coming off a week in which the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a home overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets and a blowout road loss to the Miami Heat, people are still questioning the validity of their 11-5 record. Naturally, after two losses the Sixers slid a bit in the major media outlets' NBA Power Rankings, but remain relatively high while everyone still tries to figure this team out.
John Schuhmann, NBA.com - 7th (4th in East)
The Sixers came back to earth a little last week, but they've still won nine straight with Spencer Hawes. They play 10 of their next 11 at home, and it could be a feast-then-famine stretch. It starts with the Wizards, Nets, Bobcats and Pistons. Then come the Magic, Bulls, Heat, Hawks, Lakers, Spurs and Clippers.
Tom Ziller, SB Nation - 4th (3rd in East)
The Sixers went 2-2 last week, but the losses -- a squeaker to the Nuggets, a road blowout to the Heat -- are forgivable. This remains a wildly good team with an easy-to-watch offense.
Chris Sheridan, Sheridan Hoops - 6th (4th in East)
Reality check with losses to Nuggets (in OT) and Heat (by 21)? Perhaps. But an easy week awaits them with four home games against bad team, with a very difficult week to follow. It includes rematch vs. Miami. FYI: LBJ is 16-1 career vs. Andre Iguodala. In Saturday night beatdown, Heat scored 26 more than Philly had been allowing (87). At 99.2 ppg, 76ers still third in the NBA in scoring.
John Hollinger, ESPN - 2nd (2nd in the East)
Marc Stein, ESPN - 5th (3rd in the East)
Villanova-ex Kyle Lowry looks like the early MIP favorite, but Spencer Hawes' growing importance to the Sixers is tangible even when he's not out there. Philly lost by 21 in Miami without its improving center (Achilles) after suffering its first four L's by only 17 points combined.
Composite: 4.8 (3.2 in East)
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0 recs | 3 comments
Interesting they’re still at 2 on Hollinger’s list. I tend to agree with around 7-10th best team in the league, 4th or so in the east.
Michael Levin - January 23, 2012
Power rankings are for who is hot at the moment, not necessarily the best team. The Sixers losses can all be explained by their injuries, primarily to Hawes, who made a big difference when he was healthy.
I’m not even going to worry about where the Sixers stack up against the best teams until I see them play those teams when they are healthy.
They’re definitely a playoff team, and good enough to get to the 2nd round in all likelihood. I could see them getting to the EC finals, but doubt that they could beat a healthy Miami under any circumstances.
RickoT - January 23, 2012
none are too far from reality, considering the factual record standings next to each writer’s interpretation. i think the sixers are who we thought they were, far better than the bottom half of the league, but a piece or two short of being able to knock off an elite in a seven game series. we will beat some of the leagues top teams this year and compete hard in the playoffs. this week… 5th (3rd in the east) is about correct.
J.Michael Woodson - January 23, 2012
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