Liberty Ballers

First place in the Atlantic Division, fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and the sixth best record in the NBA – people are starting to notice the Philadelphia 76ers. We're only seven games into the abbreviated NBA regular season and the Sixers haven't played much competition outside of the Blazers in Portland on opening night – where they lost – but you can't argue with first in offensive efficiency AND defensive efficiency – not to mention a league-leading 15.3 point differential.

See where the Sixers sit in some major media power rankings after the jump.

Marc Stein, ESPN - 7th (4th in the East)

Who had the Sixers, starting the season with five straight road games, ranking up there with Miami as the only two teams with a double-digit nightly point differential (+15.3) so far? More good-looking lopsided numbers: Philly plays 16 of its next 20 games at home.

John Schuhmann, NBA.com - 7th (3rd in East)

Raise your hand if you had the Sixers leading the league in offensive or defensive efficiency after 15 days. We'll see where they are after a back-to-back-to-back that starts Monday and includes two big Eastern Conference playoff-position games against the Pacers (at home) and Knicks (in New York).

Tom Ziller, SB Nation - 6th (4th in East)

Philly's strength of schedule dropped precipitously this week, but the club is blowing out opponents (average margin of +15) and has done well on the road. This team could very well win the Atlantic.

Chris Sheridan, Sheridan Hoops - 5th (3rd in East)

After finally playing their home opener Friday night on the 13th day of the season (!), they are now in a stretch in which they will play 18 of 22 at home. Lead league in point differential (15.3) and have No. 1 defense (85.6 pts allowed). Andre Iguodala says he is on the final 18 list for Team USA's 2012 Olympic team.

Composite: 6.25 (3.5 in East)