NBA Pretenders or Contenders: Philadelphia 76ers
ORTG: 111.0 (13th)
DRTG: 107.4 (4th)
NetRTG: 3.6 (7th)
Through a little more than the first quarter of the season, the Philadelphia 76ers have the best record in the NBA and appear to have a different swagger to them this season. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid seem to like playing with each other and Seth Curry and Danny Green have been great fits on the perimeter.
With Daryl Morey calling the shots in the front office, I’m sure there’s a move or two to be made at the NBA Trade Deadline, and love where this team is heading. If this team can remain healthy, there’s nothing stopping them from winning homecourt advantage through the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
Maybe it’s that I’m giving Doc Rivers too much respect, but I believe in the culture shift that has taken place in this locker room. Barring injury, Joel Embiid is going to win the NBA MVP award and could potentially lead this team to the NBA Finals as an encore.
Verdict: Contenders