Power Ranking 8 teams under more or less pressure than the Miami Heat to win a championship
By Brennan Sims
6. Philadelphia 76ers
36-29
2.6 NetRtg
Joel Embiid was on a completely different level when he was available. The Sixers are 10-20 without the reigning MVP. They were 26-8 with him, maintaining the ninth-best defense. That number has plummeted to 24th since Embiid went down on January 30th.
Without their versatile paint beast, the 6ers have no shot to do anything come playoff time. Tyrese Maxey has shown he can carry a heavier workload with the departure of James Harden.
He will win Most Improved even though guys like Coby White, Jalen Johnson, and Duncan Robinson have improved their games more than him. The additions of Buddy Hield and Kyle Lowry would look better with the big man in the middle. They'd play off him and get some of the most open shots they've seen.
Philadelphia is poised to make noise next year. You never want to waste a year of a superstar's prime, but Embiid is hurt. They should not rush him back with only a sliver of a chance to make the Finals. With their upcoming cap space, they should have a star in mind to pair with Maxey and Embiid.