We're Coming Orlando!

Marc Stein at ESPN campaigns for the Sixers’ resurgence:

This week's big developments are San Antonio swiping No. 2 from Phoenix and Philadelphia -- yes, Philly -- using a seven-game win streak and widespread struggles for teams in the 12-to-24 range to make an unexpected leap into the top half of the rankings.

Top half? In his actual rankings he goads the Sixers into the play-offs!

Of course, he is about a month behind in his observations of a 76er resurgence. Still, are the Sixers really in the top half of the League now?

This seven game winning streak could be considered a little duplicitous- achieved entirely at home (even bad teams in the NBA win most of their home games) and one trip to a disastrous Indiana situation. But it has two elements of relevance: the sheer length of consistent play and an outright win over Phoenix.

All these home games have certainly helped. And much like the Philadelphia Eagles fueled their late season run by finally being able to exploit the growing maturity and better health of their young roster, the Sixers are cashing a lot of similar drafts. Cheeks has also really shortened the rotation- only Korver and Smith really play now off the bench. You can’t play a whole season like that. But you can for two months or so- provided your rotation is generally healthy and the guys being asked to play 40 plus minutes night after night are pretty young: Iguodala and Dalembert. I suppose veteran Andre Miller is being asked to dig deep too- as Kevin Ollie has essentially disappeared- but the guy is both a warrior and a vet who knows when to use and save his legs.

For at least a little while, shortening the bench, a healthy top seven, and putting the pedal to the mat in terms of playing time has solved the Sixers chronic lack of quality NBA depth problem. Again, I don’t think this is a sustainable approach for a whole season- but for now, add some home games- and it is no surprise the Sixers have this surge. And yes, in a weak Eastern Conference, any team that plays well night after night within its capacity is a play-off style unit.

This week will go a long way to determining whether the play-offs are even a possiblity. It won't take much for the Sixers to lose touch being four back with about twenty to play- and a slate of @ Atlanta, Chicago and Utah- could undo a lot of good work real quick.