2018-19 NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers end 2018 on sour note

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the new year after an up-and-down week, casting doubt over their ability to compete in April.

To put it simply, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ week hit excruciating lows and exhilarating highs. Against the Celtics on Christmas, Joel Embiid dropped 34 points in an overtime loss. Then, just a couple days later, the Sixers waltzed into Utah and walloped the Jazz. Then Sunday happened.

Without Embiid, the Sixers ended 2018 on a sour note, losing 129-95 to the Portland Trail Blazers, who were on the second night of a back-to-back. Both Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons struggled in the big man’s absence, which isn’t the best sign moving forward.

Depth remains an issue for the Sixers, so those two need to step up whenever Embiid sits or misses time. At their peaks, both Butler and Simmons are top-20 NBA players. Butler, in some minds, might crack the top 10. It’s hard to blame Brett Brown when the bench struggles and those two aren’t producing.

The Sixers remain competitive in the winnable Eastern Conference, especially with Boston (and more recently Toronto) hitting multiple bumps in the proverbial road. With that said, the Sixers are a clear tier below the Raptors, Bucks and Celtics. The Pacers might even hold an edge.

Hopefully the new year brings changes, as Elton Brand still has plenty of time to address the second unit via trade or free agency. Here’s where the Sixers stand among all 30 teams.