The Sixer Sense
Fansided

2019-20 NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers stumble, get back up

By Christopher Kline

Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid, Al Horford, Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Josh Richardson, Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid, Al Horford, Ben Simmons | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Previous: . Chicago Bulls. 24. team. 24. . 4-10

The Bulls are a mess, which is disappointing considering the talent on the roster. In theory, the starting five is playoff-caliber. Thaddeus Young has the make-up of an elite sixth man, not to mention an important defensive cornerstone in crunch time. But the Bulls haven’t made it work.

Wendell Carter Jr. has shined as a future star, and Zach LaVine continues to get buckets. Even Otto Porter has turned it around after a slow start. On the other side of that coin, Lauri Markkanen has been deeply disappointing despite a tantalizing skill set.

team. 125. . 4-9. Previous: . Atlanta Hawks. 23

Injuries (and suspensions) have been unkind to Atlanta, leaving Trae Young to do an inordinate amount of heavy-lifting. The 20-year-old has lived up to it, and he looks on the verge of his first All-Star appearance. He’s actively justifying the Hawks’ controversial draft-night trade.

It’s Trae and Trae alone who elevates Atlanta to this spot.

5-8. Previous: . Memphis Grizzlies. 22. team. 211.

Ja Morant is a stud, and the Grizzlies have a quietly fun roster. Brandon Clarke looks like an early All-Rookie contender, and Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to progress as a multi-faceted anchor in the middle. Memphis won’t do anything in the West this season, but it’s a promising group.