The Sixer Sense
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NBA power rankings: Are the Sixers contenders right now?

By Christopher Kline

Joel Embiid, Sixers (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid, Sixers (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

We have completed the first full week of the NBA season. As the competitive landscape begins to take shape, the NBA fandom has been inundated with fascinating developments and key new storylines. For the Sixers in particular, it has been a season of promising highs and disturbing lows.

With most teams playing somewhere in the range of 4-5 games, we can officially embark on our first power rankings of the 2021-22 season. The question is, of course, where do the Sixers rank after such a rocky opening stretch?

NBA power rankings — Rockets, Magic, Thunder

  • 30. Houston Rockets (1-4)

The Rockets have leaned fully into the rebuild. Jalen Green is an explosive and exciting talent, but he has been extremely inconsistent to begin his career. That’s to be expected with rookie guards. Without much veteran talent to steady the ship, Houston will suffer its share of blowout losses this year. The focus is entirely on the future.

  • 29. Orlando Magic (1-4)

Orlando is also in the beginning stages of a rebuild. With Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz on the bench — arguably the Magic’s two best players — this season has started on predictably uneven terrain, with the Orlando offense struggling to find the necessary playmaking juice to overcome poor spacing. There have been promising moments from Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba, and Franz Wagner, but don’t expect too many wins this season.

  • 28. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-4)

OKC only rises this high because of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is cementing his status as a top-30 player and one of the most exciting under-24 stars in the NBA. Gilgeous-Alexander moved heaven and earth to nab a win over the Lakers, and Josh Giddey looks well ahead of most rookies. Even so, there’s just not enough talent or experience elsewhere on the roster to raise expectations very high.