In exceptional form in the NBA, which sees them currently sit second in the Eastern Conference having won eight of their last 10 games, the Philadelphia 76ers have cemented their position as title contenders.

Possessing a fantastic team that includes two stars in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, plus the excellent Seth Curry, Tobias Harris, Dwight Howard and Danny Green, they’ve been a real force to be reckoned with.

With the likes of Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz, Tyrese Maxey, Mike Scott and Paul Reed offering good support off the bench, it’s been good to see them contribute too.

Having won 33 and lost 15 games, Doc Rivers’ excellently coached team have certainly been looking good, as he’s doing a tidy job of getting the best out of his team. Indeed, upon considering many key players had to sit out matches due to coronavirus and injury, this makes their record even more impressive.

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Boasting the second best defence and the 10th best offense in the NBA, there’s no doubting they are excellent on both sides of the court. One thing, though, that needs improving is their high turnover rate, as they rank a lowly 27th in the league. If they can keep possession better, this will immensely help them, for they won’t be exposed so badly in transition.

The recent addition of George Hill adds some vital extra quality and experience to the team in so many areas, something which Philadelphia’s president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, touched on aptly, saying: “A veteran, two-way guard who can shoot at a very high level and defend at a high level. One thing that Coach Rivers and Coach Burke can do right now is put five strong playoff-tested guys who can play both ends on the floor at one time if they want to do that, so we’re pretty excited about that.”

Priced at a decent $12 to take home the NBA crown, they’re rated as a decent outside chance by the bookmakers, which many would consider worth a bet.

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Although there’s still a long way to go in the season, if the 76ers can improve their offense, limit the turnovers and keep their stars fit, there’s every reason to suggest they’ll be legitimate candidates to be crowned champions come season’s end.