2017-18 NBA Regular Season: 10 pleasant surprises

#4 The Process marching towards its logical end

Joel 'The Process' Embiid

The Process, as former GM Sam Hinkie infamously put it, has neared completion for the Philadelphia 76ers.

After four seasons down in the doldrums of the lottery, the 76ers find themselves in the 3rd spot with just 2 games left to play, and they might just nab it provided they take their ongoing 14-game winning streak to 16 against the Bucks in their final match of the season.

Their starting five of Ben Simmons, JJ Reddick, Robert Covington, Dario Saric and Joel Embiid is as fearsome a starting five as any in the league (with the exception of the Golden State Warriors).

All five score well above double digits per game and Robert Covington is one of the premier perimeter defenders in the league today (it was his defense that caused LeBron James to net 9 turnovers in the 76ers' 132-130 win over the Cavs).

With some wheeling and astute dealing, Bryan Colangelo has added to the weak Philadelphia bench through the course of the season, as they now have TJ McConnell, Amir Johnson, Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova to call upon when their starters take a breather.

Since his comeback, Markelle Fultz has been a dynamic presence off the Sixers' bench, and his role could grow in the playoffs given his ability to score in a variety of ways.

Expect the 76ers to be a match for any team in the Eastern Conference playoffs this season.