NBA 2018-19: Eastern Conference Power Rankings Week 9

#3 Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid

Philadelphia (19-11) are a mixed team. I've never known a team with guards who can't shoot and yet considers itself a title contender. Fultz is out of the picture for this season's future, and Simmons has filled the point guard space beautifully, but Boston exploited these glaring weaknesses in last season's playoff match up.

Jimmy Butler's addition to the team gives them a prime, elite perimeter defender to handle the opposition's primary offensive weapon, since Philly gives up 112 pts every game (good for 23rd in the league).

Butler also gives Philly the addition edge that the young team might have not have had before, and he has certainly taken pains to assimilate with Philly's culture since his transfer.

Philadelphia has good offensive weapons, averaging a cool 113 ppg with the 7th best offense in the NBA, and Butler addition (19.7 points, 46% 3PT shooting) certainly gives the Sixers a breather in the shooting department.

Even though Philly lost its most recent game against the Pacers (113-101), it was due to an offensive slump in the third, where the Sixers blew a 10 point halftime lead in the third quarter.

This Sixers team has ups and downs, but there's definitely more upside than downside.