76ers - Contender or Pretender?

Lately all the basketball talk has been about the Knicks' point guard Jeremy Lin. How about we talked about the team leading the Atlantic division, 6.5 games ahead of the Knicks, The Philadelphia 76ers.

Doug Collins took over this team a year ago. In 2010-11 they started 3-13, then played well the rest of the season to make the playoffs and lose to the Heat in the first round. This year, they are 20-9, 3rd in the Eastern Conference.

Led by veteran swingman Andre Iguodala, the Sixers are playing team basketball. Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young help give the Sixers one of the best benches in the NBA.

Many experts had believed the Sixers got off to a hot start due to an easy schedule.

The Sixers have beaten the Bulls, Hawks, Lakers, Magic and Pacers this season. All of these teams are currently in the playoffs.

I'm not saying the Sixers are ready to hoist an NBA title, but I do think they are one of the Eastern Conference's best teams.

The Sixers' future lies on the shoulders of young point guard Jrue Holiday. He has the potential to be a superstar.