Sixers Debut at No. 4 in ESPN’s NBA Power Rankings

As expected, the Philadelphia 76ers were ranked as one of the top teams in the NBA in ESPN’s first NBA Power Rankings for the 2018-19 season.

Philadelphia didn't make the big splash its fan base might have hoped for -- either on the court (no LeBron, Paul George or Kawhi) or in the front office. And, yet, much like Boston, the 76ers are still well positioned to be a conference front-runner with only minor tweaks. The Sixers brought back JJ Redick, traded for Wilson Chandler and added a pair of first-rounders in Zhaire Smith and Landry Shamet. Joel Embiid will certainly believe his team is the East favorite.

After a surprising 52-win season, that saw them advance to the second-round of the playoffs, the Sixers have one of the best young rosters in the league.  The team won't surprise teams this season, and are now being looked at as one of the favorites in the league, as one of the top teams in the eastern conference.

The top five teams were ranked - Warriors, Celtics, Rockets, 76ers and Raptors in that order.