Can the Sixers Still Make The Playoffs?

Since Allen Iverson’s first reappearance in a Sixer uniform on December 7^th, they’ve gone a mediocre 12-16 (.420) as opposed to the tragic 5-20 (.250) record they had previously.

Riding their current four game win streak, their longest since March 2008, they find themselves in possession of the Eastern Conference’s 10th seed, five seeds higher than they were a week ago.

Still the title question is one no one seems to have a definitive answer for, and for good reason.

Outside of the Eastern Conference’s top four, the standings are as fluid as jelly. All that separates 14th seed Washington and 6th seed Chicago is seven games.

By contrast, every Western Conference team lower than the 11th seed is currently no less than seven games out of playoff reach altogether.

Though the overall weakness of the Eastern Conference has opened the door for the Sixers, the question is how do they plan to move forward? The Sixers have come up on multiple occasions as potential suitors for Tracy McGrady and Amar’e Stoudemire, but rumor has it that the Rockets’ asking price (Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert) for McGrady was much too high and Amar’e has expressed contentment with his current situation in Phoenix.

Ultimately, it appears unlikely that either McGrady or Stoudemire joins the Sixers, but given the inconsistent production of their current players, the Sixers may have questions to answer for if they don’t.

Dalembert has certainly stepped up his play of late, particularly rebounding, where he ranks 13th at 9.8 rbg, but he is still a reasonable price to pay to acquire a player of Stoudemire's caliber. Iguodala, the Sixers' team captain, who's led the team in scoring for the last three seasons, isn't.

Keeping the Sixers' current roster intact appears to be enough in maintaining the status quo and competing for a lower playoff seed, but without a major acquisition its unlikely that the Sixers accomplish anything else.