Philadelphia 76ers: 5 Reasons Why the 76ers Have Improved This Season

After 17 games into the 2011-12 NBA season, the Philadelphia 76ers are 12-5, leaders of the Atlantic Division and currently hold the third seed in the Eastern Conference.

Not bad at all for a team which ended last season on a losing streak to finish 41-41 and without a winning record since 2004-05.

In fact, it is their best start since going 10-0 and reaching the NBA Finals in 2000-01 under Larry Brown and Allen Iverson.

There are several factors for their early success, and here are five reasons why the Philadelphia 76ers have improved this season.

Home-Court Advantage

One of the reasons why the Sixers have improved so much this season is because they have been taking care of business at home. They have excelled at the Wells Fargo Center, compiling an 8-1 record at home—this despite their home attendance, which ranks near the very bottom of the league.

If the Sixers can keep this up and get a high seed going into the playoffs, home-court advantage may play a huge role in their success this season.

Stellar Defensive Play

Probably the biggest reason for the Sixers' improved play has been their defense, particularly in the second half of games. It has improved greatly from last season, when they started the year 3-13 and couldn't stop anybody.

This year's edition is currently second in the NBA in terms of points allowed at 88 points per game (Chicago Bulls are first at 85.8 points per game).

On an offensive note, they have also been crushing their opponents, with seven of their wins coming by 20 or more points. Taking care of business on this side of the floor will pay huge dividends for the club in the future.

Rise of Evan Turner

In what has turned out to be a make-or-break year for second-year player Evan Turner, he is definitely showing fans and the NBA what he really is all about. In 16 games, he is averaging 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game (all while shooting a decent 46 percent from the field in 26 minutes per contest).

He is more assertive this season, driving to the basket more and taking his shot while also being relentless on the defensive end. The ascension from the second overall pick of the 2010 NBA draft will be vital to the Sixers' success this season.

Reliable Bench Play

It can be said that the Sixers are a team without any superstars (despite Elton Brand's All-Star appearances with the Los Angeles Clippers and Andre Iguodala's max deal in 2008), but regardless, they rely heavily on production from all the guys on the team.

Nowhere else is this more evident than their bench play, with Lou Williams scoring 15.5 points per game off the bench. With Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner and Nikola Vucevic, they have one of the best benches in the NBA, and this gives them a solid edge against other teams.

Rise of Spencer Hawes

Recently slowed by back and Achilles problems, Spencer Hawes has only appeared in 12 of the 17 contests the Sixers have played in this season.

However, despite his limited action, he has been very productive during the time he has been on the court, putting up career numbers (10.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks at an alarming 58 percent shooting).

He is the only real big man on the team and will need to be healthy when the Sixers play important games this season.