Philadelphia 76ers: 4 Players Who Need to Step Up in NBA Playoffs 2012

The Philadelphia 76ers may have lost Game 1 on Saturday but got a blessing in disguise when Chicago's Derrick Rose was injured late in the fourth quarter. The Bulls were up by double digits and Rose had no business being in the game at that point in the game. The Bulls coaches muffed, and the Sixers will now play the Bulls minus their MVP point guard.

They have a great chance to take advantage and win this series, but they will need to play their "A game" to do so.

Here are four players who need to step up in the playoffs.

Louis Williams

Louis Williams would be the leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year this season if James Harden weren't having a great year for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"Sweet Lou" has been the Sixers' steady rock this season, pulling in 14 points a game off the bench. That production alone would make him a starter on most other NBA teams, but he has found a home in Philly.

Lou never got going in Game 1 and will need to be the best player he can be if the Sixers want to pull this series out.

Elton Brand

Elton Brand may be having one of his worst statistical seasons of his 12-year NBA career, but that doesn't mean he can't turn it on if he has to.

He led the Sixers in scoring during the loss on Saturday but contributed much to the defensive end with four blocks. He will need to step up his scoring and defensive while bringing back the "Elton Brand of Old."

EB can and should get 20 and 10 this series for the Sixers to be dominant.

Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala is one of the rare players in the NBA who can do it all. He can score, defend and is athletically gifted enough to do anything his coaches ask him to. He has been compared to Scottie Pippen for his versatility.

However, for the him to advance past the first round of the playoffs—something he has never done in his career—he will need to bring his all-around game. He doesn't need to score the most points but simply just clean up where his teammates need him to.

Iggy should be a 15-5-5 player for the Sixers to win this series (add in a few blocks and steals to that stat line as well).

Jodie Meeks

Jodie Meeks can be the "X-factor" to this series. He was a non-factor in Game 1 and there is conversation of him being benched for Evan Turner in the starting lineup.

Meeks is most effective as a spot-up shooter where he can hit multiple threes in a game. If Meek's potential as a three point shooter is realized (as in he hits three to four per game at minimum), the Sixers' chances of winning this series has gone up by a whole lot.

Meeks has to put up points; otherwise, the Sixers may have an early summer vacation.