Philadelphia 76ers: 5 Reasons They Could Win the NBA Championship

Many people will scoff when they see the headline, but I think they have a solid chance of doing some damage in the playoffs.

The team has really come together and is making some serious noise in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia has been a non-factor recently in the Atlantic Division, but a new mindset and methodology to the way the 76ers approach the game has made this season better.

The 76ers started the season 5-18 and have climbed to 32-30 on the season. That puts them just a half-game behind the New York Knicks.

I don’t think they’ll win it all, but to say they don’t have a chance is incorrect.

5. Andre Iguodala

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action during the game against the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center on October 27, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Andre Iguodala has started to realize that he doesn’t need to shoot jumpers all day like he was before. He can be a dominant force at both ends of the court, and Iguodala can turn his defense into offense.

Iguodala is at his best when he plays like he has recently. In his last two games, he posted back-to-back triple-doubles (22 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists against Minnesota and 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Golden State Warriors).

The Sixers are a better team when Iguodala absorbs the double teams and moves the ball along to his teammates. When he moves the ball, it gets him open for shots.

4. Evolution of Evan Turner

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Evan Turner #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives on Trevor Ariza #1 of the New Orleans Hornets in the second half at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Evan Turner, the second overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, has found his niche coming off the bench and contributed a great performance on Sunday, March 6 with 20 points (eight in overtime), seven rebounds and three assists in a 125-117 win over Golden State.

"I think Evan is growing by leaps and bounds,” 76ers coach Doug Collins said. “He played with a lot of confidence."

The Sixers need the continued development of Evan Turner if they want to make a big splash in the playoffs.

3. Sixers Bench

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: Lou Williams #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action during the game against the Miami Heat at the Wells Fargo Center on October 27, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

While it seems necessary for every team in the NBA to have a big-time star, the 76ers' star player is their bench.

With players like Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner and all the rest, the Sixers have a deep group of players that don’t mind coming off the bench.

One of the most underrated aspects of the Sixers is the fact that they have several starter quality players on the bench every night, ready to try to prove to Collins that they should be in the game more.

The Sixers bench unit totaled a season-high 67 points. Philadelphia's substitutes are currently second in the NBA in scoring.

2. Defensive Mentality

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 27: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat tries to pass the ball through Andre Iguodala #9 and Lou Williams #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on October 27, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User e

The reason the Celtics, Lakers and the Spurs have had so much success recently is because of a strong defensive mentality with clutch scoring.

With a bench like the Sixers' and starters playing solid basketball, the scoring will be there.

The new-look Sixers will also play some hard defense when they have to. What they give up in size, they make up in defensive determination.

The small Sixers are 11th in rebounds and 10th in steals, and their defense has kept them in plenty of games they had no business in.

1. Doug Collins

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Doug Collins of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on November 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

The best thing that ever happened to the Sixers since they went to the 2001 Finals was the hiring of Head Coach and former Sixers player Doug Collins.

Collins is a good leader and a better coach. He took a team with no guidance and direction and turned them into a squad of players that respect him and buy into his schemes.

The defensive mentality had been missing from the Sixers, but Collins has infused that style back into the players and it has showed.

Coach Collins has been the lynchpin of this team, and he is the only one who can get the quality play out of these players.