All the talk during this offseason has been about how the Eastern Conference is a two-team race, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks sitting head and shoulders above the pack. The Philadelphia 76ers quietly loom as a threat to challenge that belief.
Those out there whose gut reaction to dismiss the 76ers have more than enough justification in that stance. History has suggested they are a tough team to reliably trust. That is especially true when it comes to the NBA Playoffs.
However, by that same logic, the Cavaliers could also be quickly dismissed as a contender.