NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

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4. team. 93. . 24-12. Previous: 6th. Philadelphia 76ers

Last Week: Beat Indiana Pacers 130-114, Beat/OT Utah Jazz 131-123

This Week: 3/11 at Chicago Bulls, 3/12 at Washington Wizards

The Philadelphia 76ers have taken the next step as a young franchise. After being mocked for their underachievement last year, they have entered the All-Star break with the best record in the Eastern Conference with the betting favorites for the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Not a bad turnaround.

Starting with the latter, Ben Simmons has been phenomenal this season. He is the best perimeter defender in the league and causes nightmares for anyone who comes into contact with him. Look no further than the last game before the break where he held Donovan Mitchell to 12-of-34 shooting. Sometimes the great players will still get theirs (Mitchell ended up with 33 points after all) but continuously wasting possessions is a great way to take out the best teams.

As good as Simmons has been though, Joel Embiid is on another level. He is averaging 30.2 points (second in the league), 11.6 rebounds (sixth in the league), 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. He is locked in on both sides of the ball and is carrying the Sixers to the top record in the conference.

For years, fans have wondered exactly what Philly could be in store for if Embiid was ever able to stay healthy and motivated. Turns out the answer was a simple one: domination.