Fast-starting Sixers climb to fourth

Patient maturity. That's not a very snappy slogan, but it best describes the 76ers' slow, steady blossoming.

The patience was necessary after the Sixers lost 13 of their first 16 games last season. Suddenly, fans and analysts were thinking up trade scenarios involving versatile but expensive swingman Andre Iguodala, and questioning whether then-59-year-old Doug Collins was the right fit after a seven-year absence from coaching.

But the Sixers eventually clawed back to 41-41, returning to the playoffs after a year away. When quick decisions needed to be made after the lockout, Philadelphia went all-in on last year's roster, re-signing sixth man Thaddeus Young and refusing to use the amnesty clause on 32-year-old power forward Elton Brand (two years and $35.2 million left on his contract entering the season).

That investment in continuity -- patient maturity -- is paying off. Relying on a rotation of players who are all 25 or younger except the 27-year-old Iguodala and Brand, the 76ers have the NBA's most efficient defense and fourth-ranked offense en route their best start (6-2) since 2000-01. With a five-game winning streak, Philadelphia has jumped to fourth in the Power Rankings, joining Utah, Phoenix and New York among this week's biggest risers.

(All stats and records are through Monday, Jan. 9 unless otherwise noted.)

NBA Power Rankings