Which Eastern Conference Teams Could Stop a 76ers Championship?

Every team in the East is a potential threat to the Philadelphia 76ers. Yet, some are more disruptive to the 76ers' potential style of play. 

SBNation’s Liberty Ballers detailed their list of the biggest threats to the 76ers in their quest for an NBA title. Some of these names make sense. There’s the Detroit Pistons, the Boston Celtics, and the defending champion New York Knicks. 

The full list goes as follows:

6, Cleveland Cavaliers

5. Detroit Pistons

4. Boston Celtics

3. Toronto Raptors

2. Indiana Pacers

1. New York Knicks

All of these teams have a good chance to handle the 76ers, but most will fall. 

Truthfully, the Pistons might be the team best equipped to handle this new Philadelphia team. They were at the top of the list when it came to offensive efficiency as well as defensive rating. Defensively the Pistons were ranked 2nd in the NBA and 8th in offense scoring, 120 points per game. This team, despite having issues with Jalen Duren, will still be a force to be reckoned with.

Cleveland, it’s already been established that if these two teams were to meet, it’s believed they could be had by this 76ers team. Two offensive powerhouses and one lacks the ability to stop anyone. It could still turn into a good series, but the nod would be Philadelphia.

Boston is nothing like they were last season. Especially now that one of their stars is now playing for the other team. Jayson Tatum is going to get his, but when he isn’t locked in, who do they turn to? This team lives and dies by the three, and that could be their downfall. 

Toronto may be the biggest wildcard of them all. They recently acquired Kawhi Leonard, which makes this team a huge problem to deal with. He’s been known as a problem for LeBron, but there’s a feeling he won’t be the biggest concern for Philadelphia. Brandon Ingram is somewhat of a unicorn. He may be the deciding factor against the 76ers.

Indiana, to be fair, was just pushed off because they didn’t have Tyrese Haliburton. With his return, the Pacers could return to form and go on a deep run against anyone in the league. It’s going to truly depend on the health of this team, similar to that of the 76ers. 

Now for the top team on this list, New York. They’ll have their first crack at Philadelphia for the first game of the season. It may not prove who is the better team, but it will give them their first real test as a new unit. But the Knicks stand to be favorites to repeat, but this won’t be the same team they met in the playoffs last season. It’s going to be about matchups, and they have to capitalize with their wings. If they can do that, they can outplay a tough Knicks team.

All in all, some of these teams can pose a real threat, but it'll be about experience, and the 76ers have an abundance of that. The Eastern Conference is very tough, but no team will have the firepower that the 76ers do.