Power rankings: Where are the Sixers?

It's been a tough road thus far for the Sixers, and the majority of this week's NBA power rankings have them in the bottom third of the league.

Here's a roundup, something we hope to provide weekly going forward.

And be sure to check out Deep Sixer and Sixerville to get inside information and analysis from the beat writers.

The Sixers are 27th in ESPN's week five rankings, behind the woeful Charlotte Bobcats and Washington Wizards:

After six losses in eight games as well as the loss of Speights to injury, Philly is forced to focus on its one ray of promise: Elton Brand averaged a long-awaited 20 points, 10 boards and 4 blocks in the past three games.

FOXSports.com has the Sixers ranked 24th, just ahead of the Bobcats and Wizards:

Elton Brand's shown signs of life recently. Sam Dalembert hasn't; he's totally lost in Eddie Jordan's system.

CBSSports.com's Dave Del Grande gives the Sixers a little more respect, ranking them at 23:

How to blow possible upset: 10-point fourth melts late lead vs. Cavs. ... Improvement noted: Elton Brand averaging 19.7 points, 10.3 rebounds in last three after 9.8, 5.3 in first 10 games.

NBA.com's John Schuhmann has the Sixers 26th:

Elton Brand (19.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg in the last three games) is starting to produce, but Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young are struggling. After a couple of decent games, the Sixers' defense allowed Memphis to shoot 52 percent on Friday.

The road doesn't get any easier for the Sixers. Their next four opponents have a combined record of 37-17.

Ryan Wixted is an intern for Philly.com Sports and a graduate of Appalachian State University.