By John Williams, Sports Talk Philly staff 
For the past couple years, the only expectation surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers has been to have another bad season. But if this offseason has proved anything, it's that the Sixers are back at the forefront of the Philly sports spectrum. The fan base and the NBA alike have put a lot of stock into the potential that Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons contain. The trade for the first overall pick in the draft that ultimately became Markelle Fultz only heightened the excitement.
Even one former Sixers legend is pumped.
In an interview with 6ABC's Jeff Skversky, Allen Iverson not only said that he thinks the Sixers will make the playoffs in 17-18; he guaranteed it.
Allen Iverson says Sixers will be a playoff team this season!
"I guarantee it"
Plus, @alleniverson talks Sixers Title on @6abc at 11 pic.twitter.com/Tg3bOLZAnA
— Jeff Skversky 6abc (@JeffSkversky) July 16, 2017
Iverson has every reason to feel confident about his former team. The Eastern Conference seems to have gotten noticeably weaker this offseason. The Pacers and Bulls, both playoff teams last season, have lost their franchise players via underwhelming trades that will set the franchise back a couple years. The Hawks, who were the fifth seed last season have lost multiple key players such as Dwight Howard and Paul Milsap and won't have the fire power to be a force anymore.
With playoff spots opening up, along with the Sixers getting much stronger due to the renewed health of their star players and the additions of Fultz, J.J. Reddick and Amir Johnson, they will definitely be in the running for their first playoff berth since 2011-2012.
