Toss Up: Flyers or Sixers?

If their seasons ended today, both the Flyers and Sixers would qualify for the playoffs. Channeling my inner Tony Kornheiser, let’s play “Toss up: Flyers or Sixers?”

Who is a bigger lock to make the playoffs?

While I think both will make it, the Sixers are the bigger lock. The Flyers have five games remaining, three on the road and two at home. They face Pittsburgh twice, New Jersey twice, and the Islanders. The Penguins are a point out of the top spot in the conference, and the Devils have historically owned the Flyers. In theory, they could go 1-4 over their last five, and teams like Boston , Washington , Buffalo , Florida and Toronto are all within 8 points.

The Sixers, meanwhile, are five games clear of eighth place Atlanta and six ahead of the New Jersey Nets. There aren’t as many teams that can catch the Sixers, so I’d say they’re the bigger lock.

Who finishes with the higher seed?

Right now, it’s the Sixers, especially if they continue their torrid pace (17-6 over their last 23 games). At 36-35, they’re currently the sixth seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, only a half game behind the Wizards for the fifth spot and four behind Cleveland for the fourth. They’ve got more upward mobility.

The Flyers are the seven seed right now and trail the Rangers by a point for sixth, but the Rangers have a game at hand. If the Flyers were to win out, they could catch New Jersey and the Rangers and be the four seed, but given their track record with the Devils, that’s not likely to happen.

Who lasts longer in the playoffs?

This is a tough one, because the top of the Eastern Conference in the NHL is so fluid. The Flyers could face Montreal , Pittsburgh , Carolina or New Jersey in the first round. The Canadiens have a rookie goalie, Carey Price, who is obviously non playoff-tested. The Flyers beat the Hurricanes three out of four meetings this season but haven’t faced them since December. If they get the Devils in the first round, I don’t see them advancing, but against the Pens, Canes, or Habs, I’d say they have a chance.

The Sixers are looking at the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, or Cleveland Cavaliers, neither of which is a good match-up on paper. Detroit is an ideal post-season team, the Magic are 3-1 against the Sixers, and there’s no way LeBron James lets the Cavs get bumped in round one. So, I’m leaning towards the Flyers, but that’s subject to change depending on the opponent.

Who wins a championship first?

Let’s be honest – neither is bringing home the hardware this year. Last season, there were no playoff games at Wachovia Center , so the fact that both teams are in playoff contention shows that both are moving in the right direction.

The Western Conference of the NBA is so deep that if the Sixers were in the West, they’d be in eleventh place and looking at the Lottery. Plus, the East is top-heavy with the resurgent Celtics, the aforementioned Pistons and Cavaliers. Yes, the Sixers will have some cap space to add pieces next season, but they’ll have to get much, much better in order to be a championship contender.

The Flyers are generally a young hockey team, especially at the center and defense positions. Mike Richards was an All-Star this year, and it shouldn’t be long before guys like Jeff Carter and Braydon Coburn receive similar recognition. Throw in guys like Ryan Parent, Joffrey Lupul, R.J. Umberger and Scottie Upshall and you can see the nucleus of this team for the next seven or eight years.

With that in mind, I’d say the Flyers are closer to the Promised Land than the Sixers, but they’ll both get there eventually.