Sam Hinkie is encouraged by what he has seen from the Philadelphia 76ers to start the season, but isn't ready to call them a playoff team.

"It's been fun for all of us," Hinkie said on Wednesday. "Good early rewards for the coaches and their efforts and what they've done behind the scenes and for the players, development-wise, they've gotten up and down, and some of your young players have really flourished in this new system.

"I was worried that I was going to have to get [former Sixer, current ambassador] World B. Free to talk to our young players and tell them what a great Philly crowd is like, but now we had the Miami and Chicago games, and they were great, loud crowds."

Brett Brown placed a special emphasis on fitness to start the season.

"[Winning] can only help them, and we talk to our players a lot about it," Hinkie said. "It's an everyday approach, and you're not sure when you're going to see results, but you have to keep at it and do whatever you think will help. Getting some positive results early gives some people some confidence, and hopefully it will help us weather some storms when the time comes."

Michael Carter-Williams helped lead the 76ers to the quick start and won Player of the Week honors.