Andre Iguodala looked like a player worthy of his max contract.

Thaddeus Young looked like an emerging, young forward who could provide all the intangibles.

Willie Green looked capable of being an NBA player.

When it all came together it gave the Sixers just enough to defeat the Chicago Bulls, 106, 103 in overtime.

I’m not sure what should be the bigger news: The fact that the Sixers finally played as they are capable of, or that on a night when so may things went right they still needed overtime at home to beat the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference?

The optimists can cling to Brand’s 26-point performance and Iguodala’s 25 point, eight rebound, 8 assist effort as a reason to keep this team together past the trading deadline. There is talent on the team and when it all comes together victories can be achieved. As bad as the Sixers have been (16-30), Wednesday’s win brought them to within 6 ½ games of the No. 8 seed in the East. A minor winning streak and the team could make the final months of the season almost watchable.

Yes the bottom of the East is that bad.

The rest of us can do nothing more than scratch our heads. How can Brand be so good one night and so mediocre the next? How come Iguodala doesn’t bring the full package every night? What could this team accomplish if it had a coach that that found a lineup and stuck with it.

It’s no secret that the Sixers have more questions than answers. That could change – at least a little – in two weeks when the NBA’s trade deadline passes. The front office has to do something to try to give this team an identity. Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert have value, but their contracts make them hard to deal (though performances like Iguodala’s on Wednesday help). If the Sixers can find a trade partner willing to take on either contract they should jump on it. This would help speed up the inevitable rebuilding process.

At the very least, it will be interesting to see what this team does over the next two weeks.

And that’s the first time that could be said about the Sixers in a long time.