Nerlens Noel

[dc_chilling]

He looks really solid so far in the summer league. Barring injury, I suspect he will be far and away the best player from last years draft.

How many of you were pissed when your team passed him up in the draft?

As a Wizards fan, I know our fan base was pretty heated over the selection of Otto Porter at #3. Of course, we were used to it. Our draft history is comically bad.

Anyway, did any of the other fan bases out there feel the same?

[Collie]

Nerlens got me thinking... what's up with the trend of highly rated big men missing their rookie season due to injury? Just these past 6 years, we've seen Oden, Blake, Noel and now Embiid. Kinda weird.

[Milbuck]

I suspect he will be far and away the best player from last years draft.
:whatever:

[veilside23]

He looks really solid so far in the summer league. Barring injury, I suspect he will be far and away the best player from last years draft.

How many of you were pissed when your team passed him up in the draft?

As a Wizards fan, I know our fan base was pretty heated over the selection of Otto Porter at #3. Of course, we were used to it. Our draft history is comically bad.

Anyway, did any of the other fan bases out there feel the same?


yeah am thinking where is otto porter?

[TheMilkyBarKid]

He looks really solid so far in the summer league. Barring injury, I suspect he will be far and away the best player from last years draft.

How many of you were pissed when your team passed him up in the draft?

As a Wizards fan, I know our fan base was pretty heated over the selection of Otto Porter at #3. Of course, we were used to it. Our draft history is comically bad.

Anyway, did any of the other fan bases out there feel the same?
I know they've made a few stinkers but Wall and Beal have been great.

[Yankstar]

yeah am thinking where is otto porter?

Not good enough for D league :facepalm

[GimmeThat]

I love talking to people that are fans of other teams but are still knowledgable

[JohnnySic]

The 2013 draft was pretty weak.

[Thorpesaurous]

I've really enjoyed watching Noel in Summer League. He's still super raw offensively. But he makes due by just being really good at changing ends. And the lack of weight has definitely been a problem on both ends.

But man he is a menace when he's off the ball defensively. I had forgotten how good his instincts were. He's in passing lanes. He's able to poke balls free from ball handlers, which is really rare for guys that tall. And the shot blocking has looked incredible. The quickness of his jump, especially considering he's already had knee injuries, is really remarkable. In replays it looks like shots are ready to go up, and all of a sudden he's on top of them, or throwing them.

I still worry about how he fits. I'm afraid he'll be attacked by teams on the block because he can't hold up. And he just can't space the floor enough in the current league to play PF (especially with that Sixer roster which seems shooting averse). But even if it's as a bench player, I see the guy having a big impact on games. If he becomes a bench player who just comes in and changes ends super fast and turns your defense into a chaotic feeding frenzy for short stretches at a clip, he's a legit tempo changer as a big man, which is very unique. And if they do find a way to eventually play he and Embiid together in some sort of high low scenario, or focusing on his ability to crash on PnR while using Embiid as a roll in post option. Can he defend enough of the stretch fours without losing his value at the rim? Can he punish those stretch fours on the block on the other end?

There's some stuff to think about. But I find the Sixers to be one of the more fascinatingly assembled teams out there at the moment. Just so many weird possible combinations.

[Aussie Dunker]

KCP had him beat in Summer League ;)

But yes I think I tend to agree that the best player from that draft will turn out to be Noel, Oladipo or Burke...

[JellyBean]

He looks really solid so far in the summer league. Barring injury, I suspect he will be far and away the best player from last years draft.

How many of you were pissed when your team passed him up in the draft?

As a Wizards fan, I know our fan base was pretty heated over the selection of Otto Porter at #3. Of course, we were used to it. Our draft history is comically bad.

Anyway, did any of the other fan bases out there feel the same?


1. Mason Plumlee and Victor Oladipo. Trey Burke and Michael Carter-Williams. Those were some draft picks from last year that are going to be around for awhile.

2. As a Timberwolves fan, we had the #8 or #9 pick, I am not pissed that we passed on Noel. The draft is a crap shoot. Sometimes you steal a pick and sometimes you screw up. It happens. We have been screwing for a few decades though :oldlol:

3. Going into that 2013 draft, Otto Porter was projected as high as #3. The Wizards did the right thing by picking, according to draft experts, Otto Porter. Noel was projected #1-#10. Folks were worried about that injury.

4. I do think that Noel is going to be a huge steal for the Sixers. Just watching some of the Summer League games, this kid is going to be special for years. I just hope that the Sixers surround this kid with the right people; skill development coaches, mentors, strength and conditioning people, and coaching staff.

[chocolatethunder]

I've really enjoyed watching Noel in Summer League. He's still super raw offensively. But he makes due by just being really good at changing ends. And the lack of weight has definitely been a problem on both ends.

But man he is a menace when he's off the ball defensively. I had forgotten how good his instincts were. He's in passing lanes. He's able to poke balls free from ball handlers, which is really rare for guys that tall. And the shot blocking has looked incredible. The quickness of his jump, especially considering he's already had knee injuries, is really remarkable. In replays it looks like shots are ready to go up, and all of a sudden he's on top of them, or throwing them.

I still worry about how he fits. I'm afraid he'll be attacked by teams on the block because he can't hold up. And he just can't space the floor enough in the current league to play PF (especially with that Sixer roster which seems shooting averse). But even if it's as a bench player, I see the guy having a big impact on games. If he becomes a bench player who just comes in and changes ends super fast and turns your defense into a chaotic feeding frenzy for short stretches at a clip, he's a legit tempo changer as a big man, which is very unique. And if they do find a way to eventually play he and Embiid together in some sort of high low scenario, or focusing on his ability to crash on PnR while using Embiid as a roll in post option. Can he defend enough of the stretch fours without losing his value at the rim? Can he punish those stretch fours on the block on the other end?

There's some stuff to think about. But I find the Sixers to be one of the more fascinatingly assembled teams out there at the moment. Just so many weird possible combinations.
You make a lot of good points. He has to be one of the fastest, most active guys I've ever seen his size. I think that he can probably guard some 3s (I mean he's capable of it but that won't happen ever). He definitely has the energy and and I like that but I worry about his size and how it affects his rebounding negatively. He's too damn thin. He's not rebounding a ton in summer league which more than likely means that he won't be rebounding a ton during the regular season. I'm afraid that he's going to get tossed around like a rag doll. I don't really care about his offense and where he fits. You don't need a stretch four to survive. The Spurs play Splitter and Duncan together all the time. That being said, it wouldn't hurt for him to get a reliable 15 ft jumpshot. I envision him as something like Theo Ratliff. If he's as good as Ratliff, then I'll be happy with that. When I listened (or watched or read, I can't remember) to an interview with Embiid, Embiid says that in the future he sees himself as a four. Now, I'm not saying that will really happen but if he continues to develop (assuming he gets healthy) and Noel can get bigger, then Embiid can play on the low block and also pop out for jumpers and Noel can camp out down low and defend. Is that going to happen? I have no idea but I wouldn't rule it out. Noel will get steals that's for sure and he'll get block from the weak side. I'm not sure how good of a man defender he'll be at first apart from getting steals. People are going to be able to back him down until he gets stronger. he can definitely defend a stretch four. I don't see that as a problem. He's so long and so fast that he should be able to really d them up well. I'm just concerned about him getting abused on the block. Either way, he's a high energy, active guy and although this year will be really ugly, he'll be fun to watch.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Yeah where the HELL is Otto Porter?

[Dr.J4ever]

You make a lot of good points. He has to be one of the fastest, most active guys I've ever seen his size. I think that he can probably guard some 3s (I mean he's capable of it but that won't happen ever). He definitely has the energy and and I like that but I worry about his size and how it affects his rebounding negatively. He's too damn thin. He's not rebounding a ton in summer league which more than likely means that he won't be rebounding a ton during the regular season. I'm afraid that he's going to get tossed around like a rag doll. I don't really care about his offense and where he fits. You don't need a stretch four to survive. The Spurs play Splitter and Duncan together all the time. That being said, it wouldn't hurt for him to get a reliable 15 ft jumpshot. I envision him as something like Theo Ratliff. If he's as good as Ratliff, then I'll be happy with that. When I listened (or watched or read, I can't remember) to an interview with Embiid, Embiid says that in the future he sees himself as a four. Now, I'm not saying that will really happen but if he continues to develop (assuming he gets healthy) and Noel can get bigger, then Embiid can play on the low block and also pop out for jumpers and Noel can camp out down low and defend. Is that going to happen? I have no idea but I wouldn't rule it out. Noel will get steals that's for sure and he'll get block from the weak side. I'm not sure how good of a man defender he'll be at first apart from getting steals. People are going to be able to back him down until he gets stronger. he can definitely defend a stretch four. I don't see that as a problem. He's so long and so fast that he should be able to really d them up well. I'm just concerned about him getting abused on the block. Either way, he's a high energy, active guy and although this year will be really ugly, he'll be fun to watch.

You're right that the Spurs won 62 games with Duncan and Splitter, but in the playoffs against top defenses, they went small, starting Diaw, in place of Splitter.

You know who we have that could be a better version of Diaw? Saric, of course.

[Jailblazers7]

I think the really important thing for the Noel/Embiid combo is that Embiid is a really good passer. Splitter can play alongside Duncan because spacing becomes less of an issue due to his intelligence and interior passing. I think Embiid will be versatile enough to play high post and find a cutting Noel.

Noel might end up being the best p'n'r defending big since Garnett came into the league. His quickness, length, and instincts are insane. I'm very impressed with his ability to time the dribble of guards when he is forced to play on the perimeter. I can only imagine how much of a pain it will be for opposing PG's to work a p'n'r roll with MCW working over the screen behind him and Noel attacking him on the turn.

[Dr.J4ever]

I think the really important thing for the Noel/Embiid combo is that Embiid is a really good passer. Splitter can play alongside Duncan because spacing becomes less of an issue due to his intelligence and interior passing. I think Embiid will be versatile enough to play high post and find a cutting Noel.

Noel might end up being the best p'n'r defending big since Garnett came into the league. His quickness, length, and instincts are insane. I'm very impressed with his ability to time the dribble of guards when he is forced to play on the perimeter. I can only imagine how much of a pain it will be for opposing PG's to work a p'n'r roll with MCW working over the screen behind him and Noel attacking him on the turn.

I didn't know this, but Noel showed some nifty passe too in Orlando. That's a good observation on your part regarding the Spurs, but in today's NBA, you will really need to stretch the floor in order to get consistent penetration for your guards. It is a guard driven league, after all.

[chocolatethunder]

You're right that the Spurs won 62 games with Duncan and Splitter, but in the playoffs against top defenses, they went small, starting Diaw, in place of Splitter.

You know who we have that could be a better version of Diaw? Saric, of course.
Boris Diaw started three games in the playoffs, the last three games of the finals. Splitter and Bonner started the rest.

While Saric can be similar to Diaw at times offensively, Diaw is pretty far ahead of him on defense right now. Diaw is one of the smartest players to come along in a long time.

[Jailblazers7]

I didn't know this, but Noel showed some nifty passe too in Orlando. That's a good observation on your part regarding the Spurs, but in today's NBA, you will really need to stretch the floor in order to get consistent penetration for your guards. It is a guard driven league, after all.

True but it would be a mistake to focus on being guard driven when you have a big like Embiid imo. Going against team design trends also has its benefits. I think the future is also dependent on how Saric turns out too. Does he work better as a stretch 4ish guy with Embiid or does he fit better as a 6th man?

There are a lot of different ways that this can go but I would be pretty disappointed if we fell into the trap of demanding a stretch 4. I think Embiid eventually develops 15-18 ft range and is a good enough passer to eliminate a lot of the concerns about spacing. If you have a big who can score 20 and hit a skip pass out of a double team then things get a lot easier.

[Dr.J4ever]

True but it would be a mistake to focus on being guard driven when you have a big like Embiid imo. Going against team design trends also has its benefits. I think the future is also dependent on how Saric turns out too. Does he work better as a stretch 4ish guy with Embiid or does he fit better as a 6th man?

There are a lot of different ways that this can go but I would be pretty disappointed if we fell into the trap of demanding a stretch 4. I think Embiid eventually develops 15-18 ft range and is a good enough passer to eliminate a lot of the concerns about spacing. If you have a big who can score 20 and hit a skip pass out of a double team then things get a lot easier.

Yeah, I didn't really see too much of Embiid in college, but I saw some videos of him hitting 3s and shots from all over the court. I mean, I heard the comparisons to, dare I say it, "the dream", but can he end up hitting perimeter shots too?

'Cause if that happens, wow!

[Dr.J4ever]

Boris Diaw started three games in the playoffs, the last three games of the finals. Splitter and Bonner started the rest.

While Saric can be similar to Diaw at times offensively, Diaw is pretty far ahead of him on defense right now. Diaw is one of the smartest players to come along in a long time.
Yes, Pop made the switch to Bonner after the Spurs lost 2 in a row to OKC. He started Diaw, I believe in Game 3 of the Finals.

Not a coincidence that OKC and Miami have 2 of the best defenses in the NBA. It's hard to win the title now without stretch 4s. Possible? Yes, it depends how Embiid/ Noel can end up playing, and even then, Saric playing in a "Diaw" type role can really open up the court for them.

[Jailblazers7]

Yeah, I didn't really see to much of Embiid in college, but I saw some videos of him hitting 3s and shots from all over the court. I mean, I heard the comparisons to, dare I say it, "the dream", but can he end up hitting perimeter shots too?

'Cause if that happens, wow!

I've wanted Embiid in Philly ever since I saw these two passes against Duke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOFTP6rz2d4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ8Invj_h8U

He still does dumb shit and turns the ball over too much but that is true of ever bigman his age. But his vision and passing ability is spectacular for his age and position.

[Dr.J4ever]

I've wanted Embiid in Philly ever since I saw these two passes against Duke:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOFTP6rz2d4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ8Invj_h8U

He still does dumb shit and turns the ball over too much but that is true of ever bigman his age. But his vision and passing ability is spectacular for his age and position.

Nice, many international players somehow end up passing very well. Those passes showed some intelligence on his part. He might end up to be the biggest move yet for the Sixers!

[Dr.J4ever]

Sixers vs Memphis about to start!