Where is Nerlens?

[AdotSmoove]

I think Derek commented on this a week or so ago, but it's often overlooked how many balls NN gets his hands on. Amazing quickness and activity for a man of his size. Unless a deal blows them away, we probably have until January 15th to see this experiment play out, and I'm very anxious to see him get a few games with 25 minutes on the court and d 10-15 paired with JoJo.

A bunch of things get overlooked inregards to Noel including how many balls he fails to get his hands on and how many turnovers he never credit for (he gets credit for plenty he has a ridiculous 17.4% TOV) by his inability to catch passes.

In any case my stance regarding Noel remains unchanged he needs to be moved the money nor the minutes are here for him. I mean if he was willing to play 13-15 minutes a night and sign for 10 million AAV I'm sure we could figure something out but he wants starter minutes and max money. He's not a four he will never be a four. Embiid raised a stink about playing the 4 with Okafor. Noel range is non-existent.

Also one of Embiid or Noel is going to be playing near the basket on defense. Which negates most of the value for one of them on defense. The fit isn't there. I'm not sure it is with Okafor either but I never viewed them as an either or proposition. We have Embiid and Simmons it could very well be neither.

Embiid plays the C spot on defense and Noel is PF. Noel is more than a shot blocker, he tips passes with the best of them and is crazy agile. Okafors value on O is negated by Embiid because only one can shoot the ball. I don't understand how having two premier interior defenders is redundant. Especially since it allows NOEL to chase more. The defense against the suns during the combos limited run was fantastic. There was a two minute stretch where the suns didn't even get a shot off. I'll take that and figure out the O anytime.


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[AdotSmoove]

Hot take: Nerlens spaces the floor better than Jah.


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[Gsraider]

I continue to find it mind boggling that anyone would think that Portland has any more leverage with the ridiculous contract they gave Crabbe than Philly has with Noel. Philly is not in a great situation by any stretch of the imagination, but trading him straight up for Crabbe would not only be a downgrade in terms of who wins the trade, but also bail out the Blazers more than the 76ers. I have a certain level of interest in Crabbe, but not at that price. Even if Portland sweetened the offer, I would hate to own that contract.

[LloydFree]

I think Derek commented on this a week or so ago, but it's often overlooked how many balls NN gets his hands on. Amazing quickness and activity for a man of his size. Unless a deal blows them away, we probably have until January 15th to see this experiment play out, and I'm very anxious to see him get a few games with 25 minutes on the court and d 10-15 paired with JoJo.

A bunch of things get overlooked inregards to Noel including how many balls he fails to get his hands on and how many turnovers he never credit for (he gets credit for plenty he has a ridiculous 17.4% TOV) by his inability to catch passes.

In any case my stance regarding Noel remains unchanged he needs to be moved the money nor the minutes are here for him. I mean if he was willing to play 13-15 minutes a night and sign for 10 million AAV I'm sure we could figure something out but he wants starter minutes and max money. He's not a four he will never be a four. Embiid raised a stink about playing the 4 with Okafor. Noel range is non-existent.

Also one of Embiid or Noel is going to be playing near the basket on defense. Which negates most of the value for one of them on defense. The fit isn't there. I'm not sure it is with Okafor either but I never viewed them as an either or proposition. We have Embiid and Simmons it could very well be neither.

Embiid plays the C spot on defense and Noel is PF. Noel is more than a shot blocker, he tips passes with the best of them and is crazy agile. Okafors value on O is negated by Embiid because only one can shoot the ball. I don't understand how having two premier interior defenders is redundant. Especially since it allows NOEL to chase more. The defense against the suns during the combos limited run was fantastic. There was a two minute stretch where the suns didn't even get a shot off. I'll take that and figure out the O anytime.

Trade Okafor for competent young SG or combo Guard. Just competent, nothing great... and this team would take off.

[Covington_33]

I think you're a bit harsh regarding Crabbe. He is a decent player, with a opportunity I believe he can do like CJ did at Portland. He is really great, specially when he starts the match, that gives him confidence and you can see him with his shots (he started 8 games and averages over 50% at 3pts).

Good shot selections, can play D but not so much. Can improve on that tho. I think this year he is shooting the ball much better, and you can see that with the %. Right now, regarding his role as a 7th man and his impact on Portland, ofc he is overpaid.

Let's say the trade happens, and Crabbe delivers. We'll look at it as a great move. Salaries are going to get bigger and bigger anyway, 4 years at 71M it's not that bad. Sometimes you need to take some risks, that's the way I see it.

I'm pretty sure if it does not click, they'll be able to trade him next summer at the draft

For Portland, they're going to miss out on the play offs if they don't get a center. They need a defensive center too so they don't want to wait till next Summer, they need it now. With what they've achieved last year, they can't miss out on play offs this year Possible for Philly to get Crabbe and a draft pick in my opinion. Nerlens Noel is clearly the best player available for them.

And I'm sure both teams already talked about it...

[HartfordWhalers]

I think you're a bit harsh regarding Crabbe. He is a decent player, with a opportunity I believe he can do like CJ did at Portland. He is really great, specially when he starts the match, that gives him confidence and you can see him with his shots (he started 8 games and averages over 50% at 3pts).

Good shot selections, can play D but not so much. Can improve on that tho. I think this year he is shooting the ball much better, and you can see that with the %. Right now, regarding his role as a 7th man and his impact on Portland, ofc he is overpaid.

Let's say the trade happens, and Crabbe delivers. We'll look at it as a great move. Salaries are going to get bigger and bigger anyway, 4 years at 71M it's not that bad. Sometimes you need to take some risks, that's the way I see it.

I'm pretty sure if it does not click, they'll be able to trade him next summer at the draft

For Portland, they're going to miss out on the play offs if they don't get a center. They need a defensive center too so they don't want to wait till next Summer, they need it now. With what they've achieved last year, they can't miss out on play offs this year Possible for Philly to get Crabbe and a draft pick in my opinion. Nerlens Noel is clearly the best player available for them.

And I'm sure both teams already talked about it...

Welcome to the boards!

[hookshot199]

I think you're a bit harsh regarding Crabbe. He is a decent player, with a opportunity I believe he can do like CJ did at Portland. He is really great, specially when he starts the match, that gives him confidence and you can see him with his shots (he started 8 games and averages over 50% at 3pts).

Good shot selections, can play D but not so much. Can improve on that tho. I think this year he is shooting the ball much better, and you can see that with the %. Right now, regarding his role as a 7th man and his impact on Portland, ofc he is overpaid.

Let's say the trade happens, and Crabbe delivers. We'll look at it as a great move. Salaries are going to get bigger and bigger anyway, 4 years at 71M it's not that bad. Sometimes you need to take some risks, that's the way I see it.

I'm pretty sure if it does not click, they'll be able to trade him next summer at the draft

For Portland, they're going to miss out on the play offs if they don't get a center. They need a defensive center too so they don't want to wait till next Summer, they need it now. With what they've achieved last year, they can't miss out on play offs this year Possible for Philly to get Crabbe and a draft pick in my opinion. Nerlens Noel is clearly the best player available for them.

And I'm sure both teams already talked about it...

Nerlens Noel is the best player available for the Sixers.

[Covington_33]

I totally disagree with that. In which area did he progress since he first came into the league?

Last year he had a great connexion with Ish on the court but that was about it? Did he improve in defense? Not at all. I don't see any progress and I don't see someone who wants to be there. And his attitude on and off the court is not a good one.

I'm not saying that he can't become a starter in this league, I'm just saying that the Sixers needs to get rid of him asap. This situation between Okafor/Noel has been going on for too long. We don't know what happens behind the scenes between this two and the coach, we don't know the discussion but we know that Okafor is clearly lacking of confidence right now (same for Noel)

I just believe that the better option for both players and for the franchise is to trade Noel as soon as possible and let our 2 centers play without concurrence and without any preassure as this season we don't have any goals.

[youngcrev]

I think you're a bit harsh regarding Crabbe. He is a decent player, with a opportunity I believe he can do like CJ did at Portland. He is really great, specially when he starts the match, that gives him confidence and you can see him with his shots (he started 8 games and averages over 50% at 3pts).

Good shot selections, can play D but not so much. Can improve on that tho. I think this year he is shooting the ball much better, and you can see that with the %. Right now, regarding his role as a 7th man and his impact on Portland, ofc he is overpaid.

Let's say the trade happens, and Crabbe delivers. We'll look at it as a great move. Salaries are going to get bigger and bigger anyway, 4 years at 71M it's not that bad. Sometimes you need to take some risks, that's the way I see it.

I'm pretty sure if it does not click, they'll be able to trade him next summer at the draft

For Portland, they're going to miss out on the play offs if they don't get a center. They need a defensive center too so they don't want to wait till next Summer, they need it now. With what they've achieved last year, they can't miss out on play offs this year Possible for Philly to get Crabbe and a draft pick in my opinion. Nerlens Noel is clearly the best player available for them.

And I'm sure both teams already talked about it...

There was interest in Crabbe around here this summer... until people saw the money he got from the Nets. On top of that, he has a 15% trade kicker, which pushes him up to 21+M per year. Just doesn't seem like a wise investment... particularly if you are are actually giving up value to do so.

[Gsraider]

I think you're a bit harsh regarding Crabbe. He is a decent player, with a opportunity I believe he can do like CJ did at Portland. He is really great, specially when he starts the match, that gives him confidence and you can see him with his shots (he started 8 games and averages over 50% at 3pts).

Good shot selections, can play D but not so much. Can improve on that tho. I think this year he is shooting the ball much better, and you can see that with the %. Right now, regarding his role as a 7th man and his impact on Portland, ofc he is overpaid.

Let's say the trade happens, and Crabbe delivers. We'll look at it as a great move. Salaries are going to get bigger and bigger anyway, 4 years at 71M it's not that bad. Sometimes you need to take some risks, that's the way I see it.

I'm pretty sure if it does not click, they'll be able to trade him next summer at the draft

For Portland, they're going to miss out on the play offs if they don't get a center. They need a defensive center too so they don't want to wait till next Summer, they need it now. With what they've achieved last year, they can't miss out on play offs this year Possible for Philly to get Crabbe and a draft pick in my opinion. Nerlens Noel is clearly the best player available for them.

And I'm sure both teams already talked about it...

I'm not being harsh about Crabbe. I actually think he's a decent player like you said. I might even venture to say a good player. However, at $18 million and $21 million with the trade kicker (or so I have read), then he's a wildly overpriced player. Portland made that mistake, but doesn't mean Philly should do the same. In the end, I suppose you are right in that he could pan out better in Philly, but at $20 million or so a season, he needs to be a star, not a good player. I think that's the mistake so many teams make in FA, particularly this past off-season.

[TTP]

I totally disagree with that. In which area did he progress since he first came into the league?

Last year he had a great connexion with Ish on the court but that was about it? Did he improve in defense? Not at all. I don't see any progress and I don't see someone who wants to be there. And his attitude on and off the court is not a good one.

I'm not saying that he can't become a starter in this league, I'm just saying that the Sixers needs to get rid of him asap. This situation between Okafor/Noel has been going on for too long. We don't know what happens behind the scenes between this two and the coach, we don't know the discussion but we know that Okafor is clearly lacking of confidence right now (same for Noel)

I just believe that the better option for both players and for the franchise is to trade Noel as soon as possible and let our 2 centers play without concurrence and without any preassure as this season we don't have any goals.

If you take his splits where he was on the court without Okafor, he significantly progressed with his TS%, assist rate, free throw rate, and stocks/36. It's a pretty big misconception that he didn't improve significantly from his rookie season.

[TTP]

Let's say the trade happens, and Crabbe delivers. We'll look at it as a great move.

What kind of argument is this? You can just insert those words about anyone or anything.

Let's max Jakarr Sampson and he delivers. We'll look at it as a great move.

Let's trade our 1st round pick for Anthony Bennett and Bennett delivers. We'll look at it as a great move.

[Eta Carinae]

I would like to see Noel and Embiid with a competent pg who can actually run the pnr and break down his man. Cant wait for Simmons to get on the court. TJ and Nerlens just doesnt work

[Covington_33]

Well, I just said what I think tbh, it's my opinion. I didn't know the 21m thing on Crabbe contract tho.

We need to trade either Noel or Jah' for the well being of the team, no doubt about that, and I'd rather see Noel go. Knowing the Portland interest about Noel, I'm just being realistic, they will try to give us Crabbe or Turner. And here again, I'll go with Crabbe. We need a young 2 that can shoot the basketball and that is Crabbe's profile.

What a shame they overpaid him tho

[hookshot199]

I totally disagree with that. In which area did he progress since he first came into the league?

Last year he had a great connexion with Ish on the court but that was about it? Did he improve in defense? Not at all. I don't see any progress and I don't see someone who wants to be there. And his attitude on and off the court is not a good one.

I'm not saying that he can't become a starter in this league, I'm just saying that the Sixers needs to get rid of him asap. (1) This situation between Okafor/Noel has been going on for too long. (2) We don't know what happens behind the scenes between this two and the coach, we don't know the discussion but we know that Okafor is clearly lacking of confidence right now (same for Noel)

I just believe that the better option for both players and for the franchise is to trade Noel as soon as possible and let our 2 centers play without concurrence and without any preassure as this season we don't have any goals.

(1) Four games, perhaps five depending on how you count, and 35 minutes.

(2) We know that Embiid has chimed in. So if you're the owner or president of basketball operations, you'll have to make a decision between a mediocre coach (who will probably be fired at season's end) or your star. Michael Jordan, as a 25-year-old, got Doug Collins fired. Magic, as a 22-year-old, got Paul Westhead fired. In their places: Phil Jackson and Pat Riley.

Embiid isn't trying to get his coach fired. Colangelo will do that in April. His ffirst decision when the season ends. But Embiid has declared that he has a seat at the table. By going public the way he did, he's signaled to management that he wants to play on a defensive-oriented team. He didn't dictate who management should choose. He dictated that there a fair competition.

Rightly or wrongly, the Sixers are now his team.

[LloydFree]

I would like to see Noel and Embiid with a competent pg who can actually run the pnr and break down his man. Cant wait for Simmons to get on the court. TJ and Nerlens just doesnt work

Offensively, Sergio Rodriguez is competent. He is a good pick-n-roll guard.

[phifans]

Rightly or wrongly, the Sixers are now his team.

I wouldn't just call it Embiid's team yet before I see how a healthy Ben Simmons perform and furthermore I need more time to be convinced Biid could keep healthy for majority of his career.

[bedjawII]

I totally disagree with that. In which area did he progress since he first came into the league?

Last year he had a great connexion with Ish on the court but that was about it? Did he improve in defense? Not at all. I don't see any progress and I don't see someone who wants to be there. And his attitude on and off the court is not a good one.

I'm not saying that he can't become a starter in this league, I'm just saying that the Sixers needs to get rid of him asap. This situation between Okafor/Noel has been going on for too long. We don't know what happens behind the scenes between this two and the coach, we don't know the discussion but we know that Okafor is clearly lacking of confidence right now (same for Noel)

I just believe that the better option for both players and for the franchise is to trade Noel as soon as possible and let our 2 centers play without concurrence and without any preassure as this season we don't have any goals.

If you take his splits where he was on the court without Okafor, he significantly progressed with his TS%, assist rate, free throw rate, and stocks/36. It's a pretty big misconception that he didn't improve significantly from his rookie season.

That's kinda what I see with NN. If given the opportunity and space he can put up numbers. However you'll never win a thing with NN being a significant part of your offense. I don't think he gets that. He's not a core player. He's a super-role player. He can start on a great team but they wouldn't run a single play for him.

[Sixerfan86]

We have more cap space than any team in the league. We could match any offer for Noel. But should we, if a team signs him to a max offer sheet?

Now, the downside is that there is almost zero FA rim protecting centers like Noel (maybe ibaka if he's considered a center?). This works against us.

Fortunately, there are very few teams that have either a) the resources and b) the need for someone like Noel:

My list is 3 teams, but really only one.

1. Rockets: rockets can afford noel...hed fit great in their system. But they have capella who is their Noel. He makes nothing though, so they may want to take a swing at Noel. I still dont think they go max money for noel, however, with clint in fold.

2. Mavs: bogut will be gone. They need a center. Dirk will be gone. Still, i dont see dallas when they have so much money tied to barnes and mathews. But they could.

And then finally,

3. Celtics. They have a ton of cap space and a huge need for a rim protecting center. This one scares me to death. They could easily force our hand.

If, somehow, we were able to make the celtics not need a center, than the price would be much lower.

Solution: we trade okafor to boston for a deal they cant refuse.... maybe a protected future first round pick.... if boston is out of the noel running, we could keep noel on a 4 yr/12-15 mill a year contract, give embiid his max next year...
And then have cap room to play around while simmons remains on his rookie deal.

[hookshot199]

Rightly or wrongly, the Sixers are now his team.

I wouldn't just call it Embiid's team yet before I see how a healthy Ben Simmons perform and furthermore I need more time to be convinced Biid could keep healthy for majority of his career.

Fair comments. But if Keith Pompey's article quoted Embiid accurately - he usually plays it safe to a fault - then Embiid, coupled with his tweets, has drawn a line about 'process' and perhaps direction. I cannot imagine that the Colangelos trade Noel until they get some data about both pairings of twin towers.

And if I were the Colangelos and Josh Harris, I'd be ecstatic and wary at the same time that their young 'franchise' - or one of their two young 'franchise' players - has stepped into the breach to be the team's leader.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20161223_Sixers__Joel_Embiid_and_Nerlens_Noel_want_their_own_twin-towers_chance.html