Where is Nerlens?

[hookshot199]

Amen. But even the Okafor pairing needs more time and perhaps, as you insinuated, used more selectively - against bigger slower teams. I truly wonder what Brown does in their practice sessions to prepare them for these pairings.

Predictable. It's Brown's fault the team's Defense falls off a cliff when you put Okafor on the court next to Embiid. The best thing about them attempting this nonsense, was going to be it would quiet the silly chatter to play them together. Now we gotta read it "... It's Brown's fault it's not working" or "... It's the guards fault Okafor can't guard anybody". Unreal.

It is also predictable that some of you guys have made up your mind about certain players in their late teens or early 20's. That's your right, even if some of us think you're wrong. Often, it takes some time for 19- and 20-year old 'kids' to develop. If you insist, I'll present some names.

I also believe - and stated - that Brown deserves a pass for the first 20 games of the season BECAUSE OF INJURIES both to his front court and back court.

I also believe that Okafor is entitled to a chance to play the four and both Okafor and Noel are entitled to a chance to be the 'chosen one' to build around Embiid. And I think it's horsesh*t every time you guys talk about money as if it's a big deal. It isn't.

Brown gets a pass for the first 20 games - Embiid and Okafor were both on severely restricted minutes, Noel and Bayless were out. He gets a pass for Hinkie's screwup last year: no veteran point guard until December.

But he doesn't get a pass if he f**ks this up.

We need to know, possibly by the trade deadline and surely by the end of the season before the draft exactly who can do what and when - and, more importantly, who's going to be the best match moving forward with Embiid.

A little factoid for you: Of the top 10-rated players at this juncture on nbadraft.net, there is only one power forward and no centers. If you're in need of a center come June and have guards on the roster, why would you conclude that some sort of a draft-night trade couldn't be worked?

Brown needs to give management data and shut his mouth. Yes, it is the coach's fault when he goes public before the first game they are healthy enough play together (declaring that Noel would be a 'reserve' defensive center) and after when he made one of his players look bad for questioning his playing time.

It should have all been dealt with behind closed doors before the Lakers game.

There's no rush.

[AdotSmoove]

It's gonna be interesting to see what happens if they try it now. When it inevitably fails people are just gonna say "You can't judge it without Simmons" or " You need better guards to be able to judge Nerlens and Joel." Yet these same people won't extend that leeway with Jah

Jah's skill set is utterly redundant because Embiid is just as effective scoring in the post. Noel's only job on offense will be to crash the weak side glass. Jah can't do that, maybe NOEL could. Noel also isn't afraid of mid range jumpers even though he barely hits them, Jah refuses to take them even when open. The real benefit is that it creates a defensive strength, not a liability. The Joel/Jah offense isn't abysmal, it's the defense. That doesn't happen with Noel.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[LloydFree]

It's gonna be interesting to see what happens if they try it now. When it inevitably fails people are just gonna say "You can't judge it without Simmons" or " You need better guards to be able to judge Nerlens and Joel." Yet these same people won't extend that leeway with Jah

What does Ben Simmons have to do with Okafor being disgrace on defense at either the 4 or 5?

[Negrodamus]

http://www.libertyballers.com/2016/12/21/14045746/breakdown-of-nerlens-sophomore-season-part-1-defense#comments

Posted on Reddit. After watching the clips and reading the article, it's crazy to think Okafor is better for this team moving forward than Noel. Even offensively, Noel creates transition opportunities while not needing the ball for ISO situations. I honestly believe a Simmons, Noel, Embiid lineup can work (and work well) for stretches of the game.

[rzzzzz]

Jah's skill set is utterly redundant because Embiid is just as effective scoring in the post.

fairer to say that Jah's skill will be redundant when Embiid develops into an effective post scorer. which is probably true, 'cause he is phenomenally gifted. though i could imagine Jah coming off the bench as a microwave, if we hold onto him for another year as insurance. (too bad for him.) but both these guys, just like any other center/pf, need a competent pg to actually deliver the ball into the post. (remember how happy Noel and Jah were just to get Ish?)

not sure why Jah is enthusiastic about staying, except that he knows how good Joel and Ben will be. got to wonder why Noel was so quick to pull up stakes before giving it a try.

[HotelVitale]

Jah's skill set is utterly redundant because Embiid is just as effective scoring in the post.

not sure why Jah is enthusiastic about staying, except that he knows how good Joel and Ben will be. got to wonder why Noel was so quick to pull up stakes before giving it a try.

I mean, he's playing 10mpg in a contract year, and it's reasonable for him to expect like $80m+ on his next contract. He's 'malcontent' now because he's being treated as the odd man out; Okafor is still getting his minutes/touches AND he's got another 3 seasons to elevate his value, so he has no reason to start complaining yet. It's not exactly the Sixers fault but Noel would be foolish to sit and grin as he watched his value diminish each day for something that wasn't his own doing.

[rzzzzz]

It's not exactly the Sixers fault but Noel would be foolish to sit and grin as he watched his value diminish each day for something that wasn't his own doing.

i don't know what to make of it. Embiid calling Noel his best friend and saying they should play together. And the ovation from the crowd. How does Noel respond to that? that ain't getting him out of town somewhere else to start at center. but what if he and Embiid hit it off on the court? that's good, right? would he stay to play pf and back-up center? that's what OK4 is willing to do, but if Noel is a better fit, OK4 should bring us a better return. (i like OK4, but I'm OK it going the other way.)

[Unbreakable99]

It's not exactly the Sixers fault but Noel would be foolish to sit and grin as he watched his value diminish each day for something that wasn't his own doing.

i don't know what to make of it. Embiid calling Noel his best friend and saying they should play together. And the ovation from the crowd. How does Noel respond to that? that ain't getting him out of town somewhere else to start at center. but what if he and Embiid hit it off on the court? that's good, right? would he stay to play pf and back-up center? that's what OK4 is willing to do, but if Noel is a better fit, OK4 should bring us a better return. (i like OK4, but I'm OK it going the other way.)

Okafor would not bring back better return than Noel and that says a lot considering Noel is a pending restricted free agent. Noel is more in demand by other GMs. Noel is a player who can play starters minutes on a championship level team. Okafor can't.

[Ericb5]

Jah's skill set is utterly redundant because Embiid is just as effective scoring in the post.

not sure why Jah is enthusiastic about staying, except that he knows how good Joel and Ben will be. got to wonder why Noel was so quick to pull up stakes before giving it a try.

I mean, he's playing 10mpg in a contract year, and it's reasonable for him to expect like $80m+ on his next contract. He's 'malcontent' now because he's being treated as the odd man out; Okafor is still getting his minutes/touches AND he's got another 3 seasons to elevate his value, so he has no reason to start complaining yet. It's not exactly the Sixers fault but Noel would be foolish to sit and grin as he watched his value diminish each day for something that wasn't his own doing.

He is justified in his feelings, but his actions are serving to lower his value farther than lack of playing time would.

The league knows that he can be a good center, and that he is misused here. However, if he is showing to be a negative in the intangibles, like attitude, and selfishness, then he is taking dollars from his own pocket.

He needs to separate his feelings from his professionalism. He isn't a lost cause by any stretch, but his temper tantrum hurts all stakeholders in his career.

[rzzzzz]

Noel is a player who can play starters minutes on a championship level team.

Marc Iavaroni started on a championship team. (One of the best!)

until a trade is made, you don't really know who got what offer. plenty of rumors and speculation, though.

[Unbreakable99]

Noel is a player who can play starters minutes on a championship level team.

Marc Iavaroni started on a championship team. (One of the best!)

until a trade is made, you don't really know who got what offer. plenty of rumors and speculation, though.

I'm talking this time period. Come on. Okafor can't start on a championship caliber team. He would be hard pressed to get starters minutes on one. Noel can start and get starters minutes on a championship caliber team. Every GM knows it. Noel is in more demand as he should.

[76ersfan]

All off season

"We should wait until they can all get on the court together"

"You're not going to see them all on the court together because 3 of them play the same position and can't play together."

"But what if they can play different positions and can play together"

"No that's the whole reason why at least one of them is being traded because they can't play together."

"But now hear me out, what if they can play together"

"Please gouge my eyes out with a fork."

Grab me a second fork!


Sent from my iPad using RealGM mobile app

[SelfishPlayer]

Noel is a player who can play starters minutes on a championship level team.

Marc Iavaroni started on a championship team. (One of the best!)

until a trade is made, you don't really know who got what offer. plenty of rumors and speculation, though.

I'm talking this time period. Come on. Okafor can't start on a championship caliber team. He would be hard pressed to get starters minutes on one.

That's a lie. Okafor could have started for the Lebrons if Mosgov started for them. Okafor would look much different if he played for a team that didn't have TJ McConnell and Sergio Rodriguez as its primary ball handlers. It would be like the difference between watching Carmelo ball stop in the NBA as a SF compared to him as a PF in intentional basketball virtually never having to create his own shot.

[rzzzzz]

Every GM knows it. Noel is in more demand as he should.

if you say so. i think they're both great and hope at least one of them shows some chemistry with JoJo and Ben, before the deadline.

[Unbreakable99]

Marc Iavaroni started on a championship team. (One of the best!)

until a trade is made, you don't really know who got what offer. plenty of rumors and speculation, though.

I'm talking this time period. Come on. Okafor can't start on a championship caliber team. He would be hard pressed to get starters minutes on one.

That's a lie. Okafor could have started for the Lebrons if Mosgov started for them. Okafor would look much different if he played for a team that didn't have TJ McConnell and Sergio Rodriguez as its primary ball handlers. It would be like the difference between watching Carmelo ball stop in the NBA as a SF compared to him as a PF in intentional basketball virtually never having to create his own shot.

LeBron can make anyone a contender. If Okafor were on the Cavs they would not have won. With Okafor playing starters minutes meaning 28-32 minutes on the Cavs they might lose to Toronto. LeBron couldn't make up for all the defensive lapses by Okafor. Okafor on golden st would make them much easier to beat. Okafor playing 30 minutes for the warriors would be horrible. Okafor makes every team worse defensively thus making them a worse team overall.

[LloydFree]

Any mention of Okafor's name on the trade board illicits pretty much the same two reactions from every fanbase: "... I'm not interested in giving anything of value for Okafor" or "I'd rather trade for Noel." No team has a need for what Okafor brings to the table.

It's funny how during the summer, on this board, it was an outrageous and slanderous insult to say Okafor is something between Enes Kanter and Brook Lopez. Now one month into the season, most are hopeful that he can someday provide an Enes Kanter type impact.

[SelfishPlayer]

I'm talking this time period. Come on. Okafor can't start on a championship caliber team. He would be hard pressed to get starters minutes on one.

That's a lie. Okafor could have started for the Lebrons if Mosgov started for them. Okafor would look much different if he played for a team that didn't have TJ McConnell and Sergio Rodriguez as its primary ball handlers. It would be like the difference between watching Carmelo ball stop in the NBA as a SF compared to him as a PF in intentional basketball virtually never having to create his own shot.

LeBron can make anyone a contender. If Okafor were on the Cavs they would not have won. With Okafor playing starters minutes meaning 28-32 minutes on the Cavs they might lose to Toronto. LeBron couldn't make up for all the defensive lapses by Okafor. Okafor on golden st would make them much easier to beat. Okafor playing 30 minutes for the warriors would be horrible. Okafor makes every team worse defensively thus making then a worse team overall.

With Lebron, Okafor would shoot over 60% from the field and get 2 blocks per game.

[SelfishPlayer]

It's funny how during the summer, on this board, it was an outrageous and slanderous insult to say Okafor is something between Enes Kanter and Brook Lopez. Now one month into the season, most are hopeful that he can someday provide an Enes Kanter type impact.

We know what both of those guys look like playing with NBA caliber guards. It is yet to be seen what Okafor looks like playing with NBA caliber guards.

[Unbreakable99]

That's a lie. Okafor could have started for the Lebrons if Mosgov started for them. Okafor would look much different if he played for a team that didn't have TJ McConnell and Sergio Rodriguez as its primary ball handlers. It would be like the difference between watching Carmelo ball stop in the NBA as a SF compared to him as a PF in intentional basketball virtually never having to create his own shot.

LeBron can make anyone a contender. If Okafor were on the Cavs they would not have won. With Okafor playing starters minutes meaning 28-32 minutes on the Cavs they might lose to Toronto. LeBron couldn't make up for all the defensive lapses by Okafor. Okafor on golden st would make them much easier to beat. Okafor playing 30 minutes for the warriors would be horrible. Okafor makes every team worse defensively thus making then a worse team overall.

With Lebron, Okafor would shoot over 60% from the field and get 2 blocks per game.

Lol. And what would Okafor do on the defensive end? Tristan Thompson rebounds and plays good defense. He is at least a deterrent at the rim and doesn't allow a layup line on defense. I love how when mentioning Okafor younonly bring up what he will do on offense while completely disregarding what he will do on defense. LeBron would definitely want Noel ovee Okafor I feel he had a choice between the two.

[Foshan]

Any mention of Okafor's name on the trade board illicits pretty much the same two reactions from every fanbase: "... I'm not interested in giving anything of value for Okafor" or "I'd rather trade for Noel." No team has a need for what Okafor brings to the table.

"I'd rather trade for Noel..." followed by..."I'm not interested in giving anything of value for Noel."

Welcome to the trade board where everyone will grudgingly take on your teams talent for nothing and not a penny more.