Mar 30, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) is called for a foul as he blocks the shot of Los Angeles Lakers center
Jordan Hill(27) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Lakers won 113-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
All-Philadelphia 76ers 1st Team
G Michael Carter-Williams, G Hollis Thompson, F K.J. McDaniels, F Robert Covington, C Nerlens Noel
I don’t need to sing the praises of Nerlens Noel to you at this point. He’s the Sixers’ best player, their best chance at a star player at the current moment, and he’s been a rock for the Sixers’ defense this season. Ever since the Sixers moved Sims to the bench and started playing Noel and four perimeter players more, the results have been great for Noel, and he should be a strong player for this team for awhile.
Carter-Williams and McDaniels still make this team despite no longer being Sixers. MCW is probably the most talented guard the Sixers have played this year, even though he can’t shoot and his defense is suspect. He’s here because the Sixers’ guard situation was chaos without him this season, and he was legitimately the team’s best player for the first two months of the season. McDaniels was the Sixers’ best rim protector for a large portion of the season, even with Noel here. Not much more needs to be said for his inclusion, except that the Rockets are jerks for burying him behind Corey Brewer and Trevor Ariza.
Then there’s Hollis and Bob. Covington has been my favorite player to watch this year for Philly, and he’s been the team’s most consistent shooter this year. Hollis Thompson is a Bruce Bowen clone who has a future as a defensive stalwart and three-point shooter who annoys the crap out of people. They’re both legit three-and-D floor spacers, who given another year, should become valuable rotation cogs for this team.
So that’s the 1st team – two guys who aren’t on the team anymore, two three-point shooting wings, and Nerlens. Let’s hope this exercise doesn’t have to go five teams deep next season.