Should Philadelphia 76ers Flip Noel With Okafor?
By Bret Stuter
Dec 28, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) defended by Utah Jazz guard
(13) in second half action at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Jazz won 95-91. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
What Ish Smith’s role?
So when the team made the move to sign up Ish Smith, it was an effort to solidify a keystone to virtually any basketball team – the point guard spot. This is not to say the likes of T.J. McConnell or Kendall Marshall should be dealt. They are developing players who have great upside. But this team cannot have every position in the NBA apprentice stage. Each position needs to have a player with developed skills, whose play is solid. Does it need to be the best of at this point in time? No. But it cannot be a team comprised of youth alone. So the Philadelphia 76ers struck a deal. Two second round picks for one point guard.
Ish Smith “makes it go” offensively. According to NBA.com’s stats database, the Pelicans had an offensive rating of 105.1 with Smith on the floor, which pales in comparison to their mark of 101.3 with him on the bench. As a point of reference, an offensive rating of 105.1 would rank as the fourth-best overall behind the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. That’s what he brought to the Pelicans. For two second round picks. ALSO ON SIXER SENSE: The Philadelphia 76ers Are Better Without Jahlil Okafor Not only has the return of Ish Smith re-energized the team. Not only has the team solidified it’s veteran compliment to a very young team. But the return of Ish Smith to the team has resparked the contemplation of how to best use Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. With Smith, Noel has already an established repertoire. Noel’s offense grows rapidly under Ish Smith’s sunlamp style of play. One of the drawbacks to Noel at the five is the offense of that roster.
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