Philadelphia 76ers: Evaluating a Nerlens Noel Evaluation

Who is evaluating Comcast’s Philadelphia 76ers player evaluation series? When it comes to Nerlens Noel, we are.

Comcast Sports Network is running a series of Philadelphia 76ers talent evaluations player by player, with the latest entry discussing Philadelphia 76ers center/power forward Nerlens Noel. Noel is currently under contract for the 2016-17 at $4.38 million.

The article mentioned how Noel played 67 games, had 16 double-doubles, including three in the final four games of the season, while increasing his points per game average to just over 11. Also discussed is Noel’s ability or inability to play with Jahlil Okafor.

It goes on to point out, accurately I believe, his quickness away from the basket, his ability to disrupt offense and passing lanes, and his ability to guard the rim. On average, by statistic, Noel protects the basket better than: Dwight Howard, Hassan Whiteside, Anthony Davis and DeAndre Jordan.

The review and capsule was instructive, but made some oversimplifications and contained glaring omissions. Noel was slightly under-described.

First of all, to be frank, Nerlens Noel is still not the strongest player physically, nor is he the most polished player offensively. His form from mid-range is improving, but not that of an elite player yet. At times, the natural parts of the game remain awkward for him and clumsy.

Nor has Noel become the most consistent performer across the board. He is still idiosyncratic.

Yet Nerlens Noel is an outstanding basketball player and special, gifted talent and only getting better.

More from Sixers News

Noel’s Tangibles Traced Statistically

"Sixers Game Notes indicates that: Philly center NERLENS NOEL led the team with three blocks against the Bulls. He also tied for the team lead with six rebounds and three steals.  Noel’s three blocks gave him an even 100 for the season. With 122 assists, 118 steals and 100 blocks, Noel joined Golden State’s DRAYMOND GREEN and Atlanta’s PAUL MILLSAP as the only three players in the NBA with at least 100 assists, steals and blocks (Basketball-Reference).  Noel, who accomplished the feat in his rookie season, is the first Sixers player to register 100 assists, steals and blocks in each of his first two NBA seasons. Noel (twice), CHARLES BARKLEY (three times), JULIUS ERVING (eight times), BOBBY JONES (twice) and CLARENCE WEATHERSPOON (twice) are the only Sixers ever to reach such totals in a single season (Basketball-Reference).  Nerlens registered his fifth game of the season with three steals and three blocks. He and Millsap finished tied for the NBA lead with five such games apiece in 2015-16, per Basketball-Reference."

Noel’s Tangibles Not Seen on the Stat Sheet

Noel continues his hustle plays
He continues in making his momentum changing blocked shots
He continues to show the ability to pass
Noel has uncanny ambidextrous shot blocking skill
Continues with tremendous second leap on timing shot blocking

The Nerlens Noel Intangibles

Just like last year, the end of this year has me hopeful, as we might have a franchise player in Noel for years to come. He has the frame and passing skill of a Marcus Camby. The grit and toughness of an Allen Iverson. The hustle and sacrifice of a Charles Barkley, and the floor game of Hakeem Olajuwon, at least in spurts.

Along with an, earnest, innocent and joyful personality, he is a serious competitor and a live wire that fills the stat sheet. Rarely do you see a player that has perimeter style type leadership skills mixed in with front-line abilities. The contrast with Okafor might hasten a deal.

The city is pulling for this energized, positive, nice soft-spoken young man, who hails from the same state as our greatest Sixer in history, Dr. J.

Next: Colangelo Ties Off-Season Strategy To NBA Lottery

Whenever analyzing a player, the obvious stand out and are easy to document. But when the obvious fails to capture anything but a pale version of the player’s significance to the team, then more must be written. Much of the shortcomings of this young man’s game will come with time – his mid-range shot, his natural flow. But it’s the intangibles, when added together, which make Nerlens Noel so very important to this team.