Are Nerlens Noel And Joel Embiid Compatible?

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Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Injured Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. The New York Knicks won 109-102. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Big Man Soft Touch

Much of the expectation of what Joel Embiid will do is based on projection, estimation, and yes, a little faith. But when the young man fell to the Philadelphia 76ers at three in the 2014 NBA draft, he was not the third pick at all. He was a top pick of that NBA draft who fell due to his foot injury… a foot injury some continue to swear has already ended his career before it began.

But the Sixers have poured two years, countless hours and dollars, and tied the success of the franchise on the belief that he will make a full recovery and realize all the potential of his basketball career.

You see, Joel Embiid has been frozen in time for two years. But his draft profile was even more impressive than that of Ben Simmons: now up to 7’2″ and 250 pounds with a 7’4″ wingspan, Embiid appears to be engineered for the NBA. He has elite size, length and athleticism.

He has the ability to get down in a stance and switch on the pick-and-roll, bang with bigger players on the block and contest shots high above the rim. What makes him special, though, is what he can do on the other side of the ball. Embiid is the rare seven-footer who projects as both an elite defensive and offensive player.

For two years he has been watching, listening, getting stronger, and learning the NBA from the coaching staff of the Philadelphia 76ers. If he was a top prospect with just one year at Kansas, imagine what his potential will be with the 76ers.

But Embiid will need help. At the beginning of the season, he will most assuredly be on minutes restrictions. He will need someone to come in and play like a starter.

Nerlens Noel will be an incredible defender player who will give the Sixers something they covet most of all, flexibility. With the opportunity to go “big ball” by fielding Embiid Noel Saric Simmons and Covington, the team will have every bit the athleticism of the Golden State Warriors “splash brothers”, but they will be doing all their shooting from the 10,000 foot mark.

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Noel gives offense, but not in quantities which will lead the team. But Embiid can do that, while keeping up his end of the court with strong defense. It may be that the Sixers will sign plenty of veterans to help out. But for the front court, the team will be just fine.