The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Is Rim Protector Nerlens Noel A Starter For A Championship Team?

By Bret Stuter

Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dunks during the third quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 109-108 in OT. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dunks during the third quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 109-108 in OT. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Warriors

The following season, the Golden State Warriors won the championship.  While their style of play is less tradiitonal, they did not break the tradition of a rim protecting center.

In the 2014-2015 season, the team ended 67-15 and was a powerhouse that year as well. Despite using frequent small ball lineups, the team relied upon centers Angrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli to patrol the post and reject as many shots as possible.  It seemed to work very well in the regular season, as the pair combined for 2.6 blocks per game.

Once again, blocking shots was a team effort during the season.

However, unlike the Spurs from the previous season, the team did not drop production on blocking shots in the post season. In fact, Bogut actually became more proficient, generating 1.79 blocks per game in post season play.

As a team, the Warriors finished the playoffs with 5.76 blocks per game.  But as other players scored, Bogut could focus on blocking shots.  His 6.3 points per game in regular season fell to 4.7 points per game in the playoffs.

He had a specific role to fill, and he filled it well.

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