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

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Mar 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) grabs his neck in reaction to a foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 111-97.Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Noel Can Start

It’s seems to be a straightforward conclusion that Nerlens Noel can start on a championship NBA team. While he may never generate the type of number to be had by the career of Tim Duncan, his numbers already compete with those of Andrew Bogut, Timofey Mozgov, or Tristan Thompson.

Noel is just finishing his second season in the NBA. In his career so far, he is averaging 8.1 rebounds, 10.5 points, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.7 blocks per and average of 30.1 minutes per game.

Of the group not named Duncan, Noel’s trajectory is most aligned with that of Andrew Bogut.

In recent debates over which center to keep, there is a perpetual mention of the fact that Nerlens Noel is not hitting shots. Of the group examined, the same could be said of all but Tim Duncan. Why the disconnect between what fans expect and what reality dictates a team needs?

It’s the appearance that a “Tim Duncan” can just happen. The reality is that centers in the NBA who can score and defend are extremely rare. That is the very reason why the Philadelphia 76ers are so cautious about thinning out their stable of NBA centers.

Good ones are rare. Great ones are epically rare.

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