The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Training Camp Roster Set

By Bret Stuter

Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

CENTER

Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor

We know the center position will be a combination of Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel, and Joel Embiid.  Each could start on the team, and for many NBA teams.  But the Philadelphia 76ers were unable to find a satisfactory trade opportunity.

How will that translate into playing time this year? Well, Nerlens Noel doesn’t see how this can work.

You see, it’s a foregone conclusion that Joel Embiid will get as much quality minutes as he can handle this year.  After two years delay, the Philadelphia 76ers will push him to see if he can handle NBA competition, handle the load, and is as good as his reputation.

Beginning the season, that will likely mean every other game and perhaps as few as 20 minutes per game.  The remaining work at center will be doled out to both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor. Ideally, the Philadelphia 76ers will focus on one or the other after the first several weeks as the primary alternate.  However, don’t look for that type of conviction to come from head coach Brett Brown very early.

Ultimately, the 76ers may use playing time for either one as a marketing tool to drive up interest in a player who has caught the eye of an NBA team.  We know that this season is Nerlen Noel’s contract year, as well as a breakout opportunity for Jahlil Okafor.  That simply means that there will be tremendous pressure to get all three players onto the floor.  However, there is some belief now that the team will develop Jahlil Okafor as a power forward, and focus on defense by giving Noel the lion’s share minutes at center.

However the team handles it, there will be a lot of drama and second guessing.