The Final Cuts Loom For Philadelphia 76ers

Front Court

Nerlens Noel
Nerlens Noel deserves to be a starter on an NBA team. He is incredibly athletic, versatile, and his first two seasons have placed his trajectory on the path of being one of the NBA’s great defensive centers. However, the team is swimming in talent at the center position, and Noel is unhappy with few playing minutes in the last year of his contract.

Strengths
Noel is NBA caliber starter at the center position for virtually any NBA team. He is a poster child for rim protection, and his abilities situate his role to work in either a conventional line-up, or as the last defense on a small ball squad.

Weaknesses
Noel is strong defensively, but offensive is very limited. His shooting is set for alley oops, dunks and close layups. Very dependant on scheme for offense. He can also be beaten at the post by bigger stronger bodies.

Probability Of Making Team
In a perfect world, he is 100 percent assured making the roster. But recent improvement from Richaun Holmes, particularly playing center in preseason, combined with Noel’s public discontent, opens the window for a last minute deal before the season begins. I suspect with trade possibilities now, Noel is a 70 percent likely of making this teams roster .

James Webb III

James Webb III is another young man hoping to beat the odds of entering the NBA as an undrafted forward. He made a strong enough showing in the summer league to sign on with the team for the preseason.

Strengths
Webb is a young player whose potential to become accurate from the perimeter makes him a valuable prospect to any NBA team. He showed flashes of his potential by shooting 40 percent accuracy from three-point range during the preseason.

Weaknesses
Webb needs to develop in many facets of the game. While his long range shows potential, his 38.1 percent shooting from the floor will not turn heads. He is a versatile player, but on a roster with many players in that category, he doesn’t have any “standout” qualities to certify his spot on the team going forward.

Probability Of Making Team
I like Webb a great deal. In previous seasons, he would have a much better chance. I rate his likelihood of staying with the team at 20 percent.

Shaun Long

Finally Shaun Long rounds out the list, another young man whose NBA dream is rising from the ranks of the undrafted.

Strengths
Long typically announced his arrival to the court by sinking a shot. Unfortunately, he didn’t get as many minutes as hoped for. He has the potential to be a solid scoring threat from long-range, as well as some upside defensively. He plays a clean game, rarely fouling or turning the ball over.

Weaknesses
He’s young, inexperienced, and didn’t see enough playing time in preseason to turn any heads. Hopefully, he will have the chance to remain in the team’s crosshairs, as he is a hard working young man who really seems to fit what Brown is trying to accomplish with this team. He simply needs to mature and develop.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers Injury Updates on Noel, Simmons, Bayless

Probability Of Making Team

Long is another player whose time to realize his NBA career may not be this season. He is a fine young man who could benefit from more experience in the D-League. While he has the makings of a fine player, he is not there just yet. I anticipate his chances of making the final 15 man roster at 20 percent.