The Hinkie Plan was to pair Joel Embiid with Nerlens Noel in the Philadelphia 76er front court. Will the player known as “The Process” restore the process to Philadlephia 76ers?
Nerlens Noel was the first player dealt for by Sam Hinkie. As such, he carries a tremendous burden in the new regime: put up or shut up. Virtually on his heels came the selection of Joel Embiid. Embiid was also a center with an injury requiring rehab, also promising huge potential. Despite plenty of promise, he needed the faith of a “numbers guy” to recognize his potential.
Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid formed a bond. The duo were the first vanguard of a process that will build a championship . These two centers were the commitment of Sam Hinkie to ensure that the Philadelphia 76ers would NOT need to seek a center under his watch. But most of all, Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid became teammates, and friends.
And then they became competitors for playing time.
But that was not the design. Fans who trusted the process knew that it was Nerlens Noel cross-trained as a perimeter defender, and with it learned the shot arsenal of a potential power forward in the summer of 2015. That cross training was designed to move defense out, and let Embiid slide in to defend the post.
Embiid never made it to the basketball court last season. Instead, Jahlil Okafor and his post masterful offense arrived.