The Sixer Sense
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Can Joel Embiid Resolve Nerlens Noel Drama?

By Bret Stuter

Mar 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) share a laugh during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (left) and center Joel Embiid (right) share a laugh during warm ups before a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Nerlens Noel (M) and forward Ben Simmons (R) during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Nerlens Noel (M) and forward Ben Simmons (R) during a timeout in the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Wells Fargo Center. The Toronto Raptors won 123.114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Embiid Leads the Way

The Philadelphia 76ers needed strong center play this season.  With the start of the season, Noel came up suddenly injured, and went off to have knee surgery.

Soon enough, Nerlens Noel finished rehabbing and wanted to return to the team.  Unfortunately, head coach Brett Brown does not see his line-up like a drive up window service, and meted out the barest of ten minutes of playing time to Noel before Noel twisted his ankle, followed by eight minutes of playing time for Noel several days later.

Noel erupted again.  In fact, Noel changed agents, spoke out against the team regarding the center situation and the amount of playing time he was getting, and started a cascading series of statements and rebuttals.  A cooler head had to act quickly.

Joel Embiid spoke up, and did so respectfully and masterfully.

Joel Embiid saw Nerlens Noel under siege, and stood beside him. He wants to play alongside him too.  For he has assumed a nickname of “The Process”, and that is what Hinkie wanted to see happen all along.