The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Top 100 Moments of 2016 Part I 100-76

Dec 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) heads down court in the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. Nuggets won 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) heads down court in the second half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. Nuggets won 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo during a press conference after being named special advisor for the Philadelphia 76ers before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo during a press conference after being named special advisor for the Philadelphia 76ers before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

99

Jerry Colangelo Declares Nerlens Noel “Just A Rim Protector”

The Philadelphia 76ers have been blessed with three starting caliber centers since draft Duke center Jahlil Okafor with the third pick of the 2015 NBA Draft. Joel Embiid needed a second surgery. The Philadelphia 76ers did not have the option to draft point guard D’Angelo Russell. At three, the best player available was Jahlil Okafor.

And that is when things became “complicated”.

Head coach Brett Brown was as busy as a coach could be. Not planning plays to win games, but trying to determine the best five players to play at a time. In theory, that should have been some combination of Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor.  Based on Noel’s athleticism, the guess was to play Noel at the four, and Okafor at the five.

You Shall Not Pass!

But special advisor to the owners, Jerry Colangelo saw an impasse in those plans.  In his view, Noel was limited to playing as just a rim protecting center.

Since that comment was made, it was Jahlil Okafor who was moved to the four to see if he could play that role. Perhaps it never would be. But from the moment Jerry Colangelo spoke, it never will be.