Nerlens Noel Is Senior Veteran of Hinkie Herd

Apr 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) during the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

With the exodus of Hollis Thompson, Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel has assumed senior veteran role. Can he buck trend and remain with team?

Nerlens Noel has been the picture of “team first”, at times. On the other hand, he has depicted the “me-first” nightmare of every NBA general manager at times as well. But he has never had to fill the role of “senior player” before.

But that is about to change.

You see, Nerlens Noel is now the longest tenured player with the Philadelphia 76ers now. He has not always seen eye-to-eye with the front office, particularly this year. But he is fighting hard for playing minutes, minutes he desperately needs to showcase his ware to earn next year’s contract. And his opportunities to do so are running out. But contracts and playing time aside, Noel is now the player whose 76er longevity tops all.

Darwin’s Theory of Basketball

As Jessica Camarato of CSNPhilly.com discovered Thursday, January 5, it’s something Noel is very aware of:

"“I see it as survival of the fittest. It’s just how it is right now. I think with all the guys that have come through, they’re obviously in better places — Mike (Michael Carter-Williams) with Chicago, he’s playing well over there, E.T. (Evan Turner). As time goes along, just continue to work.” -Nerlens Noel"

But will the change in seniority change team dynamics, particularly in terms of Noel’s future? Well, Nerlens Noel did get 25 minutes playing time against the Boston Celtics, a team he has been linked to, while his teammate Jahlil Okafor sat on the bench. That’s quite a boost of playing time to a young man who has now seen the basketball court for a sum total of 115 minutes.

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But there has been a marked change of the minutes distribution since Joel Embiid circled the wagons around his friend, Noel. Noel has been seeing minutes every game since. Conversely, Okafor has been a healthy bench in two of the past three games.

Let’s Think About This… Again

Have the Philadelphia 76ers reconsidered their position over retaining the tall lanky center from the University of Kentucky? Perhaps. Head coach Brett Brown is renewing his emphasis on defense, Noel’s wheelhouse. And Noel himself appears to be much more amenable to whatever role the team has for him.

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So far the eye test has Noel appearing to be the more versatile center reserve. While Noel still gets pushed around in the paint when defending a veteran like Al Horford, his steals, blocks, rebounding skills more than compensate. The Philadelphia 76ers are noticing as well.