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Sixers’ Nerlens Noel Says Ish Smith Is His Favorite

By Cody Daniel

Mar 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) celebrates his score with guard Ish Smith (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 114-107. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) celebrates his score with guard Ish Smith (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 114-107. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite only being in Philadelphia for a brief 75-game stint thus far in his young career, rookie big man Nerlens Noel has seen his fair share of point guards looking to run things for the 76ers. The reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams headlined this group of floor generals that have teamed up with Noel before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks at the trade deadline.

The injured scoring guard Tony Wroten, former Sixers Tim Frazier, Larry Drew II and Alexey Shved saw time running the show for Brett Brown, as well. Isaiah Canaan then came in from Houston by way of the K.J. McDaniels’ trade, but none of the aforementioned point guards have earned the approval of Noel quite like the Sixers most recent addition, Ish Smith has in his short time alongside Noel, via CSN Philly:

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“I love that kid,” Noel said. “He finds me whenever I am open. He is the first true point guard I have ever played with, and he says I am the first alley-oop big man he’s played with. I think we complement each other. He’s my favorite.”

Smith, who is looking to finally find some stability in the NBA and make a long-term home for himself in Philly once he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, echoed Noel’s sentiments:

“He makes me look good,” Smith said of Noel. “All I have to do is put it somewhere near the rim and he is going to get it. In Cleveland, they did a good job in the second half taking the lobs away. We are still trying to figure ways to get different things down the stretch.”

“We are still trying to work through some kinks, but I have never clicked with somebody that quick. Taking nothing away from the people I have played with, I never had someone that athletic to play with.”

Noel has understandably received a tremendous amount of praise for his contributions since the All-Star break and the chatter of Noel potentially surpassing Andrew Wiggins to claim the Rookie of the Year award has grown louder. Noel’s post-All-Star break averages include 13.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 rejections and 2.3 acts of thievery per game.

Of course, Noel’s outlandish athleticism on the defensive end will assure he finds success in the NBA, but the offensive end is where Noel must really improve to ultimately become the star Philly searches for and a key cog in Noel’s development on that end of the floor has been Smith.

March 24, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (left) talks to guard Ish Smith (5) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 24, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown (left) talks to guard Ish Smith (5) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the 76ers 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Upon Smith’s arrival in Philly, which came just after the All-Star break, Noel’s offensive numbers have spike significantly for a rookie big man. His 13.9 points is up from 8.2 per game prior to the break.

Noel’s 49.2 percent of his looks from the field, an improvement from 44.5 percent before the break and his free throw numbers have jumped, as well, with Noel connecting on 67 percent, as opposed to 56.1 percent prior to the All-Star break.

We can’t credit every bit of these improvements to Smith’s presence on the team, but there’s no denying that Smith’s ability to use quick, shifty cuts and attacks at the rim have opened things up for the rest of the young Sixers.

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    • The spacing on the floor is much more evident than it was during the MCW days, which has led to more fluid ball movement, more defensive breakdowns and thus, more above the rim looks for Noel.

    But of all the things to take note of between the connection and chemistry between Noel and Smith, the communication is what Brown is most impressed with, per CSN Philly:

    “When I see those two talk at the level they talk lately, it is not force fed by a coach,” Brown said. “It is two players talking to each other. It is a relationship that is growing,” Brown said. “Ish helps Nerlens. The communication they have is free and very healthy. To have that between a point guard and a postman is very encouraging.”

    It’s a long-shot to assume Noel and Smith’s chemistry on the hardwood is enough to prevent Sam Hinkie from pursuing a more appealing option at point guard, whether it be through the draft, trades or free agency, but at the very minimum, it would seem this would be enough for Philly to bring Smith back for a backup role next season to run alongside someone like Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell.

    That’s a role that must be filled at some point when building a championship team and what better option than the guy Philly’s most notable cornerstone has spoken positively about?

    Next: 50 Greatest NBA Players Without a Championship

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