Sixers Send Nerlens Noel to Represent Team at Lottery
By Jake Hyman
Five years ago, the Philadelphia 76ers sent a young 20 year-old Jrue Holiday to represent the organization at the 2010 NBA Draft Lottery. At No. 6 overall, the team moved up to No. 2 and landed the once-promising Evan Turner. The team now looks for another rising sophomore in Nerlens Noel to provide a similar outcome for the organization.
If the Sixers do in fact jump to No. 1 overall and both LA and Miami drop one spot, the high-top fade will be a common sight in The City of Brotherly Love. Also, Nerlens will be loved like a brother and hailed like a hero.
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One of the lone bright spots in the organization, Noel turned on the ignition late in his rookie season. His lack of awareness and ability to catch and handle the ball in the paint proved to be an anomaly as his late season surge fueled his Rookie of the Year consideration. After sitting out his first professional season due to a torn ACL suffered his freshman year at Kentucky, Noel posted averages of 9.9 ppg., 8.1 rpg., and 1.9 bpg. Completely remodeling his game with Brett Brown in preparation for the season proved essential for the growth of the big man.
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What he can bring in the interior complementing C Joel Embiid next season is an enticing and optimistic thought for fans.
Currently holding the third overall pick, the primary importance of the Sixers organization is landing in the top four selections. With two frontcourt prospects at the top of most big boards in Kentucky’s Karl Anthony-Towns and Duke’s Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia’s need resides in the backcourt. Point Guards D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay make up the first tier of talents in the draft rounding out the top four.
Julius Erving‘s appearance last year gave the Sixers a fortunate outcome with landing in the top tier of prospects at No. 3 overall and netting the Pelicans pick at No. 10. If Noel can bring a similar result to the organization and convey either the Lakers or Heat’s pick, his legacy in Philadelphia will grow astronomically.
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