The Philadelphia 76ers are a team of phrases with underlying meanings. From the start of 2013-2014 season, signs, displays and advertisements highlighted the blueprint for what the team portrayed. “Together we Build” was shown in text with young talents Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel, and Tony Wroten featured as the faces of the rebuilt franchise.
All U Can Heat
When Joel Embiid entered the fold after the season, he replaced Wroten as one of the few profitable talents management believed would shine in the City of Brotherly Love. Similar to Noel in his rookie year, Embiid was featured heavily in promotions despite not suiting up once in his first professional season.
The highly skilled big men, along with the Rookie of the Year, received air time in the Sixers newest slogan “This Starts Now” before the 2015 NBA trade deadline.
The cryptic video package highlighting season tickets for the 2015-2016 campaign later would have just Noel and Embiid as MCW was dealt to Milwaukee. It repeatedly appeared on TV screens in the tri-state area. The message was as clear as the organization’s intentions, with Noel and Embiid leading an entire organization brimming with hope.
Noel earned First-Team All-Rookie of the Year honors this past season finishing with the third most first team votes. His game flourished from November to April. At spurts late in the season, Noel operated in total control on the block and could formulate a way to put the ball in the basket. The flat topped athletic savant handled both frontcourt roles for the organization to gauge his fit with the rehabbing Embiid.
The native of Cameroon couldn’t offer much on the court, but Embiid’s value his rookie season arguably lied in his attitude. His twitter antics after being drafted to the Sixers organization captivated a widespread audience. His sense of humor and outlandish tweets weren’t viewed as an issue to GM Sam Hinkie:
"“For a Twitter newbie, I think he has found the line that makes himself entertaining,” said Hinkie according to Michael Kaskey-Blomain of philly.com. “People have had lots of laughs and you can count me included as one of them.”"
The trust in his talented but young comrade spoke to Hinkie’s approach when letting his players be regular people off the court. Embiid endured the infamous weight fiasco during the season, but strived to get his ideal playing weight back. It might have just been a rumor, but Embiid took notice. The Kansas product put on various spectacles showcasing his physical traits.
Management didn’t hold back. While Embiid was churning out must-see pre game warmup routines, Noel’s performances and demeanor elevated as a rookie late in the season. The confidence that the Sixers organization had in their two building blocks translated to the offseason.
Interviews usually are held by media or representatives from an organization, not a seven foot behemoth currently playing on a basketball team. In an unprecedented move by Sixers management, the organization sent Embiid, along with plenty of other personnel, to interact with combine prospects during the event.
Definitely a bold move by the team, Embiid displayed his outgoing personality with the draft hopefuls and coach Brett Brown thought his appearance was vital:
"“I think that for him to come to Chicago and share in the selections and opinions of the people that we may draft is an impressive quality he has shown us,” said Brown per CSN Philly’s John Gonzalez. “We get a workout in the morning. We’re going to get a lift in the morning. We’re going to see a playoff game, the Cavaliers-Bulls game, let him take all that in. But I think to just digest this whole purpose in Chicago, something that he didn’t have an experience to look at last year, as well as help the program that we’re trying to build, is a good thing.”"
Embiid connected with possible first round talents such as Stanley Johnson, Myles Turner and Christian Wood making them feel comfortable during the interview process. Management’s trust and Joel’s intuitiveness provided a symbiotic relationship that fostered an already promising chemistry between player, coach, and organization.
Noel also represented the Sixers in another imperative event of the 2015 offseason. He joined the uber-suave Russell Westbrook and fellow Kentucky alum Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as current players representing their organizations at the 2015 NBA Draft Lottery.
Repping you guys tonight !! #NewPhila https://t.co/KO38gq2AY3
— Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) May 19, 2015
Nerlens was engaging, smiling and enjoyed being the face of the organization. The brimming big man even possibly leaked the team’s new uniforms when he displayed the threads with a wide smile.
Yessir !! https://t.co/BLSL6zJTqY
— Nerlens Noel (@NerlensNoel3) May 20, 2015
Noel was one of the three remaining representatives for the No. 1 overall pick, but the organization fell short taking home the third pick. The jubilation he displayed throughout the event illustrated a Sixer who bought into the team’s plan and is enjoying the journey.
Noel, once thought to be a moveable asset, looks to be entrenched as an instrumental piece of the Sixers rebuild and has the backing of management.
Both big men have been heavily featured as the faces of the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason. Next season, we’ll see how they fare together sharing the paint as huge building blocks of the future. Thanks to Nerlens, they’ll have another one.
Next: Which Sixers are among the 50 greatest players of all time?
More from Hoops Habit
- The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout