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NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) brings the ball up court with center Jahlil Okafor (8) and guard Hollis Thompson (31) during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 115-114. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia 76ers

How Does This Young New Frontcourt Fit Together?

In truth, we won’t get the full answer to this question over the course of the upcoming NBA season. With Joel Embiid likely out another year, the Philadelphia 76ers will be missing one of the three centers they’ve built their foundation upon. But with another lost year coming up, all Sixers fans can do in the meantime is monitor how Nerlens Noel and rookie Jahlil Okafor mesh together in the frontcourt.

Last season, Noel proved himself as a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate, averaging an impressive 13.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.1 steals per game after the All-Star break. Unfortunately, he’s not much of a go-to option on offense, and he doesn’t yet have the range to spread the floor as a 4.

This is potentially problematic, since Okafor is a traditional, back-to-the-basket big who would thrive with enough spacing. Noel won’t provide that spacing just yet, but he’ll also help cover for Okafor’s flaws on the defensive end. The Sixers admittedly improved their roster over the summer, but this is really the only thing that matters in Philly for the time being.

Next: Phoenix Suns