[Aran SmithKeymaster]

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130218/SPORTS03/302180050/Nerlens-Noel-s-knee-problem-could-traced-back-season-ending-high-school-injury?nclick_check=1

Noel tore the same (left) ACL that he injured as a sophomore in HS. The article mentions that there are questions about whether the initial injury was allowed to heal properly, due to returning to the court too quickly, which went against the advice of his doctors. If there’s any chance that the knee has degenerative damage, wouldn’t teams be afraid that the knee is susceptible to future injury and chronic problems?

Granted it’s a weak field, but…..after reading this article, should we all be so quick to dismiss the possible effect of the injury on Nerlens’ draft stock?

[WizardofOzParticipant]

I have no idea why the stanchion on Florida’s court is so close to the baseline. If it was farther back, the injury would’ve never happened. It’s a shame too because I had him as the the #1 prospect (and still do).

Anyway, teams are going to have to have a thorough look at Noel’s knee during the pre-draft process.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

If Brandon Roy’s knees gave teams reason to fear drafting him I can’t see why Noel won’t cause at least as much concern.

Is Noel’s upside so great that a team takes a chance with a high draft pick when they could end up with a post injury Greg Oden? I wouldn’t want to be the GM wasting/risking a lottery pick on him.

[JoeWolf1]

I couldn’t agree more, especially since he would only be about 4 months into his rehab when the draft takes place. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that he should be a 8-14 pick for a team like Charlotte ( who has multiple lotto picks ) or Pheonix ( multiple picks, and who has some front court depth already). I think if a 20 win team takes him with 2 or 3, it will be a huge mistake.

[tbp82Participant]

If that is the case and he starts to drop to 8-14 I could see teams starting to try to trade up for him. I’m talking the smart winning teams like The Spurs. Teams mentioned passing on Noel would prove why they are picking that high anyway. Wouldn’t put it past the Thunder taking him around ten with the pick from The Raptors either. The smart teams will talke Noel the teams at the top of the lottery that pass on him can stay at the top of the lottery.

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

I guess this sort of changes things for me but I still can’t see him dropping past 6 unless he mesures at sub 6’8 without shoes. Two ACL’s in 3 years is a good reason to be concerned. No matter what he wouldn’t get past the Thunder’s T.O. pick.

I still think he is special and ever since casual purgatory/mediocrity became poison in the League, special trumps average. I still thinks if teams could do it over they would pick Drummond (for sure) and Waiters over Barnes and Robinson. Even Beal who I would have picked over Waiters pre draft has that feel that he is gonna to be on a list of “One of the best guys to never make an All Star Game”. A really bad team like Charlotte should pass (plus Biyombo mimmicks some of what he does) and Orlando needs a leader because Jameer’s time is almost up (Smart but he needs a big tourney) and Washington has the hugest hole at the three and should compete for late lottery or 8th seed next year barring injury, so Porter would be the best bet. Wash if healthy won’t have a shot at one of those top wings in the 2014 draft. If Porter is not there I still don’t see how Cleveland passes on Noel.

If not there the Seamento SuperKings would be wise to pair him with Cousins. As much as I love Cousins game, he has like a 20 inch vertical at best. I like Chuck Hayes but he and Marcus Thornton are the same height, so they could use some length and explosion. Plus they can’t sniff a 8th seed because they would lose their pick to Cleveland next year. They would have promise and synergy on their side if they move and I think Noel would help fit that bill. Plus it puts a all effort shot blocker next to Cousins, who could guard the player with less skill or the bruiser and Noel could take the big or wing player with quick feet.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

That’s scary… I never like to hear about a broken growth plate in your knees, since your knees/legs bear so much weight. Then throw in the fact he didn’t follow the doctor’s advice. We don’t know what type of damage (wear and tear) has been done to his knee and in what areas. We don’t know if he has one leg that’s a little longer than the other, similar to Greg Oden. That in itself could lead to more injuries, especially with your back.

This guy’s knee could be a ticking time bomb and this ACL tear may be the first of injuries to come.

This guy isn’t really all that skilled or fundamentally sound. He’s mainly a run and jump athlete… And with these injuries, I don’t know if I’d even take him in the lottery.

[TheArtistPaysthePriceParticipant]

The down side is you can’t expect him to put on healthy weight over the next few years also because it would further compromise his knees.

Even if he can’t walk by draft time I still see him in the lottery.

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