[joe2324Participant]

 The sixers have 3 centers and although 1 has not played, he has potential to be a star but his status is unknown at the moment. Okafor has incredible post moves and his offensive game in the post is light years ahead of even 10 year vets at the position. Noel, on the other hand, is a bit smaller, but kind of reminds me of Marcus Camby which is never a bad comparision. Both of these guys cannot be on the floor at the same time which is clear by watching them this year. The wildcard in all this is Embiid who could turn out to be better than both of them on the offensive side and defensive side, but we have no clue what we’re getting due to injuries. I think for the sixers 2 of these guys have to go and you need veterans and free agents to come – NOT DRAFT PICKS. If you had to pick 1 of these guys which one would it be and why? Your basically cleaning up Sam Hinkies giant mess he created. 

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 If I had to pick one I would go with Okafor. Embiid seeems to risky with his injury status at the moment and the recent downfall in production from Noel doesn’t beat Jahlil. Okafor’s post skill and health seperates him from the others but I do worry about his off court decisions.

[joe2324Participant]

I see your point on Okafor, but have u seen how well Noel and team performed when Noel was starting at center?  

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 Yes I have but Okafor has more offensive upside.

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 Yes I have but Okafor has more offensive upside.

[joe2324Participant]

I see your point on Okafor, but have u seen how well Noel and team performed when Noel was starting at center?  

[BallerScriptParticipant]

 If I had to pick one I would go with Okafor. Embiid seeems to risky with his injury status at the moment and the recent downfall in production from Noel doesn’t beat Jahlil. Okafor’s post skill and health seperates him from the others but I do worry about his off court decisions.

[Hype Machine]

I gotta think Noel is expendable. 

Should get very good trade value for him. 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

I gotta think Noel is expendable. 

Should get very good trade value for him. 

 

 

[joe2324Participant]

however, I would have to go with Noel as he reminds me of a young Marcus Camby. I would look to move to Okafor and try to get a point guard in return. I think we have to hold off on Embiid and see what we have. If Embiid plays to his potential, you can then move Noel and try to add a shooter. If they somehow grab the top 2 picks in the draft, they could snatch up simmons and ingram. I think a team of Simmons, Ingram, Noel, Saric possibly another point and shooting guard could make this team somewhat decent next year.  

[joe2324Participant]

however, I would have to go with Noel as he reminds me of a young Marcus Camby. I would look to move to Okafor and try to get a point guard in return. I think we have to hold off on Embiid and see what we have. If Embiid plays to his potential, you can then move Noel and try to add a shooter. If they somehow grab the top 2 picks in the draft, they could snatch up simmons and ingram. I think a team of Simmons, Ingram, Noel, Saric possibly another point and shooting guard could make this team somewhat decent next year.  

[natevalParticipant]

 I think the Sixers and Celtics will do a deal at some point. I’m guessing it would involve Smart in some form. As a Celtics fan I don’t know how I really feel about moving Smart. Smart would be a great addition for the Sixers. His defense is already great and the energy he brings when he plays is contagious.

[natevalParticipant]

 I think the Sixers and Celtics will do a deal at some point. I’m guessing it would involve Smart in some form. As a Celtics fan I don’t know how I really feel about moving Smart. Smart would be a great addition for the Sixers. His defense is already great and the energy he brings when he plays is contagious.

[GBeeParticipant]

 Noel’s not a center.  He’d get his sht pushed in with that twig-like frame of his.  Noel is frail and he lacks toughness too, which IMO is the main difference b/t he and Ty Chan, who I see his biggest supporters compare him to and hope that he becomes.  Young Chandler might’ve been skinny too, but he was feisty as hell.  Even if he was physically outmatched strengthwise he battled hard, which was one of the reasons why he was so foul prone early in his career.  I don’t see that type of same resistance from Noel, who’d rather reach and go for poke around steals than hold his ground.  Chandler was also very vocal and had the necessary intangibles to be a defensive anchor, whereas Noel doesn’t really communicate all that much.

Noel just plays better closer to the rim because he has no offensive skill.  He also plays better when there is a far less talented player sharing the frontcourt with him, but what’s good for Noel isn’t necessarily good for the team IMO. Defensively there is no reason why he can’t be a good defender at PF with his lateral quicks and recovery ability.  He just needs to play smarter, improve his awareness and quit gambling so damn much.  He still has good potential on that end, but I think his fundamentals are poor, he’s weak with a bad frame and he doesn’t strike me as a bright bulb.  There isn’t a legitimate reason why he can’t be successful at PF other than that he’s just not that good.  Everything else I read about what Noel needs sounds like a bunch of excuses.  Having an ultimate eraser at the cup is important, but a big with defensive versatility can be just as, if not more important.  Just look at the Warriors with Draymond.  Having a big who can properly defend the PnR, hedge and recover, defend in space, switch on to perimeter players and hold his own, rotate from longer distances, etc. is a huge weapon to have defensively.

I’d pump Noel up (which I think could be one of the reason why they gave up what they did for Ish) and look to flip him this summer if Embiid’s future prospects look brighter bc not only does Embiid have the potential to be that rim protector that people want Noel to be, but he also has the size and frame to hold his own, providing resistance where leverage matters.

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 the Rookie year’s of Duncan & Olijuwon the last 30 games of the year (after the MCW trade) 13.5 ppg 10.5 rpg 2.1 ast 2.3 steals & 2.5 blocks while shooting 50% FG%…… Noel finished in the top 10 in the NBA for steals & Blocks….

He is Not a great scorer, but he’s a freakishly explosive leaper & he’s a legit 6’11” – He’s a perfect Center for a team like Orlando or Golden State…. that want to run the floor & does not need their Center to score a lot…. Noel is like a grey hound in transition….

I luv Okafor’s game – in 5 years He’s Boogie Cousins w/o the bad attitude…. but the Sixers Ucked up b/c Porzingus was a MUCH better fit…. Porzingus at PF & Noel at C would have been a Great tandem…. & if Embiid returns it’s a bonus….

 But the Sixers did not want to take a risk & they Really should have b/c they claim that they want to build a team w/ pace that flourishes in transition…. Okafor is not built for that but Noel is….

Could you imagine a 7’2” Embiid at C, a 7’3” Porzingus at PF & 6’11” pogo stick Noel backing up at Both positions….

I’m not saying Porzingus is better than Okafor…. I believe all of the Top 4 picks will be really good players….. I’m just saying that based on what Phila already had…. "Zingy" was a Perfect fit for them….

 

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 Not sure about the idea of Okafor is nicer than bad attitude Cousins, Okafor has been suspended for a few things already in his short career.  

I will take Option D, don’t keep any of them and trade them for draft picks and start over.

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 Not sure about the idea of Okafor is nicer than bad attitude Cousins, Okafor has been suspended for a few things already in his short career.  

I will take Option D, don’t keep any of them and trade them for draft picks and start over.

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 the Rookie year’s of Duncan & Olijuwon the last 30 games of the year (after the MCW trade) 13.5 ppg 10.5 rpg 2.1 ast 2.3 steals & 2.5 blocks while shooting 50% FG%…… Noel finished in the top 10 in the NBA for steals & Blocks….

He is Not a great scorer, but he’s a freakishly explosive leaper & he’s a legit 6’11” – He’s a perfect Center for a team like Orlando or Golden State…. that want to run the floor & does not need their Center to score a lot…. Noel is like a grey hound in transition….

I luv Okafor’s game – in 5 years He’s Boogie Cousins w/o the bad attitude…. but the Sixers Ucked up b/c Porzingus was a MUCH better fit…. Porzingus at PF & Noel at C would have been a Great tandem…. & if Embiid returns it’s a bonus….

 But the Sixers did not want to take a risk & they Really should have b/c they claim that they want to build a team w/ pace that flourishes in transition…. Okafor is not built for that but Noel is….

Could you imagine a 7’2” Embiid at C, a 7’3” Porzingus at PF & 6’11” pogo stick Noel backing up at Both positions….

I’m not saying Porzingus is better than Okafor…. I believe all of the Top 4 picks will be really good players….. I’m just saying that based on what Phila already had…. "Zingy" was a Perfect fit for them….

 

 

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 Noel’s not a center.  He’d get his sht pushed in with that twig-like frame of his.  Noel is frail and he lacks toughness too, which IMO is the main difference b/t he and Ty Chan, who I see his biggest supporters compare him to and hope that he becomes.  Young Chandler might’ve been skinny too, but he was feisty as hell.  Even if he was physically outmatched strengthwise he battled hard, which was one of the reasons why he was so foul prone early in his career.  I don’t see that type of same resistance from Noel, who’d rather reach and go for poke around steals than hold his ground.  Chandler was also very vocal and had the necessary intangibles to be a defensive anchor, whereas Noel doesn’t really communicate all that much.

Noel just plays better closer to the rim because he has no offensive skill.  He also plays better when there is a far less talented player sharing the frontcourt with him, but what’s good for Noel isn’t necessarily good for the team IMO. Defensively there is no reason why he can’t be a good defender at PF with his lateral quicks and recovery ability.  He just needs to play smarter, improve his awareness and quit gambling so damn much.  He still has good potential on that end, but I think his fundamentals are poor, he’s weak with a bad frame and he doesn’t strike me as a bright bulb.  There isn’t a legitimate reason why he can’t be successful at PF other than that he’s just not that good.  Everything else I read about what Noel needs sounds like a bunch of excuses.  Having an ultimate eraser at the cup is important, but a big with defensive versatility can be just as, if not more important.  Just look at the Warriors with Draymond.  Having a big who can properly defend the PnR, hedge and recover, defend in space, switch on to perimeter players and hold his own, rotate from longer distances, etc. is a huge weapon to have defensively.

I’d pump Noel up (which I think could be one of the reason why they gave up what they did for Ish) and look to flip him this summer if Embiid’s future prospects look brighter bc not only does Embiid have the potential to be that rim protector that people want Noel to be, but he also has the size and frame to hold his own, providing resistance where leverage matters.

 

[markfitz14Participant]

 Well we can definetely see Noel plays better when not on the floor at the same time as Okafor. Noel needs to play mostly center or down low for put backs and ally oops, and dunks. Another month from now we may know more becuase he was supposedly his wrists were hurting him earlier in the year. So maybe he was just injured. 

I don’t think Hinkie falls in love with anyone that doesn’t fit the system he wants. Since he traded MCW the rookie of the year. The system is still to be determined though smh. I would put both on the block and make a trade if I got a good deal. I would make a deal for one of them as early as now or stay pat and wait until summer makes no difference.

I would perfer to keep Okafor becasue a player who can score is harder to come by. 

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

 Well we can definetely see Noel plays better when not on the floor at the same time as Okafor. Noel needs to play mostly center or down low for put backs and ally oops, and dunks. Another month from now we may know more becuase he was supposedly his wrists were hurting him earlier in the year. So maybe he was just injured. 

I don’t think Hinkie falls in love with anyone that doesn’t fit the system he wants. Since he traded MCW the rookie of the year. The system is still to be determined though smh. I would put both on the block and make a trade if I got a good deal. I would make a deal for one of them as early as now or stay pat and wait until summer makes no difference.

I would perfer to keep Okafor becasue a player who can score is harder to come by. 

 

 

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Okafor and Noel have actually had some nice moments together. The real problem was getting the ball inside to one of them since TJ McConnell was running the point and there was no spacing around them, which is necessary for these bigs to have room to operate inside. Okafor would get the ball in the post with Noel around the foul like, and if Okafor draws the double he passes to Noel who can either cut, attack his recovering man, or spot up (Yes, I know he can’t shoot but he’s young and still developing). If Okafor’s defender plays him straight up Noel can crash, something he is adept at. If Noel receives the pass at the foul line instead of it going to Okafor in the post, he was attack and finishing himself or drawing defenders and hitting Okafor for lobs or easy lay ins.

These are actions I’ve seen run with success in the limited amount of time I’ve watched the Sixers and I think it’s foolish to give up on the pairing before January 1, especially with the roster surrounding them. Maybe they won’t play 40 minutes a night together if they are both on the team when things start to turn around but Noel and Okafor should be able to play together with success at both ends for at least 20 mpg. 

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Okafor and Noel have actually had some nice moments together. The real problem was getting the ball inside to one of them since TJ McConnell was running the point and there was no spacing around them, which is necessary for these bigs to have room to operate inside. Okafor would get the ball in the post with Noel around the foul like, and if Okafor draws the double he passes to Noel who can either cut, attack his recovering man, or spot up (Yes, I know he can’t shoot but he’s young and still developing). If Okafor’s defender plays him straight up Noel can crash, something he is adept at. If Noel receives the pass at the foul line instead of it going to Okafor in the post, he was attack and finishing himself or drawing defenders and hitting Okafor for lobs or easy lay ins.

These are actions I’ve seen run with success in the limited amount of time I’ve watched the Sixers and I think it’s foolish to give up on the pairing before January 1, especially with the roster surrounding them. Maybe they won’t play 40 minutes a night together if they are both on the team when things start to turn around but Noel and Okafor should be able to play together with success at both ends for at least 20 mpg. 

[HitsterParticipant]

Okafor needs to play C on offence given his post game and whilst he may not be the sort of defender someone his size could be, he is possibly better on defence at C too. Noel can play inside and outside on defence but has to play outside as Okafor would get torched by some of the better shooting PF’s.

Noel has always reminded me a bit of Serge Ibaka, a skinny shot blocker with great athleticism but he ends up playing PF due to bigger guys on the roster. We haven’t really seen Noel’s inside game as Okafor plays there a lot of the time.

Embliid is the wildcard here a guy who can play outside or inside and who could be a potentially dominant big man. If you get him fit and you have a 3 man option then it all suddenly sort of fits together:-

Embliid-Noel could swap on offence as Embliid has shooting range so if Noel is better by the basket this can be exploited.

Embliid- Okafor on offence would be Okafor in the post and Embliid playing mid range around him.

Noel – Embliid on defence would logically be Embliid as the anchor and Noel on perimeter but they could swap as a PF would have a job getting a shot off with Embliid in front of him around the 3 point line and I think Embliid would have the speed to match quicker PFs.

Embliid-Okafor on defence would be interesting as there would be a lot of logic to put Embliid on the perimeter but you could actually but Okafor on the perimeter and almost dare the PF’s to shoot with Embliid guarding the basket.

 

[HitsterParticipant]

Okafor needs to play C on offence given his post game and whilst he may not be the sort of defender someone his size could be, he is possibly better on defence at C too. Noel can play inside and outside on defence but has to play outside as Okafor would get torched by some of the better shooting PF’s.

Noel has always reminded me a bit of Serge Ibaka, a skinny shot blocker with great athleticism but he ends up playing PF due to bigger guys on the roster. We haven’t really seen Noel’s inside game as Okafor plays there a lot of the time.

Embliid is the wildcard here a guy who can play outside or inside and who could be a potentially dominant big man. If you get him fit and you have a 3 man option then it all suddenly sort of fits together:-

Embliid-Noel could swap on offence as Embliid has shooting range so if Noel is better by the basket this can be exploited.

Embliid- Okafor on offence would be Okafor in the post and Embliid playing mid range around him.

Noel – Embliid on defence would logically be Embliid as the anchor and Noel on perimeter but they could swap as a PF would have a job getting a shot off with Embliid in front of him around the 3 point line and I think Embliid would have the speed to match quicker PFs.

Embliid-Okafor on defence would be interesting as there would be a lot of logic to put Embliid on the perimeter but you could actually but Okafor on the perimeter and almost dare the PF’s to shoot with Embliid guarding the basket.

 

[CobraParticipant]

They should look to trade Okafor. Noel could play a low usage but efficient offensive game and provide elite defense and is a better rebounder than Okafor. Okafor’s inability to defend in space is a fatal flaw in the new pace/space era. Embiid is a wildcard. He’ll have to stay healthy for at least two years before you go all in building around him. They have been playing so much better with Noel at center with Okafor off the court it’s crazy.

[CobraParticipant]

They should look to trade Okafor. Noel could play a low usage but efficient offensive game and provide elite defense and is a better rebounder than Okafor. Okafor’s inability to defend in space is a fatal flaw in the new pace/space era. Embiid is a wildcard. He’ll have to stay healthy for at least two years before you go all in building around him. They have been playing so much better with Noel at center with Okafor off the court it’s crazy.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Noel is slept on, but he’s way better than Okafor.  Defensively it’s no contest.  Noel is a better rebounder, too.  As far as offense?  Sure it’s Okafor, but until he learns when to shoot and to stop turning the ball over so much, I’d prefer the low usage guy.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 Noel is slept on, but he’s way better than Okafor.  Defensively it’s no contest.  Noel is a better rebounder, too.  As far as offense?  Sure it’s Okafor, but until he learns when to shoot and to stop turning the ball over so much, I’d prefer the low usage guy.

[Author]

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