National Basketball Association

Philadelphia 76ers Nerlens Noel Must Earn Top NBA Center Contract

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:50 p.m. ET

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Circumstances of Philadelphia 76ers’ center position do not make it easy, but Nerlens Noel has made a difficult situation precariously challenging. To get his big payday next season, Nerlens Noel needs to play his way back atop NBA

Nerlens Noel is an outstanding young NBA center. On the other hand, he is not a very good gambler. So far, he has taken risks with his career that has not helped and may have actually hurt his future. You see, he is one of three starting caliber centers currently on the roster of the Philadelphia 76ers. He plays at the same position as that of Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor.

And there is the rub.

I can speculate about the decisions Nerlens Noel has made leading up to this season. As a matter of fact, I can question the logic of calling out the front office in his contract year. Even beyond that, I can scratch my head in bewilderment at the decision to opt for surgery just as the NBA season opened. With two centers already on minutes restrictions, this was Nerlens Noel’s curtain call. Instead, he remained backstage, working the curtains. It was his moment in the spotlight. He dashed to the shadows.

And now, he needs to find his way back.

It’s not an easy task to do right now. Veteran Elton Brand tried to guide Noel privately. When that failed, he did so publicly.

Still, a young man sets his own course. For now, the biggest challenge is setting that course under the shadow of Joel Embiid.

Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and Chicago Bulls guard Justin Holiday (7) attempt to get a loose ball during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Play Within Himself

Joel Embiid is on track to become a franchise player in the NBA. As a matter of fact, it’s virtually impossible NOT to watch him on the basketball court. He’s just that good.

Meanwhile, Jahlil Okafor is a scorer. While he has certainly plenty of debate going about his basketball awareness, defense, and athleticism, he can create offense. He can dominate at the post, create shots, beat double teams, and appear natural in the effort.

And then there is Nerlens Noel. Nerlens Noel is not a top NBA scorer. In fact, Nerlens Noel continues working on his shot selection and arsenal. But there is likely a ceiling on Noel’s offense that falls below that of Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor. So what niche can Noel carve for himself to restore himself to relevance?

Nerlens Noel is a defensive standout in the NBA. Is it enough to justify his spot on an NBA roster? We pondered long and hard about the possibilities of a future Philadelphia 76ers team without Noel. Since then, the team has exchanged Jerami Grant for the services of veteran Ersan Ilyasova. Whereas Grant was stronger defensively, Ilyasova has brought offense and range to the lineup.

The Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown has emphasized defense this season. In the absence of Grant, with the offensive struggles of Covington, and with the lack of playing time of Holmes, Noel still has a vacuum on this roster to fill. He could either fill minutes at center with Ilyasova or Saric at the power forward, or he could slide out to the four to give the team a tremendous defensive duo of Embiid and Noel. Great potential exists with Noel on the team roster this season, more than many realize.

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dribbles the ball during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Keys to the future

The key to his future rests in how he responds to the distractions of an NBA player’s day-to-day routine. You know, like the team showcasing the other two centers at the same time with surprisingly effective results?

Or by tuning out the endless stream of NBA rumors that tie him to the Portland Trailblazers, or the Chicago Bulls, or even the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s clear that virtually every NBA team has or will pick up the phone and window shop for the Philadelphia 76ers center.

But window shopping leads to wish lists. Nerlens Noel cannot allow himself to lose focus at this critical intersection. All he can do is elevate his game. Do that, and the rest will take care of itself.

To which level? The bar for elite defensive NBA centers hovers around a Roy Hibbert and Dwight Howard level. Hibbert’s play is sunsetting, but in his prime, he was a solid center for the Indiana Pacers. He scored 12+ points, rebounds 8+, assists 2 and blocked 2+ per game at his apex. He was earning $14 Million a year in a tighter salary cap market. Noel must do at least these numbers this season to be on track.

Howard’s play is even more impressive. Averaging 17.7 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game over 13 NBA seasons. While Noel does not score at those levels, he has proven himself capable of those defensive statistics.

Apr 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) dunks during the fourth quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 109-108 in OT. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

Noel’s Career Benefits By Foundation Laid Today

Free Agency is the epitome of free market mechanics. Sometimes it’s not always about what you do on the basketball court, but what you do off the court.

Can you contribute in a supporting role? Do you lend your expertise to younger teammates? Do you contribute positively to the community? Do you know when to lead and when to follow?

It’s a true test of 24 hours 7 days a week marketing. Right now, Nerlens Noel has some major image damage to repair. All of the goodwill he banked by cross-training as power forward in anticipation of playing alongside Joel Embiid is now a debt.

More from The Sixer Sense

Let me be clear in my respect and admiration for this young man. He came to the Philadelphia 76ers, played lights out as a rookie, demonstrated incredible maturity and resilience by working towards a power forward role last season. I get it that he has reached saturation.

But the NBA compensates rather handsomely for all of those factors, plus some. It’s not a money matter at all, and that must click for Noel today, here and now, if he is to truly earn his place in the NBA annals.

There is a natural ebb and flow cycle. The ebb gives time to train, to prepare, to focus. The flow provides the spotlight, the big contract, the prestige and fame. Without proper ebb, the flow vanishes rapidly.

Now is the time for Nerlens Noel to focus inwards, to prepare, to train, to focus. Whether or not he buys in on the basketball analytics approach used by the Philadelphia 76ers, he must exhaust all of it’s benefits.

I will never be as talented as Nerlens Noel on a basketball court, and I will likely never have an annual earnings in his income bracket.

But I recognize this fork in the road for the young basketball center. The true test of a man’s integrity is what he chooses to do at his peak, and at his worst. Nerlens Noel faces a challenging path with the Philadelphia 76ers this season.

It may pulverize his career like a lump of coal smashed by the blow of a sledge hammer. Or it might harden his resolve, and he may emerge as a diamond. The NBA is neutral. Only the strong-hearted can forge their careers among the competition. Nerlens Noel can look forward to his big payday, but he must earn a top NBA center’s contract.

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