Nerlens Noel is clearly the odd man out in a crowded Philadelphia 76ers front court, but one of his teammates wants to see the big man get more playing time.
Following Tuesday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Joel Embiid said he would like to see Noel get more minutes. Embiid, who has primarily played alongside fellow center Jahlil Okafor, told reporters he believes he and Noel would have great chemistry on the court.
“I also want to get on the court and see what we can look like together because I like him and I want play with everybody,” Embiid said, via Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com. “I feel like if we’re trying something, I feel like we should try the other thing too. Hopefully in the future they do that.”
Noel has been taken out of the Sixers’ rotation for the foreseeable future. He logged just under seven minutes Tuesday night and had four points and three rebounds.
“Because I have some type of relationship with him, I think I’m going to get him going, especially on the defensive end,” Embiid added. “Just being aggressive, blitzing every pick-and-roll, just flying all over the place, I think we can really do that while we’re on the court. Then offensively, I’m sure we’re going to figure that out.”
Embiid also has a great relationship with Okafor, but it seems like he feels 76ers coach Brett Brown is treating Noel unfairly. That probably has something to do with the way Noel spouted off last week over his lack of playing time.
The longer the Sixers hold onto Noel, the more his trade value decreases. Interested teams can clearly see that there is not enough room in Philly for Noel, and they will likely be looking for a bargain given the reports we have heard.
