Philadelphia 76ers Thread

[mp3]

That's the problem with McGee is that he has a career of goal tending and head scattering moment's.

Cannon on the other hand I think it's still early days on him, so far since the deadline I've watched all the Sixers games (possible dynasty team coming) and yes he is a shoot first pg who doesn't really seem interested so far in making plays for teammates, kind of reminds me of a poor man's Nate Robinson.

I really like the work that Thomas Robinson has being putting in and I am surprised at how good his handle is too.

[NovU]

Canaan suddenly came to a life, against Westbrook. Too bad they couldn't win. That 4th quarter...

Let's see if he can build on this nice game. Must be a nice confidence boost.

[NovU]

76ers are playing quite well I'm surprised. Ish Smith is a real deal? And this Noel is just nice. It's too bad though Embiid allegedly is suffering from a set back in his journey back from the injury.

[Kevin]

Canaan/Covington duo is gonna be great.

[Spree#8]

Ish Smith is a real deal?

A shorter version of Wroten, except with less finishing ability, a lot less getting to the free throw line and more awareness of his teammates. His speed lets him get to the paint, the defense collapses on him, he kicks it out and creates some kind of shots for people, seems to have developed a pretty nice chemistry with Noel. That's already a lot more than Canaan can do in terms of playmaking, so it looks like it's settled - Ish Smith is the best (healthy) point guard Philly has right now.

And this Noel is just nice.

He is. A lot more in control and aggressive since the All-Star break, too. Catches passes all of a sudden, looks much more confident in his jumpers and moves around the basket and continues to be even better than advertised on the defensive end. Allows just over 45% FG at rim (9th best among players who defend at least 7 FGA at rim per game), improves the Sixers' defense by about 5 DRtg and is the only player in the league in top10 in both blocks and steals. Not many bigmen in this league's history have had this kind of impact as 20-year old rookies.

I hope enough people notice what he's doing so that he at least challenges Wiggins for ROTY. I'm not expecting Noel to win it, even though it could be argued that the only thing Wiggins has over him at this point is PPG.

It's too bad though Embiid allegedly is suffering from a set back in his journey back from the injury.

Old news. The walking boot has since been removed and Embiid's been given the green light to increase his training load.

Canaan/Covington duo is gonna be great.

Optimistic about Canaan. His shooting is streaky and when he's not making shots, he's a liability on both ends as he is well below average at literally everything else.

Covington would benefit from playing as many minutes as possible with Smith as Ish can actually get dudes a few open looks here and there. Since MCW's been traded, all Covington is throwing up is contested garbage because he's now officially the only Sixer opposing defenses gameplan against. I suppose the elbow injury on the shooting arm he suffered a while ago isn't helping him, either. Anyway, he needs somebody to create shots for him because his own shot creation capabilities are rather limited. Canaan is not that somebody.

[NovU]

Just wondering, what is Noel's role on offense? Is coach running ISO through him? Is that the reason why his percentage is low? Or is he just not finishing well enough or taking mid ranges? If this kid can find ways to finish at high percentage and become efficient big, he'll be a great fit for almost any winning team. Perhaps I am thinking ideally Brandon Wright or Ibaka type of guy on offense.

There's good reasons to rave about his defensive numbers though. It's looking very nice, do-it-all guy possibility.


Another thing that I wonder is his underdeveloped looking physique. His frame looks like overgrown body of 9 year old. Basically Bosh's body looks like Noel's on steroid which I think is affecting his rebounding. I'm interested to see how his physique will age with time. It's kinda intriguing because he's 20.

[Spree#8]

Just wondering, what is Noel's role on offense? Is coach running ISO through him?

On occasion, yes. When he does, Noel will usually receive the ball posted up, then face up and either shoot a jumper or attempt to blow by the defender. He's having more success lately, but it's obviously not his ideal role. His p&r game with Smith is looking promising.

Is that the reason why his percentage is low? Or is he just not finishing well enough or taking mid ranges?

A bit of both. The first two months of the season, Noel was likely the worst offensive player in the league. He would blow layups, brick free throws, drop passes and miss jumpers. He has made significant strides towards being a neutral or even small positive impact guy on offense, though. Like I already said, he no longer drops easy passes, makes jumpers more often and blows less layups. Post-deadline, he's also shooting almost 70% from the foul line.

The mid-range jumpers definitely aren't good for his efficiency numbers, but it's not like he's shooting the team out of games with it. He needs to take a few in game situations if he's ever going to shoot it reliably, so I don't mind it. Working towards fitting with Embiid is more important than a win or two this season anyway. Then again, according to the coaching staff, Embiid has 3-point range and is currently the 2nd best shooter on the team. I'd still rather use him in the post as much as possible, but it's intriguing at least.

Another thing that I wonder is his underdeveloped looking physique. His frame looks like overgrown body of 9 year old. Basically Bosh's body looks like Noel's on steroid which I think is affecting his rebounding. I'm interested to see how his physique will age with time. It's kinda intriguing because he's 20.

That's improved lately, too. Post-deadline he's averaging 9.7 rebounds per game in 32.6 minutes. Still not elite level, which I don't think he'll ever accomplish, but it's serviceable. He still struggles against more physical guys (Cousins was killing him the other night), which is no shock. That isn't helping with rebound battles and neither is the fact that he'll always look to contest shots at the rim, which sometimes leaves him out of position to get the rebound. Ideally, he wouldn't have to compensate so much for perimeter guys getting blown by all the time, but it is what it is for now.

In terms of physical profile, I'm thinking more Garnett than Bosh. I don't remember Bosh ever being so explosive, but the weight comparison certainly makes some sense.

[shadowgrin]

according to the coaching staff, Embiid has 3-point range and is currently the 2nd best shooter on the team

omg Tank City season 3.

Embiid improves his range and shooting while management gets its wish to tank again because of it.
Win-win next season!

[NovU]

RJ Bell
‏@RJinVegas
FIRST TIME #76ers favored this entire season: Philadelphia -6 over #Knicks

They're favored by a whopping six points for Tank Bowl II tonight. The Knicks won/lost Tank Bowl I with the Wolves scoring more points than them on Thursday, so they are currently sitting in the top spot for the best chance to win the NBA lottery. As for the 76ers, they're playing some better basketball and there's good chance coach Brett Brown will shake up his starting lineup.

[NovU]

Looks like amazing Noel had a field day against the Knicks. Career high points scored efficiently and 14 rebounds, impressively half of them on offensive end. Best part about the game was 5 steals and 3 blocks. How do you get these Unibrow-at-best like numbers as a rookie.

Only downside was that this one was against the worst team in the league with possibly the worst front court rotation. Nonetheless, I like this Noel.

[shadowgrin]

The potential chemistry of Okafor and Noel is making me hard.

https://www.facebook.com/Sixers/videos/ ... 838057516/