Noel's first points with less than 3 min. remaining in third quarter

[Irish George]

...after missing his first five shots. Eight first half turnovers. Speaking of turnovers, I turned my attention over to the Internet when the Pellicans' lead got to 20.

[Sect 236]

Not good, not good at all. The key with Noel is how he develops. Does he put on weight and develop an offensive game or does he just always remain an athletic guy who can block shots...in the meantime, he's gonna look really bad on a lot of nights.

If they get Okafor, developing Noel might be someone else's problem.

[Irish George]

New Orleans played last night

Not good, not good at all. The key with Noel is how he develops. Does he put on weight and develop an offensive game or does he just always remain an athletic guy who can block shots...in the meantime, he's gonna look really bad on a lot of nights.

If they get Okafor, developing Noel might be someone else's problem.

and these guys are still getting beaten to loose balls and getting thumped on the boards. Just not seeing the energy.

[Sect 236]

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have nights that I question being all-in on the current plan.

Trying to keep the faith though.

[D Leff]

If they get Okafor, developing Noel might be someone else's problem.

This is what really makes me think this team is going fuckin nowhere. The few young pieces we already have (Noel & MCW), people are always talking about trading them. I mean, isn't this what they are tanking for? They get these high picks and everyone wants to trade them. They have been dog shit for how long now and what do they have to show for it? An injured big man and more trade bait?

[rothdawg]

To be fair, Noel has only played a half season in College and a half season in the NBA. Too early to write him off. Plus, that 2013 draft was just terrible, Noel's been more productive this season than 4 of the 5 guys who went ahead of him.

MCW can get lost, though.

[Diggle]

judging Noel on a game by game basis is misguided. this is a marathon, not a sprint. Dude is playing his first season on the worst team in the NBA.

[Sect 236]

Noel is leading all rookies in rebounds, steals and blocks per game. There's still a lot of obvious holes to his game, but he's got natural ability that can hopefully he developed by Brown and Co.

[McCarthy12]

I agree with this. I think it is more fair to assume it will be mostly rocky and look to see flashes of promise (which I have seen).

[D Leff]

It's what I'm thinking, I just don't know why everyone (that I see) wants to get rid of these guys... and not just picking on Sect. I'll admit that I have no clue how they are going to pan out.

[Sect 236]

Who do I want to get rid of? I said if the Sixers get Okafor, and they have Embiid with Saric coming over, then Noel would be the odd man out. If they get D'Angelo Russell, Emmanuel Mudiay or Stanley Johnson, then Noel remains a valuable part of the rebuild and stays a Sixer.

[McCarthy12]

I could see them getting rid of MCW if they can upgrade there. He does a lot of things well but he can't really shoot and he turns the ball over too much for my liking. I like Noel. However, if you are in a position to draft Okafor then maybe you consider moving him. It's all about Embiid. He has to pan out. Add Saric and this year's draft class and then you need to start seeing improvement.

I would hope that next season they are putting a team on the court that fans can actually get excited about. Not even necessarily a playoff team, but a team that flashes talent.

[D Leff]

I didn't want it to seem like I just talking about you, you only mentioned Noel.

[Irish George]

nor can I judge Okafor on the three times I've seen him

judging Noel on a game by game basis is misguided. this is a marathon, not a sprint. Dude is playing his first season on the worst team in the NBA.

...I have seen a lot more of Noel. Sure, he is a virtual rookie but we're almost halfway through the season. I'd like to see more energy and fire out of him on the offensive end. Its hard not to like his defense.

Okafor looks great from what I've seen so far, but again, small sample size.

[Irish George]

what do you know about Saric?

I could see them getting rid of MCW if they can upgrade there. He does a lot of things well but he can't really shoot and he turns the ball over too much for my liking. I like Noel. However, if you are in a position to draft Okafor then maybe you consider moving him. It's all about Embiid. He has to pan out. Add Saric and this year's draft class and then you need to start seeing improvement.

I would hope that next season they are putting a team on the court that fans can actually get excited about. Not even necessarily a playoff team, but a team that flashes talent.

Really who knows if this guy can play?