What spot will he be in? Okafor isn't a center, although he could play some minutes there, but he's a 4.
- MJL

Noel and Okafor can both play center.

The league has changed since you last watched in the 90s. Positions aren't important. You look for mismatches to exploit. Warriors just won a title with a 6'7 starting center.

Noel and Okafor can both play center.

The league has changed since you last watched in the 90s. Positions aren't important. You look for mismatches to exploit. Warriors just won a title with a 6'7 starting center.
- PhillySportsGuy

They can play center part time and share some minutes there, but neither player is a center. You have no idea what I've watched. It's basketball, positions are always important. Both Noel and Okafor are better fits for the the 4 spot, rather than the 5 spot. If Embiid actually plays, then I don't like those 3 as the front court mix for starters. They need a better shooter in the 3 hole.
It's not about what other teams have done, it's about how those specific players fit together. If Embiid actually is able to play at any point, I'd look to make a trade to get a better mix.

They can play center part time and share some minutes there, but neither player is a center. You have no idea what I've watched. It's basketball, positions are always important. Both Noel and Okafor are better fits for the the 4 spot, rather than the 5 spot. If Embiid actually plays, then I don't like those 3 as the front court mix for starters. They need a better shooter in the 3 hole.
It's not about what other teams have done, it's about how those specific players fit together. If Embiid actually is able to play at any point, I'd look to make a trade to get a better mix.
- MJL

You should be GM of every team in Philly. You know so much.

You should be GM of every team in Philly. You know so much.
- PhillySportsGuy

Do you not comment on the Sixers and the Flyers? Does the same apply to you?

I'd rather discuss the teams and the players, rather than the posters on HB!

My thing is when do they start winning.

If Embid is out another year that just pushes it back more. Also for all the talk about the picks he keeps acquiring, which ones have become anything. MCW was traded for a Lakers 1st rounder that isn't going to be anything special. It was lottery protected and next season they will be better and pick will fall out of top 10 probably.
- J35Bacher

MCW is average, at best. there has been rumors that the Bucks were going to deal him....he wasnt a big lose. Although the Sixers werent able to use the LA pick this year, the LAkers still stink and in a stacked West probably wont make the playoffs. Hopefully, their not bottom 3 bad. This pick still holds a lot of value, even though the Sixers havent gotten "immediate" help by trading MCW

They can play center part time and share some minutes there, but neither player is a center. You have no idea what I've watched. It's basketball, positions are always important. Both Noel and Okafor are better fits for the the 4 spot, rather than the 5 spot. If Embiid actually plays, then I don't like those 3 as the front court mix for starters. They need a better shooter in the 3 hole.
It's not about what other teams have done, it's about how those specific players fit together. If Embiid actually is able to play at any point, I'd look to make a trade to get a better mix.
- MJL

where are you getting this Noel playing the 3 stuff??

where are you getting this Noel playing the 3 stuff??
- Crimsoninja

Sixers have 3 centers but none of them can play center

Sixers have 3 centers but none of them can play center
- PhillySportsGuy

so screwed

where are you getting this Noel playing the 3 stuff??
- Crimsoninja

If Embiid, Okafor, and Noel were all on the court at the same time, Noel would be in the 3 spot in my opinion, which I don't think he's well suited for. The point is about the mix of players in the front court. Which is why I could see the Sixers making a trade of one of those players at some point.

Sixers have 3 centers but none of them can play center
- PhillySportsGuy

Embiid is the only true center. The others could play the position part time, but shouldn't be full time centers. Both Okafor, and Noel's best position is the 4 spot

If Embiid, Okafor, and Noel were all on the court at the same time, Noel would be in the 3 spot in my opinion, which I don't think he's well suited for. The point is about the mix of players in the front court. Which is why I could see the Sixers making a trade of one of those players at some point.
- MJL

there are 96 minutes per game to be distributed to the 4 and the 5

i dont think the plan is ever to have all three of them on the court at one time

there are 96 minutes per game to be distributed to the 4 and the 5

i dont think the plan is ever to have all three of them on the court at one time
- Crimsoninja

That's a possibility, one of them could come off the bench. Doesn't change that I think the Sixers need some wing players, who can shoot outside, off the dribble, and penetrate. Talking about 3 top 10 picks, I don't know if it's ideal to have a player drafted that high, coming off the bench. There is still uncertainty with Embiid though.

That's a possibility, one of them could come off the bench. Doesn't change that I think the Sixers need some wing players, who can shoot outside, off the dribble, and penetrate. Talking about 3 top 10 picks, I don't know if it's ideal to have a player drafted that high, coming off the bench. There is still uncertainty with Embiid though.
- MJL

exactly.

cant even consider trading any of them until Embiid's status is more clear. And unless they start to object about how they are being used, i'd even consider keeping all three if healthy. Would be a matchup nightmare for opponents. Hinkie still has plenty of cap room and assets to acquire guards or a SF though FA or trades.

there are 96 minutes per game to be distributed to the 4 and the 5

i dont think the plan is ever to have all three of them on the court at one time
- Crimsoninja

The plan is to actually have 4 centers and a really small point guard

exactly.

cant even consider trading any of them until Embiid's status is more clear. And unless they start to object about how they are being used, i'd even consider keeping all three if healthy. Would be a matchup nightmare for opponents. Hinkie still has plenty of cap room and assets to acquire guards or a SF though FA or trades.
- Crimsoninja

I don't disagree with that, but those matchup can work against you also. They can draw one of those big guys out on the floor and take advantage of them.

I don't disagree with that, but those matchup can work against you also. They can draw one of those big guys out on the floor and take advantage of them.
- MJL

yes, but just to be clear i wasnt talking about all 3 on the floor at once. just meant rotating them in and out among the 4 and 5

I don't disagree with that, but those matchup can work against you also. They can draw one of those big guys out on the floor and take advantage of them.
- MJL

That's really what makes Noel special. He can guard any position and defend the rim.

yes, but just to be clear i wasnt talking about all 3 on the floor at once. just meant rotating them in and out among the 4 and 5
- Crimsoninja

I understood that. The fact remains that the Sixers have used 3 top draft picks to choose a center, and two power forwards. It would make sense, once the Embiid situation is worked out, to possibly swap one for a wing player to get a better mix of forwards. Do you really want a player chosen with the 6th overall pick coming off the bench? It's certainly not a bad thing, but not ideal.

That's really what makes Noel special. He can guard any position and defend the rim.
- PhillySportsGuy

I don't think Noel covering a good 3 man out on the open floor is a good matchup.

I understood that. The fact remains that the Sixers have used 3 top draft picks to choose a center, and two power forwards. It would make sense, once the Embiid situation is worked out, to possibly swap one for a wing player to get a better mix of forwards. Do you really want a player chosen with the 6th overall pick coming off the bench? It's certainly not a bad thing, but not ideal.
- MJL

honestly go back and look at the #6 overall picks in the NBA over the last 20 years.


edit: im not opposed to trading one of the big men, but i also can see it working out if hinkie decides to keep them

I don't think Noel covering a good 3 man out on the open floor is a good matchup.
- MJL

Have you watched him play? Why do you think he was projected to be #1 overall before he tore his ACL?

honestly go back and look at the #6 overall picks in the NBA over the last 20 years.


edit: im not opposed to trading one of the big men, but i also can see it working out if hinkie decides to keep them
- Crimsoninja

I don't know if that really matters. The issue is how do all 3 fit on the team? Okafor is a devastating low post offensive player. Noel has good mobility and can play away from the basket, on dribble hand offs, or pick and rolls, but he doesn't have much a jump shot at this point. Embiid is raw but with a ton of talent, but with the injury and the development time he needs, they're going to have to be patient with him. I like all 3 players, but would like a better mix up front. I don't think the Sixers made a mistake, with the way the draft broke, they had to take Okafor.

Have you watched him play? Why do you think he was projected to be #1 overall before he tore his ACL?
- PhillySportsGuy

Have you? For the same reasons that any player is projected to be a #1 draft pick. It certainly wasn't based on his offensive game.