National Basketball Association

Nerlens Noel Calls Out Management: Deserves Resolution with Sixers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nerlens Noel wants answers with the teams big looming question.

The Philadelphia 76ers had to see this coming at some point. According to Keith Pompey of Philly.com, Nerlens Noel wants a resolution regarding the Sixers logjam at center. With how critical spacing the floor has become in the NBA today, there is just no way for three highly skilled centers to maximize their potential on the same roster.

“I think it’s just silly… this situation that we are in now with three starting centers”
-Noel to Pompey

The Sixers currently have Noel (acquired draft night in 2013), 2015 first round pick Jahlil Okafor, and 2014 first round pick Joel Embiid at the position. All three possess very high ceilings, if used in the right situation.

If its clarity Noel wants, it’s clarity he deserves. Noel has worked his way back from an ACL injury, shined and unselfishly worked his tail off as a defender, and has had to deal with 199 losses. Also with restricted free-agency looming for Noel, he rightfully deserves to know whats going on.

How will Colangelo and new front-office respond?

General Manager Bryan Colangelo recently appeared on The vertical Pod with Woj. During the interview, the former NBA executive of the year talked about winning and losing cultures within a team. Colangelo said;

It becomes part of the fabric of the team. I think more than anything, the mindset needed to shift; the mindset needed to change. And that’s why we’ve been talking about winning, doing everything we can to promote winning, to promote a culture of excellence.

A culture of excellence doesn’t have disgruntled teammates. Teams trying to change the mindset of young players don’t start conflict with them, it avoids it. Teams trying to promote winning don’t illogically go into a season with three starting centers, and plan on playing them all.

It remains to be seen whether or not the Sixers will make a trade involving a center. But the silence is over now. If Noel is feeling this way, one could only imagine the dominoes that will follow in place. These bigs all deserve the chance to play, and play a lot. Unfortunately for one (or more), it will not be in Philadelphia.