Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers believe it'll be 'a tremendous challenge' pairing Okafor and Noel

Published Sep. 24, 2015 11:31 a.m. ET

foxsports

When the Sixers selected Jahlil Okafor with the third overall pick in this summer's draft, it wasn't their preferred course of action.

Most projections had the Lakers snatching up Okafor at two, which would have been ideal for Philadelphia because D'Angelo Russell would have fallen to them at three -- and the team was (and still is) in desperate need of help at the point guard position.

But the draft-day strategy under Sam Hinkie has always been to select the best player available, and Okafor was certainly that, despite the fact that he's a duplication of sorts in terms of the talent already in place on the roster.

Head coach Brett Brown acknowledged that fact when speaking to reporters this week, and is keeping expectations low for a successful pairing of Okafor with Nerlens Noel, at least to start the regular season.

(h/t: The Intelligencer)

[Brown]understands it'll be "a tremendous challenge" pairing Okafor and Noel down low due to their preferences to play inside at both ends of the floor and that the duo has yet to play 5-on-5 together.