National Basketball Association

Was Nerlens Noel Making a Statement During Media Day?

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

foxsports

Nerlens Noel came into the Philadelphia 76ers media day with an agenda. He was looking to make a statement to the team and fans.

When Nerlens Noel came in and sat down to address the media on Monday for the Philadelphia 76ers media day before training camp, he looked different. Not just comparing him to his look last season — he traded in his flat top for Sway Lee-like twists, a style much of the Sixers roster is going for now — but compared to the rest of his teammates.

Not many people were able to pick it out, but Noel was one of the only players on the Sixers roster who addressed the media without a Sixers jersey or piece of apparel on. That might not seem like much, but with the added context of Noel saying that having him, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid on a roster would definitely not work out just the day before, it kind of seems like Noel had an agenda of sorts.

All other players spoke to the media in their fresh, white Sixers jerseys, or at least Sixers workout gear (Jahlil Okafor had just a Sixers shirt on). Noel came out with his new hairstyle and an NBPA shirt.

First pointed out to us by Trill Walton, a Twitter user, the idea started to get some traction.

Worth noting: Noel was the only player not to wear #sixers gear at media day. Opted for a NBPA shirt instead. pic.twitter.com/5MIQMbjJds

— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) September 26, 2016

Was there any solid reasoning for this? It really seems like Noel was making a statement to the Sixers. He’s already been through three incredibly awful losing seasons, and now to be lowered to a level where he has to compete with two other starting-caliber centers? That doesn’t seem fair.

One might think that the shirt idea is a stretch, but let’s consider some of the things he said during media day. “It can only get better.” He said multiple times that he didn’t think the three-center situation would work out.

Luckily, there was a glimmer of hope and positivity. Noel said that, “I love the fans from the city of Philadelphia.”

If we’re being honest, the situations Noel has been put in are not fair, and if that’s the statement Noel wants to make, he’s completely justified in that.

But if Noel does want to be a part of this team, he needs to dive right in and make sure that he’s dedicated. He needs to ensure that he’s making the right statement. Elton Brand already told Noel this summer that he needs to not be an outsider, and isolating yourself from the team with a statement like this is not really one of the best ways to do that.

Hopefully the Noel situation plays itself out. I don’t see any way a trade occurs before the season begins, but teams like the Miami Heat may be looking for a big man.