Sixers: Nerlens Noel Returns To Philadelphia

Feb 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with forward Nerlens Noel (4) during a break in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. The San Antonio Spurs won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with forward Nerlens Noel (4) during a break in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. The San Antonio Spurs won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sixers will see a familiar face on the court on Friday night as Nerlens Noel makes his return to the city.

There was always an immense amount of love for center Nerlens Noel from Sixers fans. It’s hard to blame them either. Noel was the first move of the famed Sam Hinkie “Process”, when the polarizing general manager flipped All-Star guard Jrue Holiday for the rights to draft Nerlens Noel and the 2014 pick that would eventually be traded for Dario Saric.

Noel missed his first season due to a torn ACL in the last month of the college season, but many had him pinned as a top talent in the draft so it was worth the risk. The first half of his rookie season, it seemed he and Rookie of the Year award winner Michael Carter-Williams didn’t mesh. Noel was still playing fairly well, averaging 8.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, but it felt like his potential wasn’t being maximized.

That was until the Sixers acquired Ish Smith after the Carter-Williams trade. Noel and Smith seemed to be unbreakable on the court. Smith found Noel for an alley-oop or an easy layup on what seemed to be almost every possession. Noel’s counting stats saw a dramatic jump in the second half of the season. He averaged 13.1 points and 10.0 rebounds in the last half of the year, but his defense was energized as well.

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Noel was always known for his defensive prowess, but how productive he’d be so soon was underestimated. Steals, blocks, switching onto guards. It all came together right away. It’s what made Noel so effective and what pushed the Sixers forward when he was on the court. It’s what had many dreaming of an eventual front-court of Noel and Joel Embiid.

Noel was put into a predicament like none other. In Sam Hinkie’s quest to collect valued assets, Noel found himself as one of three center prospects on the same team. Last season, Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor failed to mesh, and the two were mentioned in trade talks constantly. It was a draining season for the Sixers, as they won just 10 games while watching two top ten picks fail to effectively play together even in short stints.

The expected debut of Joel Embiid this season put another wrinkle into the situation, and Noel wasn’t shy about sharing his thoughts on the situation. “I think it’s just silly,  this situation that we are in now with three starting centers,” said Noel in an interview with Philly.com’s Keith Pompey. It was the first salvo of the long drama made for TV, but Noel stayed adamant about the Sixers figuring out the center situation.

Well, the Sixers eventually made a choice. Nerlens Noel was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Justin Anderson and two future second-round picks. As always with Noel, it caused an immense debate if the team made the right choice. But the Sixers would now move forward without the start of the process, as he was set to bring in huge offer sheets in restricted free agency.

As expected, Noel has fit in to his new home well. In seven games, Noel has averaged 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds off the bench as the Mavericks storm towards the eighth seed in the Western Conference. They’ll have a tough time doing so, but Noel’s biggest game of his career to date will come Friday night in Philadelphia. Returning to the team and city he grew with the past three and a half seasons, Noel will look to make an impact in his old stomping grounds.

But not before showing his love. Noel hosted a fan event, where he bought Philadelphians some cheesesteaks. Hundreds went out to see the former Sixer, because the love will never be lost on either sides. Fans will remember the times Noel was the main attraction during three seasons of losing, and Noel remember the constant support.

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The result of the game means little for the Sixers on Friday night, but the roar of the crowd for when Nerlens Noel steps on the court will shine through. This return will be bittersweet, but Noel made his place in Sixers history, no matter how short-lived his stint was with the city.