Some Thoughts on the Future of the Sixers

Last night the Sixers won maybe their best victory of the season, beating the Nets 108-107 in an exciting game of teams going nowhere. Joel Embiid simply took over, dumping 33 points and 10 boards on Brooklyn, and re-affirming that he is the future in Philadelphia. That really wasn't a question though, even if this performance was a welcome sign of Embiid rising towards stardom.

The real news about this game had nothing to do with Embiid. Nerlens Noel is now basically benched by Brett Brown, which he claims is a basketball move, but really feels like a coach keeping a tight grip on the locker room. Meanwhile, he continues to try and run Embiid out as a four, he ran Jahlil Okafor out as the center, and Okafor dropped an 0-for-10 from the field, though he did grab 11 rebounds. The situation among these three bigs is becoming the chief story of this team. It is clear that the team has decided Noel is the odd-man out, which is what I was hoping for in the off-season. The season has suggested it's the wrong move though. Okafor continues to be a defensive liability, and his offensive game has not yet meshed with Embiid's when both are on the court. Would Noel, a better defender, fit on the court better with Embiid? You could make that argument.

The fact of the matter right now is that Joel Embiid is the most complete player on this team, and really the one piece in place. The decision to move him to help Okafor, and frankly to seemingly marry themselves to Okafor, is a bit dubious. Yes, Jah can score with the best of them, but Jah's defensive game has marginally improved as a pro, if that. I seriously question the wisdom of committing to him- or not- after these couple of games. By sitting Noel though, the Sixers have locked themselves in. If they don't trade Nerlens, I don't see how this situation doesn't turn into a circus, and completely become a distraction.