Q&A with Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers

Naveen Ganglani

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Q&A with Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers
The 6-foot-11 rookie talks about his team, thoughts on Michael Carter-Williams getting traded, toughest guy to guard, and player he wants to emulate

MANILA, Philippines – The Philadelphia 76ers might be one of the worst teams in the NBA for two years running now, but the future of the team is bright in the eyes of some due to Philly’s numerous future draft picks, experienced general manager, great basketball city, and collection of young potential franchise cornerstones.

One of those possible All-Stars is Nerlens Noel, the team’s sixth pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.

After missing the entire 2013-2014 NBA season due to a torn ACL he suffered in his college senior campaign with Kentucky, the 6-foot-11 big man has been superb in his first year with Philadelphia, averaging 9.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.8 steals, and 1.7 assists per game.

Noel is a candidate to win the league’s Rookie of the Year award. And even if he doesn’t get the honor, there’s still a great chance he will be part of the NBA’s 2014-2015 All-Rookie First Team.

Noel is currently in Manila for the 2015 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines basketball camp – the event’s eighth season. Along with former WNBA Finals MVP Ruth Riley, Noel is in the country to help the teenagers included in the camp improve their play.


About 7 hours following his arrival in Manila, Noel sat down with members of the Philippine sports media on Friday, April 24, at the PICC Tent in Pasay City, where the first day of the Jr. NBA/ Jr. WNBA training camp was held.

Noel talked about a number of topics – from his first playing year with he 76ers, to his individual plans for the future, to some of his old and current teammates, and to the upcoming NBA Draft where Philadelphia once again has a high lottery pick.

Here are excerpts from the interview, which you can view in this video:

On his game:

NN: I think last season was good. Individually, I think I was able to establish myself in the NBA like I wanted to. Now, it’s only to go up, get better and better every year, and add to my game.

What part of his game is he working on:

NN: [I’m] just definitely working on my shot. The year I didn’t play, that I sat, I worked on my fundamentals – my shooting, I think that helped a lot with my free throws.

Just definitely something I’m working on now is getting stronger.

On being part of the 76ers’ rebuilding process:

NN: I definitely believe in it. I think Sam Hinkie has a great idea, a great plan, with the way he’s doing things. He’s doing it in the right direction. The pieces we’ve got, so early, with myself, Joel, and all the picks we have coming up, I think it’s going to put us in a good situation to have a young team that’s going to go out there and play hard and play good ball.

On Joel Embiid and his return from a foot injury:

NN: He’s great, he’s great. Being able to mentor him a little bit through everything he’s went through this year – everything I went through last year, it’s the same thing – so I’m just helping with [his] transition into the NBA.

He’s been great, he’s been great on his own.

On the upcoming NBA draft:

NN: There are many great players in this draft. I haven’t got too many chances to watch some of them, but there are great players and I think Sam Hinkie is going to make a good decision to put someone around us that’s going to benefit the team going forward and help us get to dominance.

Who we pick – what type of player, a big man, or a little guy – I don’t know.

Who would he take with the first pick:

NN: That’s a tough question… I’d probably go Towns [over Jahlil Okafor]. I think he’s a little more versatile just a little bit. He can pass.

Okafor is great too. Whoever they’re (owners of the first overall pick) going to draft is going to have a great career.

Toughest opponent to guard:

NN: DeMarcus Cousins. He’s a big boy. He’s big and strong. He has a lot of moves around the rim and he’s just really tough to guard. I mean, you really have to think ahead of him to be able to counter his moves.

Who would he want to emulate moving forward?

NN: Definitely Kevin Garnett. He was one of my favorite players growing up and I want to continue to emulate my game like his.

On the trade that sent Michael Carter-Williams to Milwaukee:

NN: It was definitely surprising to me. I didn’t expect it, but then you have to understand the NBA is a business, and the GMs are going to do what they have to do to feel like they can put their team in the best position to win games in the future.

I grew up with Michael so it was definitely tough for me; he’s one of my great friends growing up and I definitely wish him the best going forward.

On the 76ers crowd:

NN: So supportive. So supportive. Through thick and thin, you can tell Philly is a city that’s going to ride with you and that’s something we’re very appreciative of – to know they have our back as much as we have theirs. We only know things are going to get better and better as the pieces come together. Something special is coming.

On Philly cheesesteaks:

NN: They’re real good.

Expectations for the upcoming season:

NN: Definitely getting better and better. I want to be an All-Star this upcoming year. I want to work on my game all around, [and] get stronger and faster, shoot better, everything.

– Rappler.com

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