Five years removed from being drafted No. 6 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, newly-acquired Thunder big man Nerlens Noel is looking to rehabilitate both his game and reputation in Oklahoma City, writes Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman.
A one-and-done talent at college powerhouse Kentucky, Noel is aware of the rumors surrounding his game – that he’s a talented but unwilling to work – but he’s ready to come out this season and turn things around.
The Thunder are ready for that too, which is why head coach Billy Donovan and All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Paul George all made recruiting pitches to Noel on the first night of free agency.
“I’m excited about having him,” Donovan said. “He’s early in his career, and I know his career probably hasn’t evolved into what he’d hoped when he was a rookie. But he’s still very young, and he’s still got a lot of time to continue to get better.”
Noel has yet to have much of any success at the NBA level so far. He sat out his first season in Philadelphia recovering from injury and then saw his playing time dwindle after the Sixers drafted up-and-coming star Joel Embiid. But now that Noel feels he has a new home where winning is a priority, he is ready to prove his worth.
“You want to be in a situation where you’re wanted on a team that really wants to win,” Noel said. “That means the utmost to me, and that’s what my game is. I don’t think playing on teams that are really headed in the other direction complements me as well or makes me look as good as I might want to.”
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Armed with deep motivation after having his career curtailed by injury, Nuggets point guard Isaiah Thomas is eager to play for a team who wanted him, reports Christopher Dempsey of Nuggets.com. Thomas, who played for head coach Mike Malone in Sacramento during his breakout season in 2013-14, credits Malone’s trust in him as a key to his continued success.
- Per Aaron Falk of UtahJazz.com, Jazz forward Derrick Favors is looking for an increased role on offense next season. During his free agent meeting with Utah’s front office, the two parties spoke about getting Favors more cuts to the basket and playing out of pick-and-roll or dribble-handoffs more often.
- The Trail Blazers have made a couple of minor roster moves in the past day or so, deciding to retain guard Wade Baldwin and part ways with center Georgios Papagiannis.
Speaking of Portland….
Waiting for the Ball for Lillard trades to start circulating, specially come February!
Which combo would you hypothetically take: Boogie KD Curry or LeBron Kawhi Dame?
Since the Golden State trio actually exists, I’ll go with that one. I kind of figured after the Paul George thing, the Lakers fans wouldn’t be counting their chickens before they hatch.
If Boogie is Elton Brand post recovery, then it’s the latter.
You forgot Draymond, Klay Thompson, Iggy, and Livingston. That makes deciding a lot easier. LeBron doesn’t play well without 2 all stars, and Kawhi may end up with the Clippers because he doesn’t want to play 2nd fiddle to LeBron.
Damon Lilliard isn’t leaving Portland.
Sound like the typical analyst
“You want to be in a situation where you’re wanted on a team that really wants to win,” Noel said.”
You had it in Philly buddy
Colangelo didn’t want him, and I don’t think Noel was wired for the Process. He wants to win, and I think that losing so much took a toll on him.
Not 6 years ago “bud”
At the time Noel was in Philly, they weren’t trying to win yet, but anyway I hope the best for Noel, I like him I think he can be a very good center, he has such a potential, it would be a shame if in a few years we are still talking about his potential, because he hasn’t done it. Hopefully he does well.