I think that the 6ers would be completely thrilled to start Noel at PF and Embiid at C. Their games aren't redundant.
Starting 2 players in the frontcourt who can't shoot is death to your NBA offense. Has been for over 20 years. Its even more fatal now, now you need one of them to be able to shoot 3s.
Yeah. I don't think it would make sense. Embiid is a true center, and you're wasting Noel if you play him at the 4 next to a true center.
Lots of rim protection, but neither really covers the perimeter, and neither has a jumpshot.
Noel is extremely quick, and both are amazing at closing on perimeter shooters. I think defensively the combination could be devastating.
On offense, though, you have a point. Noel didn't have an offensive game of any kind aside from transition, rolling to the basket, and put-backs. Embiid has a post game and the beginning of a usable mid-range shot. You're right to point out that defenses would sag off of Noel and crowd the post.
See, I just think having two similar players has never worked: Jefferson/Milsap? Failure. Monroe/Drummond? Failure. Steve Francis/Stephon Marbury? Failure. ...I guess it worked once with David Robinson/Tim Duncan. ...but don't forget that Robinson was the consummate veteran professional: "the Admiral." Roles were very clear in Duncan's first year.
These guys are all rookie types.
Embiid and Noel together would be a big mistake in my opinion. However, if Embiid drops to three, the Sixers MUST take him. So I see this trade making a lot of sense. I disagree with Who that getting the number 10 as well would be anything like robbery, but agree that perhaps an asset going the other way would be appropriate. Jerryd Bayless, Avery Bradley, Joel Anthony, and Brandon Bass are all veterans who could help a developing Philadelphia squad. They make the same kind of money as Noel.
This is one of those trades that I want to call the Celtics front office to suggest.
Robinson/Duncan worked because they actually had very wide arsenals. Both had strong post games and both had outside shots. When one was in the post the other was able to be on the outside (though stretch 4's were not around as much at the time). Their games, and their winning mind sets made them perfect teammates. Defensively, with them you had a strong side blocker and a weak side blocker to protect the rim. Problems arise when two players have very similar games but not enough variations in their games to do different things at necessary times.
Fair enough. ...I do not think at this point Noel and Embiid are different enough for the two of them to play together. I think Embiid has a higher ceiling as an offensive player; although he is not as athletic as Noel. Of course, athleticism fades, and in my mind, of the two, I would rather have Embiid.
But - whichever one you value more, and whatever you think the future holds, both guys do not create that well, and are rim protectors, not man defenders. Hard to see how they could play effectively together. And hard to see how Philly scores much with the two of them on the floor. ...is MCW the kind of interior passer that could exploit having two big men? Not in my opinion.
But - with Randle - or better yet Doug McDermott - I think Philly could get some spacing, and wouldn't have to ask MCW to do so much.
