So thoughts on Noel and Okafor

[Moranis]

There had been a lot of chatter on this blog about Okafor and Noel and whether they could play together.  Obviously it has been 1 official game, but I thought they had a decent chemistry on both ends of the floor.  They are obviously young and Philly clearly needs some more talent in the backcourt, but I came away from the game even more impressed by them.  And man Okafor is going to be a monster offensively.  Very strong first game from him.

[littleteapot]

Yeah the fit didn't seem awkward at all.

[Rondo9]

If they play well together then Embiid may be expendable.

[slamtheking]

seemed ok but hard to tell since the rest of the team shouldn't be on the floor with them.

did notice that Noel was a presence on D but a non-factor on O while Okafor was the opposite.  this was to be expected but it was more dramatic than I had anticipated

[positivitize]

seemed ok but hard to tell since the rest of the team shouldn't be on the floor with them.

did notice that Noel was a presence on D but a non-factor on O while Okafor was the opposite.  this was to be expected but it was more dramatic than I had anticipated

I noticed the same thing.

That said, I'd love to work out a trade for Noel that keeps Smart in Boston.

[manl_lui]

impressive on their first game together...if they keep this up...focus on winning, draft well and sign well...I can see Philly do some damage in the playoffs in about 3-4 years...for now, I think they might tank one more season....I think they still need a reliable wing player

[Kuberski33]

They're going to be devastating together. They compliment each other nicely.  They're going to need the right 3 to go with them though.

[Moranis]

seemed ok but hard to tell since the rest of the team shouldn't be on the floor with them.

did notice that Noel was a presence on D but a non-factor on O while Okafor was the opposite.  this was to be expected but it was more dramatic than I had anticipated

Wroten, Stauskas, and Covington will probably be the starting small guys, but all of them are injured at the moment (Marshall and Landry are hurt also).  Perhaps Thompson still starts instead of Stauskas.  He is normally a pretty solid shooter but he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn today.  Sampson and Canaan actually played fairly well, but they just shouldn't be starters. 

As Okafor and Noel continue to mature, and if they continue to show signs they can play together, I don't think Philly is going to be as bad as a lot of people think.  They clearly aren't making the playoffs, but I just don't see them as an all time bad type of team.  And man Okafor looked smooth in his first game.  I think he could legitimately be a 20/10 player this year.  If Philly does finally hit pay dirt in the lottery and adds a guy like Simmons, they are going to be very good for a very long time (as long as they keep their guys happy enough to stick around).

[Snakehead]

I like them together.   Both guys impressed me.  The double teams did a number on Okafor but I think he will learn that part of the game.  The scoring instinct and size are already a big impact on the NBA level. Noel's defense was great and I think he will put together a respectable offensive game.  Ideally to have them be a perfect fit I think you would hope Noel can work on a midrange game.

[chambers]

They were fine. Okafur was great at creating in the paint, and Noel was great as a weak side defender.

The big problem they're going to face is when they come across teams with dangerous stretch fours.
Either Okafur is going to have to cone out and defend on the perimeter to keep Noel guarding the ring, or Noel is going to have to come out and Okafur is going to be stuck guarding the rim and committing petty fouls.
Should be good to see their development either way. Okafur's jumpshot is nice so he'll probably try and add the 3 point shot to his arsenal by year 3 or 4.

[crimson_stallion]

They're going to be very good, both of them. 

Okafor looks very Al Jefferson, and Noel looks very Tyson Chandler. 

[max215]

Too early to say on the fit together, but individually, each guy is unbelievable on one side of the court.

[konkmv]

They need at least years to develop

[PhoSita]

There had been a lot of chatter on this blog about Okafor and Noel and whether they could play together.  Obviously it has been 1 official game, but I thought they had a decent chemistry on both ends of the floor.  They are obviously young and Philly clearly needs some more talent in the backcourt, but I came away from the game even more impressed by them.  And man Okafor is going to be a monster offensively.  Very strong first game from him.

If Noel continues to flash a post-game and a set shot, they'll be able to make it work together.  The Celt aren't the best test case though.

[KeepRondo]

Okafor was really good. Much better then I thought he would be. Maybe he pushes the sixers pass the Nets.