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Selecting the NBA All-Rookie Team

By Brad Rowland

Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) at the end of the game at Target Center. Lakers defeated the Wolves 101-99 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) at the end of the game at Target Center. Lakers defeated the Wolves 101-99 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) juggles the ball after missing on a dunk attempt against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) juggles the ball after missing on a dunk attempt against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Forward – Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers

If not for a torn ACL that cost him the final few weeks of a freshman season at Kentucky, Nerlens Noel may have been the number one overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. After sitting out a season to recover, Noel is reminding everyone of the vast potential that placed him in that elite class among prospects.

Noel is still just 20 years old, by nature of his departure after just one collegiate season, and his in-season development has been impressive with the Sixers. Make no mistake, Nerlens Noel was already on pace for an All-Rookie season in the first half of the year, combining strong defense with 8.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, but his second-half showing has been stellar enough to influence some Rookie of the Year voters toward his direction.

Since that break, the 6-foot-11 power forward is averaging 13.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.1 steals per game. Those numbers speak for themselves, and Noel is the only player in the NBA to top 2 blocks and 2 steals per game over that timeframe. His defense isn’t quite at an All-Star level yet because, well, he’s a rookie, but Noel has all the makings of an impact player on that end, and they are already manifesting on a game-to-game basis.

Offense will always be the sticking point for Nerlens Noel, but his shooting has improved on a monthly basis, to the point where it sits at a respectable 46% for the season. Obviously, the Sixers would love to see that in the 50% range given the fact that Noel isn’t a floor-spacing shooter, but beggars can’t be choosers, and Noel has soundly outplayed any rational expectation of his play in the second half.

If the season ended two months ago, Nerlens Noel probably would have been a first team choice anyway, but now, there is no way to leave him off the list.

Next: Jusuf Nurkic

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