Fansided

Each NBA team’s best X-Factor

By Cody Williams

Apr 11, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is fouled by Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is fouled by Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) fixes his sleeve after a timeout against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Wizards won 127-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) fixes his sleeve after a timeout against the Washington Wizards at Wells Fargo Center. The Wizards won 127-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Philadelphia 76ers: Nerlens Noel

I don’t want this to feel like I’m piling on the Sixers, because that’s truly not the intent. I just happen to think that they happen to exemplify a lower-tier team in the current era of the NBA who is either tanking or is just plain not putting a good product out on the floor. And for this Philly team in that period for the organization, Nerlens Noel is a big deal.

When Noel came back for the 76ers last season, there was absolutely no one of consequence around him and, quite frankly, it was hard to watch. He would show flashes of why everyone thought he was the consensus No. 1 pick in the draft for his class prior to his knee injury in college, but he was being asked to do just entirely too much for a guy his age—no matter how talented he is.

That’s why this season is so important for him and for the 76ers. Now that Jahlil Okafor has arrived, Noel can settle into his role and further develop his skills. With Okafor, you kind of already know what player you’re going to have in him. He’s going to be great, but he doesn’t have the potential and ceiling a guy like Noel does. Now that Noel has help around him, we can see at least glimpses of what he can be.

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