How Nerlens Noel Can Be The One Of The Leagues Best Centers
Noel is set to be a restricted free agent after the Dallas Mavericks gave him a qualifying offer before the deadline. The organization loves Nerlens, and the love seems mutual.
During an exit interview in April following the conclusion of the 2016-2017 NBA Season Noel stated.
I love Dallas, in my short time here I've really enjoyed it. With the pieces that we have, and the opportunities we'll be seeing in the near future, I think there's a lot to be excited for. -Nerlens Noel
Donnie Nelson, Mark Cuban, and Coach Rick Carlisle are on the record saying that Noel is a big part of this teams rebuild. The front office plans to match any offer that is presented to Nerlens Noel , who is a restricted free agent. Once that happens, upon the start of free agency in July, Noel will be ready to take his career to a new level. Noel is only 22 years old, and has a troubled history of injuries early on dating back to his University of Kentucky days. There are a lot of question marks about his knee since then however, he has managed to stay healthy this past season. Shortly after having set backs in Philly or shall I say #Trusttheprocess, his minutes increased slowly and they jumped once he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks after the NBA Trade Deadline.
Dallas has been know to preserve players and give them they best resources to boost their players play and careers. Noel has looked great in a Mavs uniform and the staff did a good job of working him in the starting lineup, and not allowing him to jump in and play extremely high minutes. Noel played and moved well and displayed great things on both sides of the ball this season. Noel received a lot of Tyson Chandler comparisons when he first got traded to the Mavs but I think he is a bit more athletic and skilled than him especially at a young age. He showed how well he could play defense by being an above average rim protector, and using his speeds and quick hands to get steals. Offensively he was able to show he can handle the ball and has flashed his mid-range jumper as well. Noel has showed why he can be a weapon on the offensive end by catching lobs at the highest point and throwing it down after running the pick and roll.
Rim Protection A+
Shooting C+
As you can see Nerlens jumper looks smooth and has become a real weapon. The form, the high release, and great lift of the ground, his jumper seems natural and in Dallas Coach Carlisle is able to help him polish it more along with the rest of the staff in Dallas. He has already flashed that mid-range jumper a few times and it doesn't look bad I see great potential for Noel to be a great face up Center in this league. Shooting will only open his offensive game up a bit more because he has the speed and quickness to blow past defenders and the handles to put the ball on the floor and make opportunities for himself and teammates. He can develop into a PF later on in his career when he develops into a better shooter because he has Anthony Davis potential. I know that might be bold but his skill set is similar to Davis in a lot of ways to me I just think Noel is better defensively right now.
Athleticism / Above The Rim Plays
Can you Imagine Dennis Smith Jr coming off a Noel Screen and making a flashy lop pass to Noel? I know I can, once the defense figures out how dangerous Smith Jr is with the ball, they will pay more attention to him on pick and rolls and with his play making ability Smith Jr to Noel will be a play to come watch every time they run the pick and roll.
Watch how Smith Jr create lobs for his teammates in college and imagine how it would look with Noel at the receiving end.
Noel has a lot of that energy that Tyson Chandler brings to the floor and that toughness when he blocks a shot and finishes a dunk, and pounds his chest.
Nerlens Noel is a great talent and he and he has great potential hopefully with his long-term deal with the Mavs he can really be motivated to thrive in Dallas.