I fear that this train left the station a few weeks ago. They will try to trade Okafor and see if a Embiid-Noel can do something interesting, in my opinion.
The Embiid-Noel duo makes for excellent defense at the 4/5 spots. I would keep them together and shop Okafor to the highest bidder if I were them.
He was their only healthy center tonight; the chances of them trading him slimmer and slimmer every day.
It was the type of performance that would fit in PERFECTLY with Portland. However, it seems that one of two things has happened. Either that ship has sailed from Philly's side and they want to keep Noel and trade Okafor...... ,,,,,or, Olshey just isn't that high on Noel. Either way, it doesn't seem it will be Christmas anytime soon in Portland unless something changes fairly significantly.
Can't say Noel impressed me when they played us last. He rebounded well but can't say he defended the rim. Isn't that what we lack?
It is one thing we lack, and he's a great rim defender. He has a career 4.4% Block Percentage (the percentage of two-point shots he blocked while he was on the floor) which is an excellent number. His career Defensive Rating is 101. Again, fantastic.
But when they do attack the paint, we are there to defend the rim. 2nd best in NBA. This idea that we are lacking rim protection is completely untrue.
We might defend the rim but do they count uncontested shots at the rim? There are so many of those, I find it hard to believe those are included. Shots at the rim when we actually have someone around....okay. Meyers is good around the rim defensively as is Davis, Plumlee can elevate which helps to offset shorter arms.
I was being a little facetious when I said we needed it because I hear it constantly, and I am not sure why. Although I am shocked we are rated so high in that category. I think blocked shots are a little over rated. 3-4 blocks per game from our center is not better than overall good team defense. Regardless I like Noel, I just would not give up CJ to get him. What he offers can be found easier than finding someone who offers what CJ can provide.
You cannot get Noel with Crabbe. Probably they need your 1st round pick too (Blazers' pick, not Cavs). And maybe that's not enough too.
