Sixers' Noel is praised for his durability

WHEN YOU ARE enduring the type of season the 76ers are, it isn't unusual for scratches and scrapes to be upgraded to lacerations and abrasions, or for minor twists to become sprains. The point is, key players' missing games isn't exactly frowned upon, since wins aren't the ultimate reward this season and losses aren't the worst thing in the world right now.

Still, development trumps all else in coach Brett Brown's eyes, which is why Nerlens Noel, despite many bumps and bruises gathered throughout the season, has missed only four games this season. It's why he was in the starting lineup Sunday in New York after suffering a cut to his right eye in Charlotte on Saturday that limited him to a little more than 10 minutes of play. Noel showed no sign that the eye bothered him on Sunday, and he collected 14 points, nine rebounds and a pair of blocks.

"The candid conversations that we have with our guys daily is that there are no healthy players in the NBA, and there especially isn't healthy players in the NBA in April," Brown said. "The sports science side of things, the accumulation of effort people put into their bodies during a course of a season enables them to play in April at a high standard and hopefully one day in May and, if we can all dream, in June. This whole thing is about the education for our 20-year-olds on how to navigate through an NBA season, how to keep on track with your body. And for Nerlens, at 214, 216 pounds, to play the quantity of games at the position that he plays, that's a hell of a statement of durability first, and, I also think, a toughness that has enabled him to do that, because he, too, like everybody, has been injured, and he could have shut it down, and he didn't."

Noel has continued to improve throughout the long season, which is just as impressive. While most rookies have a tendency to break down a bit during the season, Noel has appeared to get stronger with his play. The team's most veteran player, Jason Richardson, has been a keen observer of Noel this season.

"I compare him more to a Dwight [Howard] right now," Richardson said of his former Orlando teammate. "Dwight came in so raw, came in a defender and a rebounder and blocking shots. As you can see right now, [Noel's] game is blossoming on the offensive end. He's getting better in the post. His shot is a little bit better, and his free throws are better. I look at Nerlens like that. He has the ability to be where Dwight is now. I don't know about bodywise, but just as far as his game on the defensive end and the offensive end."

While Noel obviously needs to improve in the physical part of the game, as far as putting on weight, Richardson sees other areas that also need to get better.

"He really doesn't talk much, but I try to pull that out of him," Richardson said. "Between him and Joe [Joel Embiid], this is their team going forward for the organization. He's got to speak his mind when something is going right or he wants the ball in the post. He has to let guys know right there at the time. I'm just trying to drag that out of him.

"Young guys, you all battle that, when to say something to other guys on the team. You don't want to be offending somebody, but I think you have to assert yourself in that situation."

Which, of course, is always easier to do when you're on the floor with your team almost every night. That part, Noel has accomplished this season.

Blog: ph.ly/Sixerville