When the Sixers drafted Nerlens Noel with the number seven overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, Sixers fans thought they might have someone fun to watch this season…eventually. Noel tore his ACL while playing for the Kentucky Wildcats February of last year. The diagnosis was that Noel would be out between six and eight months. However, it now appears that Noel may not play at all.
Sixers coach Brett Brown told ESPN and other reporters that it may be unlikely to see Noel on the court this season.
"I doubt, everybody doubts that he's going to play this year," Brown said before the Sixers played the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. "We don't want to waste this year. I think from a skill perspective, it's an opportunity for us to break down his shot, really work on his free throws and start a little bit from ground zero."
If the Sixers' plan was to draft an injured player work toward a lottery pick, their plan might be working. Already shedding most of their expense and talent, the Sixers appear headed for a dismal 2013 – 2014 season.
"Together we build" is the Sixers' 2013-2014 slogan as they try to sell tickets. It is indeed a "together"; fans will have to watch some lean days ahead. But as we have seen many times, with a top pick and money to spend, teams can turn around rather quickly. The only problem is, things will have to bottom out, first. Keeping Noel off of the court will help do that.
