Sixers fans got some rough news last night when they learned that first-round pick Nerlens Noel is expected to miss the entire 2013/14 season. It’s an especially tough blow for a Philly team that many are predicting to finish in the NBA’s cellar. Here’s more on Noel and other Sixers notes..
- In today’s column, David Aldridge of NBA.com writes that new coach Brett Brown is taking a gamble by leaving one of the league’s most stable franchises (Spurs) for a team that could lose 60 games in 2013-14. Regardless of that, Brown says that he is extremely confident in the club’s front office and vision. “I needed to feel good and secure that the ownership group was committed and had a plan, and Sam [Hinkie] was going to the be the architect of that plan, capable of delivering that plan,” Brown said. “When he combines his obvious analytic background with some human things, you can make decisions about personnel. I believed in his vision. When you talked to the ownership group and you heard the level of patience that they’re committed to, that they have traded away Holiday, that they’re looking to build something big in this city.“
- Agent Andy Miller reiterated Brown’s comments from earlier today and said that it’s not official that Noel will miss the 2013/14 season, tweets Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. However, the news doesn’t sound terribly promising. The agent says that his camp is taking the therapy “one day at a time.”
- If the Pelicans miss the playoffs, Chris Mannix of NBC Sports (via Twitter) notes that the Sixers could have three rookie lottery picks in camp next year.