“I love that kid,” Nerlens Noel said of Ish Smith (photo above) after the Lakers game. “He just finds me whenever I’m open and honestly, he’s the first true point-guard I’ve ever really played with. And you know, he said I’m one of the alley-oop men–big men–he’s played with. So I think we compliment each other so well.”
By Harry Allison
All of the local “experts” who whined that the Sixers should never have traded point guard Michael Carter-Williams, he of the 38% shooting percentage and the turnover machine ratio of assists to TOs, might be interested in ESPN magazine’s latest rankings:
MCW is the 23rd best point guard in the NBA!
So, while Rob Ellis and all of his acolytes rue the day MCW was traded to the Bucks, the Sixers’ best player has a different opinion.
Sixers’ rookie forward Nerlens Noel, while making a push for the rookie of the year award, took a swipe at last year’s recipient of the honor and former teammate MCW whom he played with since AAU ball.
Following the Sixers’ 113-111 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers last Monday, Noel offered up his assessment of point guard Ish Smith.
“I love that kid,” Noel said of Smith after the game. “He just finds me whenever I’m open and honestly, he’s the first true point-guard I’ve ever really played with. And you know, he said I’m one of the alley-oop men–big men–he’s played with. So I think we compliment each other so well.”
Smith posted 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists against the Lakers and joined the Sixers just days after Carter-Williams was dealt away to the Milwaukee Bucks back in February at the NBA trade deadline.
Noel’s comments are not all that surprising when his play during the month of March with Smith running the point is taken into account. Over the last month Noel has put up some historic numbers for a rookie, averaging 14.3 PPG, 11.2 REB, 2.1 BLK, and 2.4 STL in 33.1 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, Smith has played nine games in a Sixers uniform and is averaging 12.0 points and 6.1 assists per game.
Carter-Williams is averaging 12.8 points and 5.4 assists per game with the Bucks.
Regardless of who is bringing the ball up the floor, Noel’s confidence appears to be growing, as does his head coach’s confidence in him.
“He wants the ball,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said. “I’m at a stage where I have confidence that he’s going to step up and not be intimidated by the moment. He’s not afraid of shooting a free throw. I think it’s a reflection of his growth, which has allowed me to have the confidence that I have in him.”
