76ers' Noel on Rookie of the Year: 'I should be in somewhat of the discussion'
With four consecutive Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards and averages of 15.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals, Andrew Wiggins may have already wrapped up this season's Rookie of the Year award.
Nerlens Noel believes he's playing his way into the conversation, however.
"I think as the season winds down and with the way I'm playing, I should be in somewhat of the discussion," the Philadelphia 76ers big man told reporters after a 23-point, 14-rebound, five-steal, three-block performance in Friday's victory over the New York Knicks.
20-year old Nerlens Noel is the youngest player to ever record 20+points, 10+rebounds, 5+steals, 3+blocks (since stls/blks tracked, '73-74)
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) March 21, 2015
"I feel that award should probably go to the best player, who helps their team win games and keeps them in games and affects the games in so many different ways," Noel added. "I continue to get better and better."
Noel certainly has shown signs of improvement as the season has progressed, averaging roughly 17 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals over his last five games, on 56 percent shooting to boot.
Wiggins is the clear front-runner, with Nikola Mirotic and Elfrid Payton making a late charge while Wigging slumps, but it may not be that far-fetched for Noel to work his way into "somewhat of the discussion" given his recent play, as the 20-year-old will surely receive some votes.
Noel is posting averages of 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.8 steals and 1.6 assists for the season, on track to become just the 16th rookie in NBA history to achieve such stat-stuffing balance.