Call it "The Process" that binds.
If the Philadelphia 76ers really do intend to eventually trade Nerlens Noel, their franchise youngster Joel Embiid may not be too pleased. Embiid offered a full endorsement of Noel on Tuesday following the Sixers' 108-93 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Noel saw minutes for only the third time in five games since his season debut after October surgery. Upon entering, Philly fans gave him a standing ovation, a comical development after 76ers coach Brett Brown suggested Sunday that Noel was out of the team's rotation for the time being.
Embiid said he enjoyed that.
"I loved it," the center said, according to Liberty Ballers' Kyle Neubeck. "He's my best friend on the team, and I was really happy for him. He's been working his ass off too. I want to get on the court and see what we can look like together, because I like him and want to play with everybody."
The much-publicized issue is that given the presence of Embiid, Jahlil Okafor, and Noel, the Sixers have too many big men. While Noel is a defense-first rim protector, for the moment the team seems set on pairing Embiid with the low-post-offense-minded Okafor.
Noel played only seven minutes Tuesday, scoring four points and grabbing three rebounds. The Kentucky product is not happy with that kind of floor time, although general manager Bryan Colangelo has said he won't be forced into a trade just for the sake of it.
Regardless of what Colangelo or Brown thinks, Embiid is adamant he can make the situation work.
"I think I'm going to get him going, especially on the defensive end," he said. "Being aggresssive, blitzing every pick and roll, just flying all over the place, I think we can really do that while we're on the court."
