Noel blog

[OrlandoCuse]

Some people in this thread are talking so far out of their asses that they're going to start eating with their butt cheeks and crapping with their mouths.

I have no insight into any way that Noel is leaning, but anyone that downplays his ability at either end of the floor, his physicality, or his readiness to play at this level really don't have a clue. If he were on our team starting tomorrow, we'd instantly be the favorites to win it all - he's that good.

 

[KingOtis]

You need to take a visit to youtube and watch a few highlight films. I don't care if he's playing against CYO players. It only takes a few minutes of watching that film to figure out this guy is going to be a monster on the defensive end right away.

I already have. All of the top prospects have jaw-dropping highlight reels. That's the point.

But have I said anything that isn't a fact?

1. It is a fact that he needs to develop.
2. It is a fact that he's raw on offense.
3. It is a fact that he doesn't weigh much more than BMK.
4. It is a fact that Thomas, Melo and Christmas were "monsters" on defense in high school.
5. It is a fact that the majority of players that Noel is playing against will not play at D1 schools.

It's also a fact that very few freshman make an immediate impact with this particular program, especially big men. Now just about everyone said Melo would be a stud his freshman year. Didn't happen. Then just about everyone said the same thing about Christmas. Same result.

Do I think Noel has the potential to be great? Yes. I just don't see it happening in one year at Syracuse.

 

[bpo57]

I already have. All of the top prospects have jaw-dropping highlight reels. That's the point.

But have I said anything that isn't a fact?

1. It is a fact that he needs to develop.
2. It is a fact that he's raw on offense.
3. It is a fact that he doesn't weigh much more than BMK.
4. It is a fact that Thomas, Melo and Christmas were "monsters" on defense in high school.
5. It is a fact that the majority of players that Noel is playing against will not play at D1 schools.

It's also a fact that very few freshman make an immediate impact with this particular program, especially big men. Now just about everyone said Melo would be a stud his freshman year. Didn't happen. Then just about everyone said the same thing about Christmas. Same result.

Do I think Noel has the potential to be great? Yes. I just don't see it happening in one year at Syracuse.

I agree with 1,2 and 3 although he looks a bit heavier than MBK. 4-Thomas was somewhat unheralded coming out of Oklahoma, Melo was 30 lbs. overweight and couldn't move anywhere near like NN when he was in HS. 5- well yeah that's the case for every top prospect.

I don't care what people said about Christmas, irrelevant in assessing NN. I think he would start at SU and have a big impact. Who would he sit behind?

 

[KingOtis]

I agree with 1,2 and 3 although he looks a bit heavier than MBK. 4-Thomas was somewhat unheralded coming out of Oklahoma, Melo was 30 lbs. overweight and couldn't move anywhere near like NN when he was in HS. 5- well yeah that's the case for every top prospect.

I don't care what people said about Christmas, irrelevant in assessing NN. I think he would start at SU and have a big impact. Who would he sit behind?

Noel is listed at 6-10, 215, which is actually identical to BMK. I've also seen him listed closer to 200. But BMK is probably not 215.

Unheralded players from Oklahoma don't find their way to SU. Dedrick was considered one of the top shot blockers in the country, but raw offensively.

Melo was supposed to be the BE Freshman of the Year.

I agree that Noel would start, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Would he finish? It's possible that he would sit behind Christmas.

 

[ORRange]

Some people in this thread are talking so far out of their asses that they're going to start eating with their butt cheeks and crapping with their mouths.

I have no insight into any way that Noel is leaning, but anyone that downplays his ability at either end of the floor, his physicality, or his readiness to play at this level really don't have a clue. If he were on our team starting tomorrow, we'd instantly be the favorites to win it all - he's that good.

Spot on. The kid moved up a class and was immediately named the number one player by people that know more than anyone on here. Some "project".lol.

 

[KingOtis]

Spot on. The kid moved up a class and was immediately named the number one player by people that know more than anyone on here. Some "project".lol.

He moved back to his original class and his ranking is based on his defense and overall potential. Are you suggesting he doesn't have a lot to work on?

 

[bpo57]

Noel is listed at 6-10, 215, which is actually identical to BMK. I've also seen him listed closer to 200. But BMK is probably not 215.

Unheralded players from Oklahoma don't find their way to SU. Dedrick was considered one of the top shot blockers in the country, but raw offensively.

Melo was supposed to be the BE Freshman of the Year.

I agree that Noel would start, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Would he finish? It's possible that he would sit behind Christmas.

I think you vastly underrate NN and somewhat overrate Christmas. These things are never guaranteed but when I watch NN I see something extraordinary. Things not seen from the other people you compare him too.

 

[armory]

Fab Melo immediately jumped to the top 5 based on a practice video, his measurements, and potential. You're naive if you think the rankings are based on some majestic intellectual gifts of scouts. NN is an athletic freak of nature, that is 90% of why he is ranked #1

 

[EastCoast2]

Some people in this thread are talking so far out of their asses that they're going to start eating with their butt cheeks and crapping with their mouths.

I have no insight into any way that Noel is leaning, but anyone that downplays his ability at either end of the floor, his physicality, or his readiness to play at this level really don't have a clue. If he were on our team starting tomorrow, we'd instantly be the favorites to win it all - he's that good.

Not flaming here, just asking a legit question. If you could take Nerlens Noel or Anthony Davis on Syracuse right now for the NCAA tournament, who do you take?

I take Davis and I slap whoever asked me that question.

 

[jdubs30]

Fab Melo immediately jumped to the top 5 based on a practice video, his measurements, and potential. You're naive if you think the rankings are based on some majestic intellectual gifts of scouts. NN is an athletic freak of nature, that is 90% of why he is ranked #1

Calhoun compared him to Bill Russell.

 

[jdubs30]

Not flaming here, just asking a legit question. If you could take Nerlens Noel or Anthony Davis on Syracuse right now for the NCAA tournament, who do you take?

I take Davis and I slap whoever asked me that question.

A guy who's still in HS vs. a guy who's played in college for a year and proven himself? Unfair question.

 

[bpo57]

Not flaming here, just asking a legit question. If you could take Nerlens Noel or Anthony Davis on Syracuse right now for the NCAA tournament, who do you take?

I take Davis and I slap whoever asked me that question.

Well yeah Davis has a year of college experience under his belt.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Not flaming here, just asking a legit question. If you could take Nerlens Noel or Anthony Davis on Syracuse right now for the NCAA tournament, who do you take?

I take Davis and I slap whoever asked me that question.

That's not really much of a question. Take the best player in college or the best player in high school????...hmmm, I'll have to think about it.

That being said, for as good of a shot blocker that Davis is, Noel is actually better in that department. Davis is a much better offensive product right now, mainly for his face the basket game.

 

[armory]

If you were offered Davis before his first college practice, but knowing what you do now, you'd still take him. The experience has nothing to do with it, proving yourself does.

 

[pfister1]

Calhoun compared him to Bill Russell.

Calhoun is recruiting him...its a mistake to lend credibility to anything he says while he's still trying to woo the kid. Many coaches would compare a recruit to god if they thought it would sway them to sign the LOI.

 

[reedny]

I don't think Noel would really even help that much. I can't see Noel and Coleman on the floor at the same time because Noel would be wasted at the 4 much like Rak this year, while Coleman is too slow to play the wing in the zone... so by subbing Coleman<->Noel you'd just be trading offense for defense.

It would be like having Thabeet and Onuaku on the same team.

No way. Rak "wasted" at the 4 because he wasn't ready -- not because we didn't need rebounding or shot blocking on the weak side. As a result, we're stuck with having a small forward (CJ) sub' in for him. CJ's a plucky kid, but let's be honest he's not an elite PF.

Next year, with DC2, we have the offense coming in at center -- different but maybe better than Fab. Not only could we use a shot blocker on defense.. if DC2 is as good as I think he will be offensively, NN doesn't even need to score.

So NN not only works, he's perfect. And I bet this (in some form) is what JB told him when he visited. So your Thabeet/Onuaku analogy is misplaced. Think...Okafor and Armstrong on the 2002-2003 team. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/conn-m-baskbl-2003-roster.html Or later they had Armstrong and Villanueva (their positions are reversed, b/c Vill. played PF and Armstrong C, but you get the idea).

 

[KingOtis]

I think you vastly underrate NN and somewhat overrate Christmas. These things are never guaranteed but when I watch NN I see something extraordinary. Things not seen from the other people you compare him too.

I'm just being realistic. A year ago Fab Melo was a bust and Christmas was going to come in and dominate on defense.

Noel could go to UK and thrive like Davis. Calipari has a longer leash than JB. It would not be as easy for him at SU and history supports that argument.

I don't think it's extraordinary to watch Noel dunk on and block the shots of players who are almost all a foot shorter than him. I think I saw one hook shot that wasn't right in front of the basket. Some good hustle plays as well. There's a good chance that his skills will translate to the next level. But he needs to work hard and hit the weight room.

The fact of the matter is that Christmas has a year on him in terms of development. That doesn't make him the better player, just better prepared. Noel is rushing through his final season, and people around him think that's impeding his progress. So he might even be further behind.

Remember, you're only getting him for one year. And if he could go straight to the NBA, he would.

 

[KingOtis]

So NN not only works, he's perfect. And I bet this (in some form) is what JB told him when he visited. So your Thabeet/Onuaku analogy is misplaced. Think...Okafor and Armstrong on the 2002-2003 team. http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/conn-m-baskbl-2003-roster.html Or later they had Armstrong and Villanueva (their positions are reversed, b/c Vill. played PF and Armstrong C, but you get the idea).

But those UConn teams played man. G-town with Mourning and Mutombo played man. LSU with Shaq and Stanley Roberts played man.

Noel will get one year to show off his skills. If he's going to do that in a 2-3 zone, he'll want to be in the middle. Forget about what's best for the team. What's best for Noel?

 

[Orange&Blue44]

You mean, some of you guys can't see Noel at the 4? I see him helping inside with the atheticism to close out on shooters in the corner. Warrick, only BETTER.

 

[KingOtis]

You mean, some of you guys can't see Noel at the 4? I see him helping inside with the atheticism to close out on shooters in the corner. Warrick, only BETTER.

Sure, I can see it. But it's not going to happen. You guys need to put yourselves in Noel's shoes and JB's shoes. It's not fantasy basketball.

 

[armory]

You mean, some of you guys can't see Noel Christmas at the 4? I see him helping inside with the atheticism to close out on shooters in the corner. Warrick, only BETTER.

I bet if I look back, that exact quote could be found at this same time last year.

 

[reedny]

But those UConn teams played man. G-town with Mourning and Mutombo played man. LSU with Shaq and Stanley Roberts played man.

Noel will get one year to show off his skills. If he's going to do that in a 2-3 zone, he'll want to be in the middle. Forget about what's best for the team. What's best for Noel?

Why would he want to be in the middle? He's a 210 pound off-the-ball shotblocker. At that weight, he doesn't have the bulk to play in the middle for SU, let alone for an NBA team. Center position - at both levels - requires a big body -- even our 7' footer got pushed around (e.g., by Drummond). Next year, DC2 brings the requisite bulk to the middle at 6-10 280, and if NN is smart (which I believe he is) he's well aware that he'll be happier and better off staying on the weak side to rebound or reject shots.

Any offense he brings will be gravy ... we won't need him to score.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don't think Noel would really even help that much. I can't see Noel and Coleman on the floor at the same time because Noel would be wasted at the 4 much like Rak this year, while Coleman is too slow to play the wing in the zone... so by subbing Coleman<->Noel you'd just be trading offense for defense.

It would be like having Thabeet and Onuaku on the same team.

Noel could play on a wing for us in the zone and be devastating, while Coleman was in the middle. Noel has the length and athleticism to do it.

 

[HoustonCuse]

I think we also have to make a distinction between a top 25 player and a top 5 player. We have had highly rated guys that are hit and miss (Xmas, Paul Harris are examples), but generally you get one of those top 5 guys and very very few of them are busts. These are your John Wall, Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis types. Noel is in that top 5 category. It doesn't mean he doesn't have things to work on, but it does mean it's highly likely that the kid will come into college and be a major player for whoever he's with right away.

 

[reedny]

Noel could play on a wing for us in the zone and be devastating, while Coleman was in the middle. Noel has the length and athleticism to do it.

Definately. He's got the feet to get out on the wing, and (more importantly) he LACKS THE BULK to defend in the middle. The kids is an off the ball shotblocker in the Hilton Armstrong mold, but ready to contribute immediately.

His position at SU would be PF (what we hoped RC would, and still might, be), and his position with an NBA team will be PF. 210-215 doesn't get him in the middle at SU or any pro team that I know of.

Guys keep bringing up Kentukcy. But they have already recruited a 7 foot center, and they have a 5 star forward coming in. My guess is .. if the center's servicable, they would probably put NN next to him as Davis plays off Jones now. Davis is a forward (he's, what, 215?) ... who's effective because he plays off the ball and lets Jones do the dirty work (when necessary) at 6'9-10 260. Jones is also listed as a forward, but if Ky plays, say, OSU, who do you think is going to be laying a body on Sully? Davis? lol.. no way. Jones will guard him and Davis will be freed up to do what he does.

This is exactly what NN will do for us next year next to DC2.