Coach Brett Brown said Monday before the 76ers' game vs. the Cavaliers that first round selection Nerlens Noel may not play this year. At all.
76ers head coach says he doubts Nerlens sees the court this season
— David Zavac (@DavidZavac) October 21, 2013
Noel tore his ACL last February while playing for Kentucky, then landed in Philadelphia after the Pelicans traded their No. 6 overall pick in June's draft and a 2014 first-round pick to the Sixers for Jrue Holiday.
It had been assumed that Noel would play at some point this season, even if it took the full 8-12 months of recovery time that the injury usually requires. But the Sixers are in full-on tank mode, and not being subtle about it. Their eyes are focused on next year's draft, and the season beyond. Keeping Noel out serves two purposes: it helps the kid recover with no expectations and no rush, and it helps the Sixers be worse based on low talent.
Still, it's going to fuel concerns about Noel's career, as any knee injury or prolonged recovery time before a player's first game does.
