Nerlens Noel missed the 2013-14 season with a torn ACL, so his rookie season was pushed back a year. It did not disappoint.
Lost in Philadelphia’s 18-win season was a 6-foot-11, 228 pound defensive wizard who turn 21 years old with a week left in the season.
While offensively challenged, Noel turned in the defensive season of a veteran.
Noel ranked 9th in block percentage and 6th in steals percentage. He became the first player since Ben Wallace in 2005-06 to rank in the top 10 in both categories.
Noel also led the entire NBA in deflections (119) and deflection rate. His length – 7-foot-4 wingspan – helped Philadelphia force turnovers on 14.5% of opponents’ possessions, the second-highest percentage in the league behind the Milwaukee Bucks.
Noel also changed and altered shots at a frenetic rate. He allowed just .89 points per shot, among the league leaders.
Nerlens Noel
2014-15 Season
NBA Rank
Defensive Rating 99.2 8th
Defensive Box Score Plus/Minus 4.5 4th
Block Pct 5.0 9th
Steals Pct 2.9 6th
Peter Newmann is a researcher, writer and analyst who spent 10 years at ESPN compiling daily news roundups for the network’s NBA staff. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his Web site.
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