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Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel want to play together; Brett Brown says not yet

Philadelphia 76ers Media Day

CAMDEN, NJ - SEPTEMBER 26: Nerlens Noel #4 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during media day on September 26, 2016 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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Philadephia coach Brett Brown has said he plans to stick with the Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor front line a little longer, he wants to see how they fit together over a stretch of time. So far, they are a defensive disaster together — allowing 111.7 points per 100 possessions, 6.2 worse than the Sixers season defense — but Brown wants a longer look.

Meanwhile, Embiid and Noel want to play together and see what that looks like. Embiid lobbied for it the other day, speaking to Jessica Camerato of CSNPhilly.com.

“I also want to get on the court and see what we can look like together because I like him and I want to play with everybody,” Embiid said after the Sixers’ 108-93 loss to the Pelicans. “I feel like if we’re trying something, I feel like we should try the other thing too. Hopefully in the future they do that.”

“I loved (the fan support Noel got entering the game). He’s my best friend on the team and I was really happy for him,” Embiid said, also noting, “I thought he should have played more.”


Thursday Noel made the same pitch, suggesting it would be a good defensive front line.
“I think it will be very interesting,” Noel said. “I think it will have some positives and we’ll work through the negatives. But I think defensively, we’ll be something to reckon with.”

The Sixers start a four-game road trip Thursday, and here is what Brown said about his front line rotation for now:
“We’re now at four games starting Jahlil and Joel, and my intention is we’ll see this road trip out and begin the new year and reassess,” Brown said. “I think with eight games as a body of work, we can judge it more accurately and feel what’s best for the team and the players. Ultimately, the whole program needs to be based on defense. Whatever that equals in relation to who’s on the floor is the direction I’m going to take the program.”

Noel wants to play, he’s also clearly been open to the idea of being moved from the Sixers’ crowded frontcourt. But to get moved, he needs to be showcased a little.

Brown can be patient, there are no expectations of racking up wins to reach the playoffs in Philly. Brown can take his time to see what the pairings look like. But the Noel and Embiid one can’t really be worse than the Okafor/Embiid one, can it?