He's not going to be a superstar, but he'll be a top 5 defensive centerpiece which is something every team can use.
He's already kind of injury prone despite carrying a dismal amount of weight. But if Dwight seriously got hurt or was going to not remain a Rocket, the organization should consider a trade straight up for Noel and some fillers. He and Capela could go at it in practice.
What do you mean build around? Do you mean as a part of your core or as a sole star? Because hes a great defensive center (pf???) great rim protecting insticts but lacks any offensive skills. No post game, no face up game, no shooting ,bad hands..He can guard also forwards in the perimeter because hes mobile. Can any team build around that? Not in my opinion. But as second banana or third yes. Hes still very young so theres still a chance he manages to develop the midrange hes working on but i just dont see it. Also hes not very injury prone. He only had an acl at college and he has recovered completely.
Can he be the starting center on an elite team? If healthy, yes. Is he a true star? No Is he a franchise player? No
My guess is somewhere between Theo Ratliff and Tyson Chandler.... Which is a role player, but a very good and important one. However like Ratliff, health is his biggest issue.
His highest potential is to be the 3rd best player on a championship team. Like most players, he probably won't reach his potential.
Very different players. Noel is mobile and can guard forwards in the perimeter and run a fast break. Hibbert cant. Noel is kore like a better marcus camby.
Noel is a younger Dwight Howard. With good coaching, he has the Potential to be a star. However, presently on the 6'ers, there's too many bigs in the same situation. If Philly trades him or his competition, he'll have room to grow into a 2nd or 3rd option. IF (& that's a big if) his body lets him.
He'll be better than people think. I wish the presence of okafor wouldnt force him to be even more defensive minded and less offensive minded. If he could learn to shoot corner 3s, top of the key 3s, and little inside gimmies he becames a bigger & better Ibaka. Thats franchise material. His defense alone is something worth keeping.
He has potential especially since he seems to be working on his dribble drive game. I think he can be a defensive monster though which leads me to think the answer the the OP question is yes.
There was a really good grantland piece about how forgotten Camby is. Noel wishes he could get to that level.
the same point being rookie year? We are talking about potential here of a 21 y.o. oohh nice I will check it out! Now that we had the boring offseason they should have done more of old players articles.
Guys don't typically develop like Ibaka, what he's been able to do in such a short amount of time is incredible. He'll never be the shooter Ibaka is, he has potential to be an even better defender, but he'll never come close to Ibaka on offense.
he's a defensive anchor. can you build around him? probably not. but he has a chance to be a max player.
