What Philadelphia 76ers Need from Nerlens Noel This Season

Nerlens Noel's potential is more than clear to anybody who's seen him play, but will it translate to his rookie season with the Philadelphia 76ers?

Philadelphia isn't expected to surprise anyone and end the 2014-15 season better than last year's 17-65 record. Still though, having the NBA's youngest team, with an average age of 23.4, means there's plenty of time for the squad's youth to come into their own.

One of the key pieces in Philly's future happens to be Noel.

Let's take a look at what the Sixers need out of their 20-year-old center.

Energy

Losing is never fun, but it's much more difficult when it looks like some of a team’s personnel aren't even playing hard. The majority of basketball fans would be thrilled to put a jersey on and step onto a court for just one minute. Failing to give the right amount of effort makes it look like the player isn't even appreciating the situation they're in.

Noel needs to be Philadelphia's leader when it comes to hustle. He's nowhere close to being the most talented player, but it shouldn't have an impact on how hard he tries on the floor.

The good news for Sixers fans? It doesn't look like Noel knows anything other than playing his heart out. Track his games all the way back to high school, and you can see how much he cares about winning. Jump up to the college level, and it's just as apparent. 

There's no reason to assume that he'll behave differently on the Sixers.

Hedging ball screens with enthusiasm, directing traffic while on on the block and consistently trying to make the extra play will be crucial toward building confidence.

Not just short-term, either. The kind of confidence he'll be able to build on.

Rim Protection

This one's no surprise. Philadelphia needs Noel to do what he does best.

Block and change shots at the rim.

Noel's time at the University of Kentucky was cut short because of a torn left ACL 24 games into the season, but he made his mark on the defensive end during his time with the team. An average of 4.4 blocks per game won't translate in exactly the same way when it comes to the NBA, but the way he secured the majority of his blocks does.

Noel is a help-side defender through and through. Being a one-on-one defender isn't in his best interest as there's no weight on his frame, yet his length can still make up for his lack of mass at times. Even with his physical tools, though, he works best when he can leave his man and jump across the key in order to alter shots.

It's the perfect way to get blocks at the NBA level, where spacing and gaps to drive the lane are at a premium. Rotational defense is crucial toward a team's success and couldn't be a better fit for Noel and how he plays defense.

The Sixers finished last season ranked as the No. 21 team in points in the paint allowed per game, at 44.2. Improving on this number by as much as four points would mean the difference between a number of wins and losses.

Michael Perez/Associated Press/Associated Press

65 Games

Noel won't be effective if he's watching the games while fixing his tie on the bench. He needs to stay healthy enough to play in at least 65 games if he wants to make the impact he's both capable of and that the team deserves.

Philadelphia's been pretty clear about how it'll play him if we look at what took place over the summer. There will be times where he strings multiple contests together because that's what the schedule permits. However, back-to-back games will be the real challenge. Philly was adamant about resting him on consecutive nights over the summer, and there's a chance of the team doing the same during the 2014-15 season.

It might not be something that happens every time seeing as how the Sixers play in 19 separate back-to-back games this year, but it would be surprising to see his occasional removal not take place.

There's a feeling of relief as we get closer to opening night. The 2013-14 season was long enough based on how poorly the team did. Adding in Noel's year-long absence was enough to push it all over the edge.

It's time to see why general manager Sam Hinkie traded All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday for the chance to take Noel in the 2013 draft.

Being patient hasn't been easy, but hopefully it's been more than worth the wait.