Nerlens Noel’s per-36 stats this season: 13/12/1.5/2.5/3.5. Also almost 6 fouls, but when you’re getting those kind of defensive numbers, you live with a few fouls. Those steals aren’t going to steal themselves.
I doubt I’m the only one who didn’t realize that the Thunder basically have a walking five-by-five coming off the bench in addition to Mr. Statpad Triple-Double. I get the feeling that if your name isn’t Russell Westbrook or Paul George or maybe Steven Adams (for the memes), and you play on the Thunder, no one is going to pay attention to you. Even if you are stuffing the statsheet like you want to get another payday after foolishly turning down a huge contract only to have to fight for scraps a year later.
Noel’s midrange jumper makes a reappearance in this video, and guess what, it still looks as messed up as always. I remember when he added that shot to his repertoire, and the end result was that he was one of the worst midrange shooters in the league. It goes in, sometimes, but I think that’s because literally any shooting motion can be made to work at least a little bit. Just look at Michael-Kidd-Gilchrist. Enough reps in an empty gym grants a sort of baseline competency, and Noel is right there at that baseline.