Noel 'all business' as Sixers begin workouts

GALLOWAY, N.J. - Nerlens Noel has spoken out about the 76ers' logjam at center, but he didn't let his disappointment hinder his performance Tuesday morning in a training-camp session at Stockton University.

"He handled [things] with me and in the training-camp session today like a pro," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "He came to mean it. He didn't back down at all. There was no moping or sulking or him being stubborn. He played."

"When I get on the court, it's all business strictly with my teammates and we are playing basketball," Noel said. "I'll leave all that to figure itself out at this time."

Noel voiced his concerns Sunday about the team's still having three starting-caliber centers: himself, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid.

Brown said that Embiid's minutes will be restricted and Okafor is getting over a knee injury from last season.

"I see early days' daylight, a bright white light for Nerlens Noel," he said. "He's the only one right now that has no restrictions. And so, you know, opportunity creates different things."

Brown said Noel is going play a lot in Tuesday's preseason opener against Boston at the University of Massachusetts.

NBA players probably will have some sort of demonstrations similar to those by other athletes during the national anthem. Players are following the example set by Colin Kaepernick's national anthem protests, which are intended to increase awareness of social injustice, particularly the oppression of African Americans.

But Sixers veteran Elton Brand believes the displays will not occur during the anthem. The 18th-year veteran said players have received emails and text messages from the National Basketball Players Association.

"My opinion is if you want to stand for something, that's a good thing, especially . . . the injustices that are going on right now," Brand said. "Even in our locker room, we are discussing things like this"

Brand pointed out that the Sixers have several international players, so the team has also discussed standing up for social injustice in those players' countries.

The Sixers had dinner with Philadelphia native Will Smith on Monday night at One Liberty Place. The actor is a minority owner of the team.

Smith gave the players advice and his opinion on his best and worst movies. The Sixers were unaware that he was going to be at the dinner.

So what was the reaction when Smith walked into the room?

"Star-struck," Noel said. "It's hard to get starstruck nowadays. But when you see Will Smith, it's a whole different ball game."