As one of the public faces of the Philadelphia 76ers, chief executive officer Scott O'Neil has had to take his fair share of lumps for both the sins of the franchise's past and the league-incensing, perhaps rule-change-inducing tack that the organization's presently pursuing ("We don't use the T word — just so you know"). But he's also responsible for trying to manufacture and spread some excitement surrounding the two-years-away-from-two-years-away squad. In a ticket-sale-promoting interview with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia's Molly Sullivan during the Sixers' Wednesday preseason home opener, O'Neil showed how seriously he takes his task ... with a little help from his tailor.
"It always starts with family, and it is a wonderful time here, but more importantly, this is a team that is Philly's team, and we can buy in and believe in them," O'Neil said. "[Head coach] Brett [Brown] is a wonderful example of what we're trying to build and drive in this culture, which is about the front of the jersey over the back of the jersey."
(Well, yeah. We don't recognize most of the names on the backs of the jerseys, either.)
"And we're getting our Rookie of the Year back, Michael Carter-Williams," O'Neil continued. "Nerlens Noel — hold on, let me show it ..."
... at which point O'Neil showed us what he keeps in the lining (no Clipse):
Yep, that's Noel's No. 4 jersey in Philly's home white, tucked into O'Neil's coat.
"A little shout-out to my man Nerlens," O'Neil explained.
As you might remember, Noel made a similar sartorial statement on the night of the 2013 NBA draft, showing cameras that he'd had his Kentucky jersey sewn into the lining of his suit jacket as he prepared to walk to the stage and shake hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern. (The whole "special item on the interior lining" thing has become something of a trend over the past two drafts.)
That was one of relatively few noteworthy points during Noel's first year in the pros, a campaign scuttled by rehabilitation from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The Sixers kept their prized pick shelved for the duration of the season, preferring to let him learn from the sidelines even after (according to him) he'd returned to full health with an eye toward giving him a fresh start in 2014-15.
Whether that was the right choice remains to be seen, but regardless, Noel's now healthy, moving well (clearly) and likely to play major minutes and a major role for Brown's club this season.
"We're excited to have him on the court," O'Neil said. "We are rolling and ready to go."
They certainly were on Wednesday night, as the Sixers topped the visiting Charlotte Hornets, 106-92, thanks to strong outings from guard Tony Wroten (15 points, seven assists, six rebounds and a steal in 23 minutes) and O'Neil's fashion inspiration, who bounced back from a struggle-filled preseason debut against the Boston Celtics on Monday.
"I felt more comfortable tonight, but I'm still not where I want to be," said Noel, who finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 31 minutes, according to Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News. "I have to continue working and just get a feel for the offense more."
If he can do that while living up to his significant potential as a game-changing interior defender, a grateful and evangelical O'Neil might wind up moving his tribute from the lining to the outside of his suit, in sort of a Clipper Darrell-meets-Mariah Carey type of situation. That'd be something to look forward to in what promises to be a pretty dreary Sixers season, if nothing else.
Hat-tip to Enrico Campitelli at the venerable 700 Level.
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Dan Devine is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at devine@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
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