Nerlens Noel Becoming a Force for Sixers

Sixers rookie Nerlens Noel is showing fans what kind of player he could be and it has many NBA fans talking about him for rookie of the year.

On Wednesday, Noel exploded for 14 points, 15 boards, two assists, four steals, four blocks in 33 minutes in the Sixers win over the Nuggets. Noel blocked six shots in a loss to the Kings on Tuesday while also adding 14 points, 10 boards and three assists.

Over the last five games, Noel is averaging 15.0 points, 11.5 boards, 1.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.8 blocks on 56.1 percent from the field.

It appears the Sixers have found themselves a legitimate force at least on the defensive end of the floor, but Noel has improved dramatically on the offensive end as well.

Noel is putting up some monster numbers since the all-star break bringing his season averages to 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, showing the reason why many thought he would be the top overall pick in the draft two years ago before tearing his ACL at Kentucky.

By comparison, Anthony Davis, the top pick in the 2012 draft, scored 13.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game as a rookie. Today Davis is one of the top players in the NBA scoring 24. 6 points per game, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.9 blocks per night.

So Sixers fans, what is the ceiling of Noel?  Who would you compare him too?

(Listen to Sixers insider Derek Bodner discuss Nerlens Noel, the NBA Draft and more)