First Impressions: A Center Comparison

Noel: What a high top fade!

Austin: I'm 7 feet Ma!

 On Wednesday, February 1, Nerlens Noel of The Tilton School re-classified to the class of 2012. This decision vaulted Noel from the No. 2 player in the class of 2013 (behind Jabari Parker) to the top ranked player in the class of 2012 (per ESPN). Considered one of the best high school shot blockers EVER, Noel jumped ahead of shooting guard Shabazz Muhammed and 7’0 center Isaiah Austin. With the Center position taking up two of the three top spots, a comparison seems only fitting. Both players possess completely different skill sets, however this comparison still brings to mind an old Bill Simmons’ column:

Simmons states in "I hate to be wrong, unless it's about Greg Oden:", “First impressions matter more in basketball than in any other sport, and they can be savored only in person. Players can't hide behind pads or helmets, so we can stare at them, evaluate every move they make. And if we happen to be watching a potential franchise center, we can tell right away. I remember watching young David Robinson stroll out of the tunnel at the Boston Garden as everyone made the same sound: "Whoa." Young Dikembe altered every shot within 12 feet, and eight blocks per game seemed realistic. Yes, you always remember the underwhelming and overwhelming moments of first impressions, especially with franchise bigs.”

When I first saw Noel and Austin play in back to back games in the 2011 City of Palms Classic I came away with a completely different set of impressions of the two top centers in the class of 2012. 

Before the game even started, Nerlens Noel exhibited a fearsome presence with his length and amazing high-top fade. Noel was also sporting pink Nike basketball shoes, but even this choice added to his aura. Needless to say he did not disappoint starting the game off with a monster jam and several blocked shots. It took Wilbraham and Monson almost seven minutes to score their first point and as a team shot 13% in the first half. This was almost entirely due to Noel who either blocked or altered every shot that came his way. When W&M had the rare chance at a fast break, Noel would step out of the lane and beckon the opponent to drive down the lane similar to a matador baiting a bull with his red flag. When Noel was challenged he responded in kind with a block that got the crowd off their feet. Other times, the opponent would began their path down the lane, only to quickly retreat to the 3 point line and set up their  half court offense. Noel finished this particular game with 8 points, 21 rebounds, and 6 blocks.

While not known for his offense, Noel showed a solid handle along with impressive speed running the court. He obviously has a long way to go with his offensive skill set, but with his rebounding prowess and shot-blocking ability he is ready to make an immediate impact on the collegiate level.

Isaiah Austin and his Grace Prep team played immediately after Noel’s in the City of Palms championship game. 7 feet tall and sporting a pair of rec specs, I immediately thought back once again to Simmons’ article describing Greg Oden: 

“I needed to fit him on my Whelm Scale. He ended up landing "under." His body sank within itself, like the token tall guy in college who decides it's better to slump than to listen to tall jokes for the next four years. Everything about his body language said, "I'm not healthy or confident in my body yet."His game lacked a certain fluidity that great centers usually have. It's the same quality that bothered me about the guy in college.”

Austin, unlike Noel, looked extremely uncomfortable and awkward in his movements during warm-ups. Once the game started I found myself thinking that Austin’s life would be much better if he were 6’7 and could play out on the wing full time. He showed off his post moves throughout the game; however he could not establish a strong post presence and was routinely pushed outside of the lane by Kansas commit Zach Peters. On the other hand, it isn't often that a seven footer sports the ability to bury a three pointer or a long jump shot while being able to run the floor with ease. Austin possesses all of those abilities, which is why he was ranked the No. 2 player in America before Noel’s decision to re-classify. While these abilities are extremely impressive for a player his size and age, I often thought that he lacked the necessary determination to dominate the game.

While it would appear that players ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the country would be pretty close in talent and skill set, this is not the case when looking at Noel and Austin. Noel will be able to make an immediate impact on the college level, with his grace, athleticism, shot blocking skills, and the ability to make an observer say “Whoa.” Austin, while being the third ranked player in the country will struggle to adapt to the college game at Baylor as he tries to determine if he wants to play in the post or float out to the perimeter. The 6’10 Noel gives off an intimidating presence pink shoes or no pink shoes, Austin on the other hand does not appear particularly confident as a 7 footer. 

“That's the thing about first impressions: Maybe they don't say everything, but you can't ignore them.”