Michael Carter-Wiliams to make Bucks debut vs. Sixers

Share

MILWAUKEE — On Wednesday night the Sixers face the Bucks, or shall we say, the Sixers take on Michael Carter-Williams.

The Sixers' former point guard has yet to suit up for his new team because of a sprained right big toe. The injury had kept MCW out of the lineup for three games before the Sixers traded him last Thursday and for the three games after the trade.

"It is going to be awkward," coach Brett Brown said of seeing MCW in an opposing jersey. "It is going to be different. It is part of our jobs. I still communicate with Michael and K.J. (McDaniels) and I follow them every time they play — well every time K.J. plays.

"When Michael was still with us, he was going to play in the Milwaukee game. Maybe that is still the case, and he will play against us. I don't know. But it will be awkward."

According to Charles Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, MCW is indeed preparing to play Wednesday. Carter-Williams said as much after Milwaukee lost in Chicago Monday night.

"I'll be playing next game," Carter-Williams said. "I don't know how many minutes I'll be playing.

"I'm just going to try to learn the plays on offense as much as I can. The fewer plays I have to learn, the better it'll be for now. I definitely want to keep it in a small package and just get out and run."

Brown is not the only one who has mixed emotions facing a player the Sixers selected 11th overall in 2013. Nerlens Noel was selected five spots ahead of Carter-Williams in the same draft, and for that first NBA season the two were pictured everywhere as the faces of the Sixers' future.

"It is going to be something to play against him," Noel said Monday night. "I haven't played against him since high school, but it is going to be special going up against him. We will compete and hopefully get the better of them."

According to Noel, his Tilton High School team got the better of MCW's squad back in the day.

"We smacked them," Noel said.

One thing Carter-Williams may notice when he sees the other half of the "617 brothers" tomorrow night is the improvement in Noel's game.

Over his last 10 contests, the rookie center is averaging 11.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 3.2 blocks. He is shooting 54.7 percent from the floor and 71.7 percent from the foul line.

Brown does not know the "why" behind Noel's recent stretch, but he sure likes what he sees.

"It appears that way for whatever reason — who knows," Brown said, agreeing there is a difference in Noel's play and on-court demeanor. "Quite possibly he feels more responsibility and he is playing like it.

"To see his energy and his spirit, to see him go 8 for 10 from the free-throw line and look money and confident, to see his presence at the rim, he has really come a long way since the beginning of the year."

Noel had more insight. 

"I feel a greater responsibility defensively and offensively," Noel said. "I want to continue to progress. I find myself getting more into a rhythm as this season has unfolded. I just want to continue to build momentum."

The Sixers will try to snap a four-game losing streak Wednesday, as well as hold Milwaukee under 100 points. Over their last three games, teams are averaging 109.3 points per game against Brown's group.

The Bucks average 98.3 points per game, but since the All-Star break they have managed just 82 points a contest.

Contact Us