Mbah a Moute aims to be more than Embiid's mentor

Long before he was known as Joel Embiid's mentor, Luc Mbah a Moute was regarded as one of the top defenders in the NBA.

The 6-foot-8, 230-pounder always drew the toughest task, whether it was guarding a swingman or a post player. Mbah a Moute focused strictly on being a defensive stopper - until now.

"I think on this team, the way we play, there's going to be a lot of opportunities offensively for me to contribute, whether it's in the post or driving," Mbah a Moute said Wednesday before the 76ers defeated the Charlotte Hornets, 106-92, in a preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center.

"I also work on my shot," he added. "So stretching the floor, hitting shots, I think that's going to be important for the team, too."

He finished with five points, four assists, two rebounds, and a steal in 12 minutes for the Sixers (1-1).

The Sixers acquired the forward from Minnesota along with Alexey Shved and a 2015 second-round pick in the Thaddeus Young trade in August. This is Mbah a Moute's fourth team in 13 months.

Milwaukee traded him to Sacramento in July 2013. Four months later, the Kings sent him to the Timberwolves.

The seventh-year player admitted that the trades were hard on him.

"Everybody has his own journey in the NBA, and that's mine," he said.

He also is advising his protege and fellow Cameroonian, Embiid.

Embiid was selected third overall in the NBA draft in June after his freshman season at Kansas. The 7-foot center is expected to miss the entire season after foot surgery.

His journey to become a lottery pick may never have happened without Mbah a Moute's help.

He discovered Embiid in 2011 at a basketball camp in their homeland. Mbah a Moute has advised the 20-year-old ever since.

"It's kind of like a big-brother, younger-brother relationship," Mbah a Moute said. "I've mentored him the last four years since I saw him back home and brought him over" to the United States to attend high school.

"It's been interesting to see him grow from a young kid back home to an NBA player."

It will be interesting to see if Mbah a Moute, who has an expiring contract, remains with the Sixers past this season. The team could benefit by re-signing him based on his relationship with Embiid.

"I don't personally think about that right now," said Mbah a Moute, 28. "My main focus is this season and having a great season as a team and individually.

"When it comes to the end of the season, we will look to see where we are at and make those decisions."

Noel much better

Nerlens Noel eased concerns after Monday's subpar performance. The rookie had 10 points and three assists to go with game highs of nine rebounds and three blocks.

"I felt more comfortable tonight," said Noel, who scored only four points against Boston on Monday. "I'm still not where I want to be. I have to continue working and get a feel for the offense more, actually playing against other NBA players."

Coach Brett Brown said this was the Noel that the team sees in practice. "I think the game slowed down for him tonight - that let him play well," Brown said. "You could see signs of how I could use him better, and how he could slowly just inch along and continue to progress."

Tony Wroten had game highs of 15 points and seven assists. Sixers shooting guard Hollis Thompson was hit in the left eye in the first quarter. He suffered a corneal abrasion and did not return.