Nerlens Noel continued to make a strong case for rookie of the year during last night’s win over the Knicks.

Noel had a career-high 23 points to go with 14 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 blocks making him the first rookie since Shaq to put up a 20pt/10reb/5stl/3blk game and the youngest to ever to do it at 20 years old.

“He’s had a hell of a year,” Brown said. “I’d say you have to pay attention to Nerlens. His defensive presence, his ability to steal and block shots, what he’s now doing in regard to finishing … I think he has to be in the mix of that conversation.”

Just too bad he didn’t end up with 6 blocks.