For Nerlens Noel, his first season with the Thunder appears to be going quite well after listening to the fifth-year center on Monday afternoon following practice.

With the Thunder in third place in the Western Conference at 36-19, the team has experienced quite a bit of success this season, something that Noel hasn’t seen much of during his time in the NBA.

Noel made his NBA debut with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2014-15 season as the organization was in the midst of its rebuild and Noel was later traded to the Dallas Mavericks two years ago at the trade deadline.

The 6-foot-11 center had a rocky stint with the Mavericks after battling injuries, inconsistent playing time and other related issues that ultimately led to him joining the Thunder last summer.

For the first time in a while, Noel is having fun playing basketball.

“I’m having fun playing basketball,” Noel said Monday. “Guys are so enthusiastic and we have leadership in the locker room. Guys want to come in and play basketball every day and look forward to winning games. It’s all I have ever dreamed of playing in the NBA. It’s ideal right now. There is a goal; something that you’re playing toward. It makes the most sense to me. It gives me a purpose every time step I step out on that court, every time I step in the locker room. Guys are just so involved with each other. It’s a complete team.”

Noel has become an anchor for a defensive unit that ranks third in the NBA. While he is averaging just 4.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, his per-36 minute stats are impressive: 12.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.5 blocks and 2.5 steals.

Although he is playing 14.3 minutes per game, his per-36 minute stats offer a glimpse of what he could do in an expanded role for the Thunder. In two starts this season, Noel is averaging 16 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and 2.5 steals.

Noel has certainly had a rocky start to his career at times but it appears as though he is in a better place now and is playing good basketball for the Thunder in a limited role. Noel has a player option for next season so his future is far from decided but he has been a great pick up thus far.