Despite being shorthanded, the Philadelphia 76ers actually had a decent start against the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, in true OKC fashion, the hosts turned it up after the halftime break, pulling away in the third quarter en route to a comfortable 25-win, which also sends the visitors to their third straight loss.
But despite the loss, the 76ers are not exactly bereft of silver linings in what was probably their toughest game yet this season. After all, they did manage to get a great performance from sophomore big man Adem Bona, who turned in one of, if not his best game yet this season.
Against the Thunder, the 22-year-old Bona turned in 11 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks. He played a season-high 28 minutes, filling in for the sidelined Joel Embiid who was held out due to an ankle issue. Suffice to say that he made the most of his ample minutes, which is wayward from what he has shown so far in this campaign.
Adem Bona might be turning a corner for the 76ers
Bona was widely expected to be Embiid’s main backup for the 76ers this season. However, that nod has been given to Andre Drummond, albeit deservedly so, thanks in large part as well to the young big man not really expanding his game to the coaching staff’s liking.
However, since returning from injury, Bona is starting to play much better on both ends of the floor. While Drummond will still man the primary backup role when Embiid is in uniform, Nick Nurse and the coaching staff will certainly appreciate Bona’s extra effort on defense and on the boards, making him someone they can deploy to mix things up.
Bona does have something which Embiid and Drummond do not — vertical spacing. He is a constant lob threat, and against certain matchups, he might just be a better option than the veteran Drummond.
Of course, Bona will have to do a lot more — and with more consistency, at that — if he wants to get more minutes. For example, he needs to be more disciplined on the defensive end. In his last 10 games, he is averaging more than three fouls a game despite logging just a hair above 19 minutes per outing.
The 76ers need Adem Bona — there is no arguing that. As such, he needs to be impactful on a consistent manner, lest his role will continue to vacillate heavily from night in and out.