Finding Joel Embiid's understudy has been a tall order for the Philadelphia 76ers, but maybe they have been looking at it from the wrong angle. Replacing a player of Embiid's caliber with just one option is nigh on impossible; pairing two bigs in the same lineup could be the best way to maintain a physical presence on the floor. Adem Bona and Jabari Walker showed glimpses of what the partnership could look like in the Sixers' 109-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
Maybe it's time to accept that no team would ever find a replacement for a star like Joel Embiid. A player holding a career average of 27.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game is quite a rarity. Philadelphia has wasted countless years trying to find a capable substitute who can match his physical output, at the very least.
Each season, the 76ers' roster falls apart like a jigsaw puzzle in its box when Embiid is struck down by his annual injury issue. However, the Sixers might have finally found a solution. The answer to this conundrum is not singular, but plural.
The Sixers need physicality, not scoring
Pairing up Adem Bona and Jabari Walker might seem like a ridiculous Joel Embiid replacement to fans, but with the star-studded roster Nick Nurse has at his disposal, this partnership makes perfect sense for the Sixers. Both options can bring physicality, hustle, and energy, with their colleague watching on from the sidelines.
Tyrese Maxey has already firmly pushed his name into MVP conversations, averaging 29.6 points per game. LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe are all contributing nicely to the Sixers' offense. Realistically, Embiid's replacement doesn't have to match his points tally, but they must be able to assume his other physical duties.
That's exactly why Bona and Walker enter the picture. The duo will hardly dominate offensively, but their defensive track record will add stability to Philadelphia's lineup. Obviously, this would be a rotational solution rather than a starting one. Nevertheless, when Edgecombe, Brown, or even LeBron drops to the bench, Bona and Walker would reduce the dirty work Tyrese Maxey is expected to do defensively.
During the 76ers' win over the Hornets, Adem Bona and Jabari Walker shared the floor sporadically. Still, the small sample size was enough to show Nick Nurse the benefits this partnership possesses. Walker's 12-point, 6-rebound performance revealed that his board presence runs in parallel with his efficient paint scoring. By comparison, Bona's 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block highlighted his role as the more defensively-minded player of the pair.
The most important aspect of this partnership is the physical edge both players can bring to the lineup, while their surrounding cast can concentrate on maintaining the team's momentum. Although Embiid may be less of an offensive priority in his current form, his defensive skill remains vital to the 76ers' championship ambitions. That's what makes the Bona-Walker partnership such an interesting yet brilliant fit.
If Adem Bona and Jabari Walker are given time to blossom in this partnership, the 76ers will benefit greatly. Non-Embiid minutes don't really require a devastating scoring contribution from the bench; they demand defensive stability that allows the roster's other stars to thrive. That's exactly what the duo can provide.
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