With Joel Embiid sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Philadelphia 76ers need a center to step up and fill the gaping void left by their superstar. This was Adem Bona’s opportunity to prove to head coach Nick Nurse that he has matured defensively and can be more than just a role player in the rotation. However, his eagerness to impress only highlighted his tendency to foul, as he picked up two personal fouls in just one minute and 37 seconds on the floor.
Finding a capable Joel Embiid understudy has been a quest that the 76ers first embarked on many moons ago, and they have yet to uncover an answer that makes sense. In Adem Bona, Philadelphia has an athletic option that could potentially anchor a defense while contributing a significant number of points. Will he ever be a primary offensive option? Absolutely not. But his defensive anticipation around the rim has been beyond impressive.
Despite this shot-blocking prowess, Bona's Kryptonite has reared its ugly head above the parapet during the most important game of his career so far.
Bona's inability to avoid fouling is a serious problem for the 76ers
Few players in existence have entered the league as the complete package. Everybody must make mistakes and learn from them to continue to develop. This is not just true in basketball but in life in general. The true problems begin when mistakes become repetitive to the point that they essentially become a habit ingrained into a person's personality. Unfortunately for Bona, fouling has been a practice that he simply cannot shake.
Throughout the regular season, Bona appeared to address his fouling troubles -- averaging 2.2 personal fouls per game. Despite the clear improvement, it is the postseason in which a player can truly make their name, for better or for worse. With Embiid out of action, the 23-year-old had the chance to stake a larger role in the rotation when his superior teammates return to action. This was far from the case against the Boston Celtics.
Bona attempted to establish his presence on the floor early in the game, but with just one minute and 37 seconds on the clock, the young center found himself sitting on the bench contemplating how things went so catastrophically wrong. Boston's Neemias Queta targeted Bona with one of his side's opening possessions and drew an early foul.
It took only a matter of seconds for Bona to charge up the floor to make up for his earlier mishap, attacking the basket with tunnel vision. This emotional response led to a lack of awareness of his surroundings. Bona ignored his teammate open in the corner for an easy three-point attempt and charged into his defender, who was set perfectly, anticipating another mistake. Before Bona knew it, his number was up, and his bum was parked firmly on the 76ers bench.
Bona may only be getting his first taste of playoff basketball, but his tendency to foul is a headache the Philadelphia 76ers do not need right now. Without their dominant scoring presence in Embiid, the Sixers must establish a strong defensive identity, and the sophomore has the potential to be part of that blueprint. However, picking up two fouls in less than two minutes of a postseason matchup against the Boston Celtics will only erode any trust he has earned from head coach Nick Nurse.
Add us as a preferred source on Google