3 Biggest takeaways as 76ers bow down to Jazz in Summer League

Undersized Bona can match up with seven-footers

Stats: 21 minutes, 4 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover

Bona may be listed at 6’ 8”, but you couldn’t tell. With Kessler suiting up, this game proved to be a good opportunity to see how Bona would match up against a seven-footer. He did a commendable job but obviously, he’s got some work to do as Kessler collected six offensive rebounds during the game.

Granted, it is a tough task to secure rebounds playing out of a zone defense. Effort and physicality are not a problem. Bona seeks contact like surfers search for waves. He’s like a heat seeking missile identifying his target once the shot goes up. And man, he hits his target with force. 

The issue lies in his positioning. Overhelping puts him out of position to secure the rebound. He improved his discipline from earlier contests and did not leave the ground early like he did before. Only committing three fouls while collecting four steals and two blocks speaks to that.

It’s obvious that opposing teams are taking notice and thinking twice before challenging him at the rim. Over and over, opposition catch the ball in the paint and pause for a second scanning their environment to locate Bona. If he rounds out his defensive positioning, he’ll be just fine. 

Ohh and as always, he’ll provide regular highlights.