3 Biggest trends as the 76ers come up short in tight Summer League affair
Philly’s team defense remains stingy
Scoring against the 76ers has been difficult for each of their opponents. Generally, field goal percentages are lower during the Summer League compared to the regular season but against the 76ers, teams have shot below 40 percent from the field during three of the five games played.
The best an opponent has shot against the 76ers was the 44.1 percent the Jazz did during their matchup. The combination of zone defense and Bona’s paint presence has affected their opponents.
Bona has tallied 17 blocks during the Summer League averaging 3.4 blocks per game. Bona is inviting all parties to his block party.
🇳🇬 Adem Bona’s Top Plays of the Day! From epic dunks to crucial blocks, watch him light up the court! 🔥🏀#NBANigeria #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/7Q0cmBOImp
— NBA Nigeria (@NBANigeria) July 16, 2024
Fans may talk about Clingan’s dunk on Bona, but he was unphased and responded right back on the next possession with a thunderous response.
“That doesn’t change anything for me. A shot blocker always gets dunked on because you’re gonna jump … I’m probably gonna get caught a couple more times, and I’m gonna keep jumping and try to block every shot.”
— Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) July 16, 2024
Adem Bona on Donovan Clingan’s dunk over him: pic.twitter.com/XOkZaQZNxR
Unfortunately, Philly is having a hard time obtaining defensive rebounds leading to too many second chance opportunities for their opponents. There is a balance between the right positioning for defensive rebounds and contesting shots that Bona is searching for.
Finding that balance while maintaining his ability to influence shots at the rim will go a long way in his development.