Through the first six games of the 2024-25 regular season, the Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a tough spot with a meager 1-5 record, good for 14th in the Eastern Conference. While injuries have hampered the team, one does not simply tout that record through no fault of its own. Put simply, the team has also really struggled to make the most of what they have.
Just last night, the 76ers once again fell short on the road against the upstart Suns. Despite welcoming Paul George back after a lengthy absence dating back to the preseason, Philly somehow managed to still blow a considerable lead late in the fourth quarter en route to a tight loss.
Having said that, last nigt was not bereft of bright spots. A bevy of players for the 76ers played particularly well, and one especially made a case to be given a significant role change with the way he played.
The 76ers must give Guerschon Yabusele more minutes
Guerschon Yabusele has been a pleasant surprise for the 76ers thus far. After coming over from Europe to make his NBA return thanks to a breakout Olympics stint, the Frenchman has put together a very solid start to the season for Philly off the bench.
Against the Suns, he looked like the team’s second-best player behind Tyrese Maxey, finishing the night with 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while canning five of his 11 three-point tries in 30 minutes of game play.
Yabusele logged the most minutes he’s played this season, but overall, his uptick in minutes should have some more permanence. This season, he’s logging just 21.3 minutes per outing, a njumber that should see an uptick given his solid production on both ends.
The burly forward has undeniably been the 76ers’ most solid option off the bench in the early going. Doubling as a forward and a small-ball five in the interim, he’s made the most of his minutes and has shown more than enough to be a fixture in Nick Nurse’s rotation.
Even when Joel Embiid returns, the 76ers should keep giving extended minutes to Yabusele. He’s been a prolific three-point shooter while also living up to his billing as an effective bruiser down low. His passing and court vision have also been impressive.
While the Philadelphia 76ers have struggled to notch wins, the emergence of Guerschon Yabusele is certainly a very bright silver lining that only stands to dazzle even more as long as he’s given more attendant exposure.