Adem Bona and his Philadelphia 76ers career are very much on a knife-edge. Heading into the third year of his professional career, the Turkish international has yet to show maturity or dominance to prove he is the perfect understudy to Joel Embiid. To make matters worse, his employer bolstered the center position by adding Ariel Hukporti to the ranks. Bona will also have to contend with Johni Broome after several impressive Summer League performances.
Johni Broome made a statement in the NBA Summer League
After a rookie year riddled with bad form and injury issues, Johni Broome's future with the 76ers was unclear. This inconsistency in availability and performance limited the Auburn alum to just 11 games during his first season in Philadelphia.
Averaging 0.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while shooting 16.7 percent from the floor is usually enough to boot a player out of a franchise with little remorse. Yet, Mike Gansey and Nick Nurse clearly believed the forward deserved another bite at the cherry.
Second chances are a difficult prospect to stumble across throughout the relentless world of the NBA. However, Broome has snatched at it with both hands. Although his opponent has not been of All-Star caliber, a player can only face what is put in front of them. Throughout his four Summer League appearances, Broome recorded 14.7 points, nine rebounds, and one block per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the floor.
This is not enough to salvage his Sixers career, but it is solid groundwork in gaining the trust of Philadelphia's hierarchy, and frankly, the 76ers are in no position to turn down affordable Embiid alternatives -- especially due to the lack of progress in Adem Bona's development.
It is now or never for Bona
Heading into the third and final year of his rookie contract, Adem Bona can't afford to display the same immature mistakes that have forced Nick Nurse to reduce his minutes throughout his career so far.
Bona's defensive acumen and athleticism can be a deadly combination that could potentially make him a valuable asset to the 76ers, but his addiction to fouling is a problem that has hindered Philadelphia in pivotal moments. If Bona can reduce these moments of madness and prove that he can make a positive contribution when Joel Embiid is not present, he could become the understudy that the franchise has needed for countless years.
Averaging 1.2 blocks over 16.6 minutes per game throughout his young career is no small feat. These are numbers that suggest a future All-NBA defender is hidden beneath the childish decision-making. However, in a social media world that thrives on clipped highlights, it will be difficult for Bona to dispel the reputation he has established for himself.
Still, at the age of 23, Adem Bona's career is far from over, but there is little time remaining for him to prove himself in Philadelphia. This must be the year in which he transforms his defensive potential into actual talent. If he can't muster up an improved campaign, Johni Broome's Summer League antics may be enough to knock him further down the pecking order.
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