When the Sixers selected Adem Bona with the 41st overall pick, he was not expected to see much playing time early on. He was third in the depth chart behind former MVP Joel Embiid and the experienced Andre Drummond, and arguably fourth as Guerschon Yabusele established his ability to play as a small ball five. but in recent weeks, he’s been called into action due to the injury bug that has hit the Sixers.
Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond were expected to take most of the minutes, but Embiid played only 14 games, while Drummond played just 28 of 50 games. Being thrust into action has allowed him to learn on the fly and get more comfortable in the NBA. He talked at length with the media about his experiences thus far, and when asked if he was getting more comfortable with steady minutes.
“Yeah, I guess, that happens with minutes. When you start playing, you get more comfortable. Being on the floor gives you confidence. So, I just believe that comes with playing.”
He scored 11 points in the lost to the Miami Heat and has scored in double digits three times in the last month. He’s finding his niche on offensive, crashing the glass and rolling hard to the rim and has had some really athletic dunks in recent weeks.
Bona has also been learning from his teammates since he has been playing more, and he is taking advice to improve his play when given opportunities. Bona mentioned Reggie Jackson, who the Sixers traded the following day, talking with him after the game last night.
“Reggie does that a lot, because there’s a situation during the game, I kind of got stuck, am I setting the screen, or am I slipping, he was talking me through…he was just talking to me about my pace.”
He also mentioned how much of an impact Tyrese Maxey has made on him and the team so far this season.
“First of all, he’s an amazing person, and he’s an amazing basketball player too…he just elevates your game. To be able to set screens for him to get open, that makes me look good. It’s just a blessing to be able to have someone like that as your teammate.”
The second-round pick from UCLA also knows he needs to work on becoming more consistent in his minutes, which would allow the coaching staff to trust him more.
“Defensively, I got to be able to limit the fouls, you know, be able to show the ref my hands and get cheap fouls…I think there’s little changes, I just have to adjust to, knowing personnel.”
Bona is making the best of a tough situation and wouldn’t likely have hit the court if the Sixers hadn’t experienced so many injuries. To his credit, he keeps getting better and hoping the Sixers can count on him in the future.
