With expectations higher than anticipated for the Philadelphia 76ers, Adem Bona is pushing to stake a claim to the role of backup center. The Sixers' second-year center has made a statement early this season, converting his high-energy defense into meaningful minutes, but has struggled with consistency in the team’s first four games.
With the backup center being one of the most important roles on Philadelphia’s roster, given Joel Embiid’s injury history, the Sixers have two players competing for that role. Bona and Andre Drummond entered the season as options that the Sixers hoped would step up and take control of the battle. Drummond had an injury-riddled and disappointing year, which allowed Bona to play last season to gain a ton of game experience.
Throughout training camp and the preseason, it appeared that the coaching staff gave Bona ample runway to secure the minutes behind Embiid. Even in the first two games, he was the first big man off the bench but didn’t do much to seize the opportunity.
Bona got into foul trouble and didn’t affect the game like the Sixers needed him to. This led to head coach Nick Nurse going to Drummond more often than he initially anticipated.
Over the last two contests, the second-year center has shown up defensively when the Sixers have needed him down the stretch. Against the Hornets, he tallied seven points, four rebounds, and three blocks. He also helped the Sixers in their comeback win against the Washington Wizards in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.
Bona blocked five shots late in that game to help change the momentum and protect the rim when the Sixers struggled all night. His two points were the most important points of the night, following up a Tyrese Maxey floater that ended up short and putting it back for a dunk to give the Sixers the lead for good.
Andre Drummond remains a proven rebounder and veteran presence with a resume that demands respect, and he has been working to stay in the mix for steady minutes. The difference between him and Bona is stylistic and situational. Drummond’s value is predictable strength on the glass and experience, while Bona offers switchability, chase-down blocks, and vertical deterrence that can change late-game possessions. Bona’s recent clutch plays give him the edge in the rotation, with Nick Nurse valuing high-energy players who can protect the rim.
The former UCLA standout’s recent performances have moved the needle, but to truly secure the backup role, he needs to reduce his foul trouble, demonstrate consistent rebounding and defensive positioning, and maintain the same level of urgency and energy every night.
While both Drummond and Bona will be counted on throughout the season, if the latter can continue producing game-changing plays in crunch time while cleaning up small mistakes that come with youth, the Sixers will rely on him as the primary backup for Joel Embiid. He has the runway; he needs to take the bull by the horns.
