PHILADELPHIA — As the Philadelphia 76ers move forward, they are going to need second-year big man Adem Bona to step up and contribute off the bench as they look to bounce back from a tough season. As an undrafted rookie, Bona had some great moments, but the Sixers need him to take another step.

Through three games in the preseason, Bona has had some terrific moments. He has been a reliable shot blocker, somebody who can be counted on as the roll man off the screen, and he has been an energetic rebounder.

However, the fouls are an issue. He had four fouls in the preseason opener in Abu Dhabi, then two in the second game, and then picked up two in the first two minutes on Friday against the Orlando Magic. He finished with three points for the game, and star guard Tyrese Maxey praised Bona for his play, but he was also upset with the fouls.

“I think he’s playing really good,” Maxey said after the loss to the Magic. “I just told him, the only problem I have with Bona is stop fouling. Stop fouling dude. Like, I understand, like the ball was right there, ‘Oh, the ball was right there, so I reached.’ No. Don’t do that (laughing), but he’s been doing good. Really well.”

Then there’s Andre Drummond who has been through the education he has received from officials during the early days of his career. The 2-time All-Star has been able to fight through all of that and he has his own advice for Bona. 

“I talk to Bona a lot, and I think he’s just an excited guy,” said Drummond. “I mean, he’s super athletic, and I don’t think he understands how athletic he is where he doesn’t even need to jump sometimes. He just needs to play a little bit better. Still young, and he’s still figuring out the game. You gotta think, this is what year two for him? So, yeah, he’s still trying to figure it out.”

Drummond, a big mentor to Bona, had a different approach for him when it comes to the fouling. While Maxey is a bit more blunt with him, Drummond is a little easier on the young big.

“I mean, Tyrese is being hard on him,” Drummond laughed. “I’m a little more lenient on him. I’ve been there before. So there’s one message coming from Tyrese, and I’ll pull him aside after, ‘Hey, man, I know Tyrese said, but listen, think of it like this. Just relax. You don’t have to jump at everything. Just put your hand straight up, and if somebody shoots it, you’re more than athletic enough to go contest a shot right after they jump.”

A lot of this is all about growth and development for Bona. While he has shown the ability to be an excellent shot blocker and roller, he does need to limit his fouling so he can stay on the floor more and be effective in those minutes.

“So, you know, just a learning curve for him,” Drummond finished. “You know, guys are going to try to attack him and exploit that, knowing that he’s one of those guys that are a quick leaper. So you know, something needs to work on.”