PHILADELPHIA — The NBA is ever-changing. Every team around the league continues to look for that competitive edge on a nightly basis as they look to find themselves in the race for the Larry O’Brien trophy every season.
There was the era of big men and defense. Then there was the small ball trend when everybody turned to their guards and launched a bunch of 3s. Now, it looks like double big is coming into style.
The Philadelphia 76ers started Adem Bona at the 5 on Friday and had Joel Embiid play the 4. The idea is that the Sixers get rim protection and rebounding along with the big fella being able to be on the perimeter and make plays with his passing or his shooting ability. It’s a little new for Embiid, but playing with Bona in the starting lineup is something that intrigues him.
“Obviously, having another big body that’s gonna help rebounding, play hard, loose balls, set good screens, and then I got the rim—I’ve always had the rim, so try and be a presence down there, and then just him just doing the dirty work, and I think he’s fine with that,” Embiid said. “He knows what his role is. He knows what we need from him.”
Embiid has never played next to a guy like Bona in his career. While one has to assume Paul George will take over the starting power forward spot when he comes back from his own injury, having Bona in there is something Embiid can utilize in some lineups.
“I think over my career, that’s something that I’ve always felt like was kinda needed,” Embiid added. “Everybody has always kind of focused on shooting, stretch 4, this and that, and I think just having a bunch of guys around that are just gonna go after every loose ball, play defense, rebound the ball, and fly up and down the court, that goes a long way. Especially, for me as I’m coming back and trying to stay on the right path.”
From the perspective of Tyrese Maxey, it makes life a little easier even for him. Bona is able to play in the dunker spot and finish lob passes or even finish little tear drops in the paint. Having both the leaping Bona and the methodical Embiid makes the offense a bit more dynamic.
“It’s fun,” Maxey laughed. “It’s fun seeing Joel—I call him, like, a stretch 4. Like, ‘Do you stretch 4! You shoot 3s!’ but I think it’s good. I think Bona does a really good job of protecting the rim, a really good job of helping us rebound, and he’s good in the dunker area. He’s good in that. He can offensive rebound. He can catch lobs and finish. I think it’s gonna be good.”
When considering the recovery of George, one should assume Bona will be in the starting lineup on Wednesday in the season opener. It will certainly be interesting to see how Bona and Embiid manage it in a regular season game setting.