The Philadelphia 76ers are seeing their young talent finally break through, with guards Jared McCain and Adem Bona making significant strides in their second NBA seasons. Despite facing setbacks early on, including a thumb injury that derailed McCain's return to the court and an ankle sprain that kept Bona out for two weeks, both players are now on the rise.
McCain has been playing with Tyrese Maxey, another guard on the smaller end of the spectrum, but initially raised concerns about their defensive fit. However, the results have been encouraging, particularly on offense, where Maxey-plus-McCain lineups have thrived. McCain himself credits Maxey for being a major part of his turnaround, saying that his mentor and friend has provided reassurance and helped him stay focused.
Maxey and McCain have developed a rapport both on and off the court, with Maxey often poking fun at McCain's efforts in post-game availability sessions. Despite this, their partnership has yielded promising results, with the pair consistently producing quality performances. As for McCain's growth, he emphasizes the need to be aggressive and 'just hoop' rather than overthink his game.
McCain's recent resurgence was on full display in a thrilling win against the Brooklyn Nets, where he notched season-highs across the board, including 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals. This breakout performance has been nothing short of impressive, with McCain himself noting that playing with Maxey brings out his best game.
However, it's another player, Adem Bona, who is generating excitement in equal measure. A long-overdue milestone was achieved by the young center on Friday, as he knocked down a three-pointer for the first time in his NBA career. This moment marked a significant development in Bona's journey to become a stretch-five, a plan that has been years in the making.
Bona attributes this breakthrough shot to months of tireless work with Sixers assistant coach Fab Flournoy, who has taken him under his wing since his draft year. Flournoy's guidance and patience have paid off as Bona has been steadily improving his skills, including a newfound ability to shoot corner threes from out of bounds.
Bona's pride and happiness are palpable after achieving this milestone, with him jokingly referring to McCain as his 'big brother' in response to being called out for pride. This camaraderie between teammates is healthy and refreshing, particularly given the progress both players have made on their respective paths to stardom.
In conclusion, while setbacks early on were a challenge for both McCain and Bona, they are now firmly establishing themselves as key contributors for the 76ers. With continued development and dedication, there's no doubt that these talented young players will make significant strides in their careers, bringing hope and excitement to the franchise's loyal fanbase.
McCain has been playing with Tyrese Maxey, another guard on the smaller end of the spectrum, but initially raised concerns about their defensive fit. However, the results have been encouraging, particularly on offense, where Maxey-plus-McCain lineups have thrived. McCain himself credits Maxey for being a major part of his turnaround, saying that his mentor and friend has provided reassurance and helped him stay focused.
Maxey and McCain have developed a rapport both on and off the court, with Maxey often poking fun at McCain's efforts in post-game availability sessions. Despite this, their partnership has yielded promising results, with the pair consistently producing quality performances. As for McCain's growth, he emphasizes the need to be aggressive and 'just hoop' rather than overthink his game.
McCain's recent resurgence was on full display in a thrilling win against the Brooklyn Nets, where he notched season-highs across the board, including 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals. This breakout performance has been nothing short of impressive, with McCain himself noting that playing with Maxey brings out his best game.
However, it's another player, Adem Bona, who is generating excitement in equal measure. A long-overdue milestone was achieved by the young center on Friday, as he knocked down a three-pointer for the first time in his NBA career. This moment marked a significant development in Bona's journey to become a stretch-five, a plan that has been years in the making.
Bona attributes this breakthrough shot to months of tireless work with Sixers assistant coach Fab Flournoy, who has taken him under his wing since his draft year. Flournoy's guidance and patience have paid off as Bona has been steadily improving his skills, including a newfound ability to shoot corner threes from out of bounds.
Bona's pride and happiness are palpable after achieving this milestone, with him jokingly referring to McCain as his 'big brother' in response to being called out for pride. This camaraderie between teammates is healthy and refreshing, particularly given the progress both players have made on their respective paths to stardom.
In conclusion, while setbacks early on were a challenge for both McCain and Bona, they are now firmly establishing themselves as key contributors for the 76ers. With continued development and dedication, there's no doubt that these talented young players will make significant strides in their careers, bringing hope and excitement to the franchise's loyal fanbase.