Lots of early intrigue for Sixers at center behind Embiid originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers’ starting center on Monday night acted as a stretch five. Their 6-foot-8 backup center, who is known as the “Dancing Bear,” shot 6 for 6 from the floor in his first NBA game since May 8, 2019.
Plenty of intrigue for a preseason opener that Joel Embiid watched from the sidelines.
Andre Drummond took the starting jump ball for the Sixers and posted 11 points and seven rebounds in his 139–84 exhibition win over the New Zealand Breakers.
That kind of stat line is not abnormal for the 31-year-old big man. More significantly, he made a corner three-pointer (and missed a top-of-the-key attempt, too).
Semi-regular three-pointers would be new for Drummond. He hit zero long range shots over the past four seasons and his highest volume year was a 5-for-38 season with the Pistons in 2018-19.
Still, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse didn’t talk about Drummond’s jumpers as anything along the lines of preseason silliness or harmless experimentation.
“He can shoot them,” Nurse said after the game. “He can shoot them, so yeah, we’re definitely working on them. I think there are moments where you can find some space for him if you play against a rim protector…but I think he can shoot them. From what I’ve known for a long time, he’s a lot smarter than maybe he’s ever shown.
“He just rebounds and gives the ball away all the time, but he’s got some ball skills, he’s got some passing ability, he’s got some shooting ability that we’re going to continue to work on.”
Behind Drummond, Nurse turned to Guerschon Yabusele before going to newcomer Adem Bona in the second half.
While Yabusele is a natural power forward, he also spent time playing center during the previous week at training camp.
“I worked hard at five, so I wasn’t surprised,” he said. “Especially with Joel not (in), that’s what I expected and they told me that before. But I did both. Sometimes I was also in the yard with Drum. I think it’s an interesting job for me to figure out the two roles. I think I have to be ready to play at the five during the season.”
There are plenty of caveats to note — a preseason game, a non-NBA opponent, Tyrese Maxey the only active member of the team’s all-star trio — but Yabusele performed well in his first Sixers slot at center. He teamed up very effectively with Kyle Lowry, who assisted on Yabusele’s first three field goals. Lowry recognized when he had major size advantages through the Breakers’ pick-and-roll switch and transition cross-matches.
“He’s a great piece on our team,” Yabusele said of the six-time All-Star guard. “He’s been around for a long time. He’s a great passer and he understands things a lot more than the other guys. So when he speaks, we listen.
“After (my) first basket, he told me to always roll and he would find me. We created that connection today and I know that’s something we can look for throughout the season.”
The Sixers did not sign Yabusele until late the following August his impressive Olympics for Francebut Nurse appears to view the 28-year-old as a unique part of his team’s rotation.
Everyone can see that he has more skill and agility than the typical player weighing around 270 pounds.
“I thought he got into some really good spots tonight,” Nurse said. “When they changed, he took them right there. He’s quite used to it. That is kind of the style in which they used him with France and abroad. When they switch a smaller guy, he’s wide enough to get around as well, so he can go down there, post and score. Let us not let ourselves be carried away; there are probably some bigger bodies coming so let’s see how he does.
“But he made some good moves — faced up, got in front of the rim, shot. And then hitting the glass, bouncing. Can he take care of the defensive rebound? Can he pick and pop sometimes? … He did all of (that) tonight. A good first outing for him.”
Whatever position he plays, Yabusele appreciates being back in the NBA eight years after he was drafted and five years after his last appearance with the Celtics.
“I’m not going to lie, it felt amazing,” he said. “It felt amazing. And to get the win and for everyone on the team to be able to perform, it was a great night. It’s been a long road, but I’m glad to be here.”
