76ers May Have Found an Unexpected Solution Behind Joel Embiid

It may have only been two games, but it seems like the Philadelphia 76ers may have an answer at center. 

Jabari Walker filled in for Adem Bona as the backup center, and he had a pretty good performance against the Chicago Bulls. Walker had nine points to go along with his 11 rebounds, a season high.  The 76ers needed his high energy, as this game was a bit closer than many would have liked.

Walker seems to be a breath of fresh air for this team. The thing that makes him different from Bona is his offense. Bona could be a better rim protector, but it may be all he has on Walker. Walker played just 19 minutes and finished with a plus/minus of +6. He even had a defensive rating of 115.9. But that's not where he earned his keep with this Philadelphia team.

It may not seem like much, but it matters to some degree that he was able to be as productive as he was. The thing about the 76er is that they need someone who can attack the glass, and Walker can do just that.  Of his 11 rebounds, 5 of them came on the offensive side of the ball. That's the thing that’s been missing for this team. They have struggled in the rebounding department, and that’s part of what kept their opponents in the game. When the 76ers can control the paint, it creates a better chance of a victory.

Bona has had such a rough start to the season. He had his best game as a 76er against the Detroit Pistons, where he filled the stat sheet. The sad thing is, it seems like it comes with empty production. Whenever Bona was out of place, their opponent capitalized on it. It’s been so many times where Bona would commit an unnecessary foul; it left you frustrated. 

The thing with Walker is that he may commit a foul or two, but he also has the speed and quickness to recover and contest the shot. If you add in the fact that he can shoot the three ball, it just makes him a better fit for this 76ers team. 

High energy is great, but it matters what you can do with all that adrenaline. For Walker, he can channel it in a way that benefits the pace at which this 76ers team plays. He also spaces out the floor, which creates opportunities for others.

Walker deserves more minutes, and his game against the Bulls has proven just that.