“Yabu played very well. He really makes things happen, and I just wanted to leave him on the field.” This is what Nick Nurse said on Guerschon Yabuseleafter the victory snatched from Utah.
That evening, the Frenchman had compiled 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists, and his coach had used him as a pivot in a “small ball” five but also as a power forward alongside Joel Embiid. We cannot yet write that the Frenchman is a Sixers executive, but this first third of the season is clearly positive for him.
“Obviously this is something I wanted, but did I know I would find myself in this situation? Clearly, I didn't expect it, and I'm very happy that it's going this way » he explained. “It's a crazy year for me… I've always talked about this determination that we had at Real Madrid, then at the Olympic Games, with the silver medal, in the toughest competition with the possibility of being on the pitch with the best player in the world… It was all extraordinary for me. Then I was able to come back to the league and get that contract. I experienced a lot of emotions, you know…”
Play time to learn
To give himself another NBA chance, Guerschon Yabusele made a big financial sacrifice, and he took the risk of joining a big league without having any guarantee of his playing time. But at 29, he is in his prime of age, and all his qualities are highlighted in Philadelphia, whether it is penalizing 3-pointers or providing punch after a rebound.
“I always have fun, and I give my all on the pitch. I also bring a lot of joy. I really want to enjoy this time” he continues. “It's the first time I've really been part of a team in the NBA, that I've really played, that I've had playing time and that I can make mistakes, learn and improve in the next game. And I have an important role, so of course I’m still learning.”
The good news is that the Sixers are almost complete, and that they have turned their heads around after a catastrophic start to the season. Joel Embiid's partners remain on 7 victories in 10 matches, and they are no longer very far from 8th place in the Eastern Conference, held by the Pacers.
A stronger defense
“The season is long”recalls Guerschon Yabusele. “I think the NBA has the longest season of any basketball league in the world. We had a rough start because we had guys that were injured, coming in and out, things like that. But we always try to find the right balance in the team because there are also new players. But it is clear that we have more rhythm now in the matches. We have connections, we find players easier and things like that, so we've really improved. »
And it is through defense that Philadelphia has regained confidence and efficiency. “I would say that our defense is more efficient and more solid” he concludes. “We defend a little better on one-on-ones. There is the way of speaking in defense, when one of us is overwhelmed… The others come to help, and we rotate. We have really improved in this area. »
| Guerschon Yabusele | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 33 | 7 | 42.6 | 32.4 | 68.2 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 2.4 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 41 | 6 | 45.5 | 32.1 | 68.2 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 2.3 |
| 2024-25 | PHL | 29 | 24 | 49.5 | 38.9 | 65.4 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 5.2 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 9.6 |
| Total | 103 | 11 | 47.4 | 36.4 | 66.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 4.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
