A defeat! Still. The fifth after six days of the championship for Philadelphia which sinks a little further to the bottom of the NBA rankings. But if his team, still without the pivot with three passports and the Olympic champion Joel Embiid, is struggling to find ground, Guerschon Yabusele, for his part, seems to be flourishing more and more in the prestigious North American basketball championship. Game after game, the progression is constant and evident.
During Philly’s last outing – a 116-118 defeat against Phoenix on the night between Monday and Tuesday – the Frenchman put together 19 points (5 of 11 from long range), 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 30 minutes of presence on the pitch parquet. His best playing time of the season. He put together 8 points in a row in a hot 4th quarter.
Yabusele ranked 3rd best scorer on his team behind Tyrese Maxey’s 32 points and ahead of Paul George’s 15 points (with 5 rebounds and 4 assists), who returned to the court after a long absence. His scoring average this season is 9.2 points per game… and his stats continue to improve. Like his influence on the game.
During this game, he also broke his NBA record for rebounds, passes and points by 16, which was set on April 11, 2018 during his first trip across the Atlantic, then wearing the jersey of Boston. In these years of discoveries – and frustrations – he had to settle for the crumbs of the coaching staff who preferred to send him to play with the Maine Celtics in the G-League, the antechamber of the NBA.
A new American dream
Drafted high, 16th overall in 2016 by Boston, Yabusele was never able to truly express himself. His stats from back then bear that out: 2.5 points per game in 32 appearances during his first season at Boston (2017-2018), then 2.3 points in 43 games the following year. But since then the situation has never been the same. A new youth is offered, a new American dream.
His long and rich experience at Real Madrid (winner of the Euroleague in 2023) and, above all, his performance at the Paris Games where his dunk over LeBron James in the final marked the competition, the retinas and the minds, have allowed to the Bear ”dance” to change status, category, in the eyes of the NBA leaders.
“I think that gesture got me signed to the NBA, I’m sure of it. People saw that I worked for five years, they could see the work, the rise to power”, recognizes the interested party who did not hesitate when the possibility of trying his luck in the NBA again presented itself.
Yet a crazy and financially risky bet. Because to play this season in the NBA, the 28-year-old player will have to spend almost 900,000 dollars. “It’s up to Guerschon to prove he can get a bigger contract next season. It’s a sporting choice and not a financial one”, specifies his agent Olivier Mazet. After six games the challenge already seems won.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and NBA Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We’ve been following the ups and downs of the Philadelphia 76ers this season, particularly with the recent defeats. What’s your take on the team’s performance, especially in light of their struggles without Joel Embiid?
NBA Expert: Thank you for having me. It’s no secret that the absence of a star player like Joel Embiid seriously impacts any team. Philadelphia is currently grappling with finding their footing without their key pivot. This has led to significant challenges, which is evident in their performance and their recent five-game losing streak.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, and amidst this turmoil, Guerschon Yabusele seems to be making quite the impact. Can you tell us about his recent game against the Phoenix Suns where he scored 19 points?
NBA Expert: Absolutely! Yabusele’s performance against the Suns was a standout moment. He not only scored 19 points, but he also contributed 7 rebounds and 6 assists in just 30 minutes. That kind of efficiency is impressive, especially in crunch time; he had a strong fourth quarter where he scored 8 consecutive points, showing that he can step up when the game gets tough.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like he’s emerging as a significant player for the team. How does his scoring average so far this season reflect his contributions?
NBA Expert: Right now, Yabusele holds an average of 9.2 points per game, which, while modest, doesn’t fully encapsulate his influence on the court. His role is evolving, and with more minutes and opportunities, I expect his average and impact to keep rising. He ranked third on the team in scoring during that game against Phoenix, trailing only Tyrese Maxey, which speaks volumes about his growing importance on the roster.
Time.news Editor: Interesting. You mentioned that he’s broken personal records this season—what can you tell us about that?
NBA Expert: Yes, he broke his NBA career highs for rebounds, assists, and points during that game as well, which is significant on a personal level and a positive indicator for his development. It’s apparent that he’s harnessed his experiences from previous seasons, where he faced challenges getting consistent playing time.
Time.news Editor: Yabusele had his share of frustration while playing in the G-League and fighting for minutes—how do you see his journey shaping his current performance?
NBA Expert: Those early experiences certainly shaped his resilience and determination. Spending time with the Maine Celtics in the G-League allowed him to develop his skills while also teaching him to adapt to various playing styles. Now, he seems more confident and better equipped to contribute on a larger stage, which is reflected in his gameplay.
Time.news Editor: With the 76ers still struggling, do you think Yabusele can be a catalyst to uplift the team?
NBA Expert: He could definitely be a key player in helping the team ascend from the bottom of the rankings. If he continues to build on his recent performances and stays consistent, he can inspire more trust and synergy among his teammates. With a few adjustments and perhaps a stronger attacking strategy, Yabusele might not only grow individually but could also lift the performance of the 76ers as a whole.
Time.news Editor: It’s an exciting time for Yabusele, and hopefully for the 76ers as well as the season progresses. Thank you for your insights today!
NBA Expert: Thank you for having me! Always a pleasure to discuss basketball.