Mo Bamba discusses staying ready for any opportunity with Sixers
PHILADELPHIA–It has been a bit of a tough start for Mo Bamba in his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Signed to a 1-year deal in the offseason, the 6-year veteran out of Texas is averaging only 6.2 minutes per game which is the lowest of his career.
Bamba is currently behind, of course, Joel Embiid as well as Paul Reed who has played very well to begin the season behind the reigning league MVP. Therefore, the opportunity to play for Bamba hasn’t exactly been there for him.
However, he stayed ready and he was called upon to start the fourth quarter in Friday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks. He grabbed three rebounds in five minutes and he deterred Atlanta’s guards when they got into the paint.
That’s something the veteran has learned about being in the NBA. He has always has to stay ready for anything.
“We’re not a young team so we understand like 12 people can’t play,” Bamba said. “The rotation is gonna be nine, 10, at most 10. It’s a matter of understanding that and doing what you can on the off days to stay ready.”
It helps Bamba that he is competing in scrimmages at the end of practices. He and the other reserves get after it at the facility and compete in order to show the coaching staff they deserve an opportunity when it comes their way.
“It’s super competitive,” Bamba said of the scrimmages. “We get out there and at the end of the day, we’re trying to win the game. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll win minutes, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
