To point out the obvious, the Sixers clearly have work to do after going 24-58 in one of the most painful, dreadful seasons ever. But things are looking up.
Smiles and laughs are back behind the scenes as Sixers’ Andre Drummond posted a chaotic and entertaining TikTok Thursday about some friendly team banter.
Drummond decided to document one final round of rookie hazing as the 2025-26 season nears. The target was center Adem Bona, who filled in for Joel Embiid and Drummond in last year’s injury-riddled season. He was a highlight in the paint with his statement dunks and extensive blocks.
Drummond made sure to note in his caption that Bona is still considered a rookie until his sophomore season begins on October 22. Therefore, it was time to fill his SUV entirely with popcorn and remove a wheel from the car to leave at his locker.
Now, you’re probably thinking exactly what some of the comments are saying.
“Spend less time joking around and more time in practice.”
“This is why we only had 24 wins.”
And you know what? Fair.
But camaraderie is more important than ever amidst adversity. And last year just didn’t feel like there was any of it after a certain point. When’s the last time you saw Joel Embiid belly laugh? Just take a step back. Aren’t fun and games exactly what you need sometimes?
With all the negativity surrounding a disappointing season, there comes a point where you have to turn the page. Drummond shouldn’t be ashamed or hesitant to post fun moments like these. Especially not at the risk of getting resentful comments echoing the failures of seasons past.
With Embiid and George out with knee injuries most of last season, Tyrese Maxey was sprung into a leadership role (perhaps a little earlier in his career than expected). He mentioned on Sixers Media Day in September why bonding is so important to him and what he’s done this offseason to bring the squad together.
“Just building the camaraderie and the brotherhood off the court, I think that’s one of the biggest things that I’ve tried to do this summer,” he said. “Justin [Edwards] was in Dallas a little bit, came to my house. VJ [Edgecombe], a couple guys would come to my house out here too. That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to build. If you have that friendship and relationship off the court … I think that’s gonna help us a lot.”
No one is saying we should forget about last year. But if there’s a chance — a minuscule chance — that they learned from the things they could control, shouldn’t we humor them?
We’ll have our first taste of it tonight during the Sixers’ preseason finale when Joel Embiid takes the court for the first time in 237 days.
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