We won’t go so far as to compare it to his dunk against LeBron James in the Olympic final. But that night in Phoenix, Guerschon Yabusele signed another serious hammer blow in the fourth quarter.
Jusuf Nurkic tried to catch up on the action, while Kevin Durant preferred to move aside, and the Frenchman, served by Paul George, crushed the circle to allow the Sixers to keep their distance.
A few minutes earlier, the 28-year-old had fueled a 9-0 run by the visitors. Left open after a penetration in transition from Kelly Oubre Jr, then in the corner after a fixation from Paul George, he converted twice in a row behind the arc.
Where he did most of his damage. “ He clearly had a great 3-point evening. He put five I think, I wish he put six (laughs)! His last two came out », Regrets his coach Nick Nurse, speaking of two very open misses in the last three minutes.
From power forward to pivot
Which takes nothing away from the silver medalist’s great evening in Paris this summer, mobilized for 30 minutes, including the entire fourth quarter: a new career record with 19 points (6/14 on shots including 5/11 from a distance), 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
« He did a little bit of everything, he worked really hard on defense, he tried to provide help. He can spread the play, he doesn’t overdo it, he stays true to himself and plays hard. He looked better, with a few fewer mistakes in that position. I partnered him with Paul (George) probably a little longer than they had in the tank », Continues Nick Nurse, who therefore used him as a pivot behind Andre Drummond.
A few days ago, Guerschon Yabusele said he was ready to return to his natural position of power forward with the return of Joel Embiid. “ It’s something I’m looking forward to. We have two of the best players in the world on our team returning. […] It will be another role for me, but I am excited about this role », noted the Frenchman, pointing out the differences from one position to another.
Respect for Kevin Durant
« You’re definitely more involved on the pick-and-roll, you have to cut a lot, roll, defend and stop the playmaker on the pick-and-roll and all those things that I’m still learning. I just try not to disappoint anyone and do my best », he blurted out about the specificity of the pivot position.
A mission largely accomplished last night under the eyes of a superstar with whom he had crossed swords in the Olympic final this summer, Kevin Durant. His 20 points posted in the final had strengthened his file to complete his return to the NBA. A return that allows him to collect laudatory comments.
« I’m glad he’s back in the league. I always like to see the guys in their rightful place. He almost won them the game with his 3-point shots and his cuts to the rim. He did everything for them tonight. He’s someone I played against and for whom I have a lot of respect compared to this summer. So I’m glad he’s back in the league », greets the Suns star about him.
| Guerschon Yabusele | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | 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 | 6 | 21 | 45.2 | 39.3 | 75.0 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 3.7 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 9.2 |
| Total | 79 | 7 | 44.6 | 32.9 | 68.0 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 2.6 | |
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.
