Jabari Walker ready to help Sixers try to rebound against Cleveland

The minutes have varied for forward Jabari Walker in his first season with the Sixers, from starter's minutes in the six times he has done that this season, to limited minutes in a deep reserve role. Though his role and time spent on the court may change from game to game, the attitude of the fourth-year pro doesn't.

He may be counted upon Friday by coach Nick Nurse to bring some energy off the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who pasted the lackluster Sixers, 133-107 on Wednesday. The Sixers were out-rebounded by 60-46 Wednesday and were pretty much outplayed and out-hustled all over the floor. Maybe the quick turnaround against the same opponent will help. The Sixers did just beat the Toronto Raptors on Monday, a day after losing to them in Toronto.

"There's a lot of corrections," Walker said of the preparations for the rematch. "Showed us a lot of film, we had great conversations. I think the attitude going forward is optimistic."

The Sixers (22-17) certainly will need more than attitude in trying to handle the Cavs (23-19), who were led by Donovan Mitchell's 35 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. 

"How fast you can make adjustments. I think that all great teams are able to do that," Walker said at the team's shootaround at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. "This will definitely test us. We passed the test last time in Toronto, we'll see if we can do it again. Rebounding is the obvious thing. They've got two big guys. The guards have to help out a little bit and the bigs have to be better at just keeping those guys off the glass. Defensively, we've got to be more aggressive and make them uncomfortable."

The bigs that Walker was speaking about are 6-foot-11 forward Evan Mobley and 6-foot-9 center Jarrett Allen. Those two combined for 18 rebounds, while Mobley blocked four shots. Walker knows how he may be able to help negate the inside advantage Cleveland had on Wednesday.

"Be more aggressive, no matter what the game looks like before I get in," he said. "I can dictate what the game will be like with my energy, whether it's picking it up higher (defensively) or hitting them a little harder on the rebounds. I can put my energy and put my stamp on the game that way, just through energy."

Nurse decided to go with Adem Bona as the primary backup to Joel Embiid on Wednesday, but with the rebounding disparity being what it was, Andre Drummond may be put into that role Friday, provided everyone is healthy and able to play. For Walker, no matter who is manning the middle when he is in the game, it doesn't really matter. It's just a case of tweaking how he plays the game with that particular center.

"It's a great weapon to have. Every big is different," said Walker. "The ability we have to put one guy in, depending on the matchup, I bet every team wishes they could do that. We have so much talent, it's never a bad thing. They've (Bona and Drummond) done such a great job staying engaged, knowing that they're both important to what our team needs. That's all we can ask for.

"Playing with Jo is different, he attracts so much attention, honestly, you just fill in the gaps. He tells you with his eyes and communication where he wants you to be. Then Drum, he takes up a little more space in the dunker's (position), and pick-and-roll, I know he's rolling every time. So, I just kind of play a little more perimeter with him. And then Bona, defensively I know I can switch with him. I know I can rely on him to go get something off the glass, block a shot for me so I can be a little bit more aggressive defensively."

The knowledge of how to play with teammates is something Walker is still learning as the first half of the season quickly approaches. But there are other parts of the game that just come naturally to the 6-foot-7 forward.

"I think it starts with energy," he said. "If your energy is not right and your mindset is not where it needs to be, then you have no chance of being impactful. If your mindset is okay and you're thinking how can I help this team today, then I think, naturally, things start flowing and you start getting deflections and getting rebounds and start getting putbacks and making shots. It looks like you're more ready than maybe you even were.

"You don't have to step outside yourself. Sometimes it's not even on you, why you're not playing, it's just a matchup thing. Just staying confident in yourself and having the right attitude, it goes a long way. Sometimes it's past basketball, it's just about attitude and how you want to help others around you. Good things come back to those who dish out good things."