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Slimmed-down Tony Bradley appreciates the support of Sixers teammates

“I thought the entire bench, everyone, was so happy for him while he was playing,” Doc Rivers said.

Sixers center Tony Bradley, left, and Chicago Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr., vie for the ball during the first half of Thursday's game.
Sixers center Tony Bradley, left, and Chicago Bulls forward Otto Porter Jr., vie for the ball during the first half of Thursday's game.Read moreNam Y. Huh / AP

WASHINGTON — Tony Bradley is the prime example of hard work paying off, regardless of the situation.

The center has only appeared in 13 of the 76ers’ first 37 games this season. There’s no telling how many more games the fourth-year veteran will play in.

Yet his weight loss and on-the-court improvement have been noticeable since the Sixers acquired him in a November trade from the Detroit Pistons for Zhaire Smith.

Shedding 25 pounds, Bradley now stands 6-foot-10 and 245 pounds. The weight loss has improved his quickness, which he used to his advantage in Thursday night’s 127-105 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

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Bradley finished with season highs of 14 points and three blocks while starting in place of Joel Embiid, who was in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Bradley made all seven of his shot attempts. That’s not bad for a player who averaged 4.7 points heading into Friday night’s game against the Washington Wizards at the Capital One Arena.

“I thought the entire bench, everyone, was so happy for him while he was playing,” Doc Rivers said. “Those first two baskets, Dwight [Howard] was running around the floor celebrating, because they see the work. A lot of the fans are never able to see the work the guys that don’t play do.

“So that was good tonight for all of us.”

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Bradley has better lateral movement and is faster during sprints since the weight loss. There’s also less stress and less pressure on his knees.

“Overall, I feel great,” he said.

The support he received from teammates on Thursday also provided a positive feeling. Embiid even tweeted, “That’s it!!! I’ve seen enough. Build around Tony Bradley,” while watching the game.

“For him to have the support, for him to say that, it’s definitely fun ... I appreciate it,” Bradley said.