NBA: Philadelphia rookie Jonah Bolden welcomes the pressure on Sixers

PHILADELPHIA 76ers power forward Jonah Bolden says anything short of the Eastern Conference Finals will be considered a ‘failure’ for the team.

• Jonah Bolden inks four-year deal to link with Ben Simmons

PHILADELPHIA 76ers power forward Jonah Bolden says anything short of the Eastern Conference Finals will be considered a “failure”.

The Melbourne-born NBA draftee will join compatriot Ben Simmons at the Sixers next month as preparations ramp up towards the upcoming NBA season.

“There will be a pressure on the team, but I personally put the most pressure on myself,” Bolden said.

“How well they did last year will set the standard for this year and I think anything less than Eastern Conference Finals will be, as it should be, a failure in the eyes of the team and the coaching staff.”

Philadelphia draftee Jonah Bolden training with Melbourne United. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

NBA Rookie of the Year Simmons and Joel Embiid powered the Sixers in the playoffs with 16 consecutive wins, a franchise record, to end the regular season.

Bolden, who was taken 36th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, has spent the past two seasons plying his trade in Europe, firstly in Serbia and then with Israel giants Maccabi Tel Aviv last season after being drafted by the Sixers.

“It didn’t bother me what route I had to take, I just knew one day I would get there (NBA),” Bolden said.

“Whether that was having to go overseas for two years or go to college … it didn’t bother me, I just wanted to get there.”

While in Melbourne to attend his mother’s wedding, Bolden has popped into lively practices with NBL champions United.

The 76ers recruit gives the NBL champions the run-around. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

United will take on the Simmons-Bolden Sixers next month in Philadelphia, the first of seven NBA preseason games involving five NBL clubs.

The son of NBL legend Bruce Bolden hailed the quality of Australian basketball.

“The quality goes up a notch every year with NBL and I think playing against NBA teams last year was another notch,” Bolden said.

South East Melbourne Magic and Sydney Kings icon Bruce also praised the domestic competition.

“The league is strong and is going to continue to get stronger,” Bolden said.

“You see (Andrew) Bogut here now, that makes a big statement to the league, adds a lot of credibility.

“The standard is going to continue to increase … basketball in Australia is at a ripe age where it’s going to continue to get better.”

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