SOUL wrote:pepe1991 wrote:It will be hilarious watch Bamba struggle once again and no excuse in sight this time around.
I remember posters blaming Vogle for Hezonja failures. And Gordon "stunned development" due "too many coaching changes".
I don't like to watch anybody struggle (especially on my team) just to be right or wrong... more than I can say about a lot of you guys though...
I mean there are valid criticisms of players being in bad situations or being given too much too quickly. Some NFL quarterbacks might've been solid starters if they had sat a year behind a vet and then learned, instead get thrown into the fire and fail too quickly and nobody believes in them.
Other players in all sports don't show anything until they're in a different situation or role and the original team regrets moving them or not giving them the opportunity.
It takes both the coach and player being on the same page. If Hezonja had a specified role where he wasn't yanked all of the time after one mistake, he may still be in the league as a role player. If Hezonja's ego wasn't so big, maybe he would of been okay to settle into a role even as a high lottery pick. It doesn't always mean the person will be only a star or a bust if the coach/opportunity/team was diff.. there's tons of in between sort of areas that can make for a long NBA career.
I don't look at Bamba in the scope of "can he be a star" anymore because there's nothing being shown to prove that. But as far as solid NBA backup? I think that isn't a stretch at all, with all the ability to be a solid low end starter that isn't the focal point of the team, but someone you can count on for blocks and rebounds and paint defense.
Yes, there's still tons to work on, especially defensively. He's not a dumb kid.. just doesn't have the natural defensive instinct like Isaac.
I don't care about being right or wrong, it's about what player failed to improve for 3 years straight, after team burned 6th pick on him. One of worst returning value for a pick in Orlando's history.
In order to get him any PT Orlando had to remove allstar center, remove undrafted 28 yeras old center and still Mo Bamba wasn't even best center on a team, and Orlando was arguably the worst, least talented team in nba.
I don't give a damn about "developing" backup Cs in this era. Nobody even uses backup Cs any more.
It's was impossible to give Bamba role where he could thrive. He was drafted as defensive anchor. BUT he can't defend. Period.
He also happends to be terrible offensive players as well. For career 121 turnover, 116 assists. On 19% usage rate and 54,6% TS.
His offensive rating through years has been : 102,4 103,9, 94,3. His defensive rating 115,2 103,4, 109,2.
At some point you get clear picture. He is Wish version of Channing Frye on offense, Javale McGee on defense. On offense he shoots 3s but can't even shoot at league's average. On Defense he blocks shots because he , like Javale goes for every ball out there, most of the time leaving his assigments and making s*** thon of mistakes.
On both ends,he is unplayable on any upper level teams. Matter of fact, Wendell isn't even "good" player, but when you look them, Wendell Carter looks like future HOF next to Bamba because he is not boneheaded when it comes to mental mistakes.
In 5 games as starter this year he averaged 11,4 ppg on 11,2 rpg. Sounds great?
He shot 35,8% FG and 21,7% for 3.
His plus minus in those 5 games was -29,9.
How about longer games, no leash and free reing to do whatever as Vuc and Birch where gone?
post allstar game:
20 mpg
9 ppg, 7 rpg....45,7% FG, 31% for 3.
And that's what it is. All his terrible stats are also from bench, to make matters worst. It's impossible to even imagine Bamba holding his own against some top tear starting PGs isolated in pick& roll or him being asked to switch of likes of Lillard, Booker, Lebron, Durant.
I just don't get why people are so hooked onto notion he is "good" or " can be good" when for 3 years straight he plays basketball like Andrew Nicholson. Black hole on offense who also hurts defense.
You think Clifford told him " go out there, show no effort, go for blocks, foul like maniac and jack 3s like there is no tomarrow" ?
No, listen interview of Bamba before draft. He viewed himself as streach 5. He views himself as shotblocker. But he never studied game enough to learn that most of basketball happends between sky high blocks and stepback 3s. Basketball game isn't highlights. It's being in right place at right time , reading game, making plays casual fans won't even notice. Highlights for superstars come as direct result of their greatness. But 99% of their plays are them reading plays before they happen. Most young players simply get it all backwards. Hell, Hezonja is best example of it. Turns the ball over 5 times, dunks, is all proud of himself- gets benched and gets angry.
Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans. -John Lennon
