Bol Bol Discussion Thread: Long-Term Starter or Reserve?

[tooler]

I want to go on record (after at least one high gravity beer tonight) that I'd like to see the Jumbol lineup experiment through to its end so long as the defense is there. And that doesn't just depend on Bol Bol. Paolo and our token shorty also play a part. (Not that Franz and WCJ are defensive savants but if you've watched the games then you know what I mean.) I think we all agree Paolo has been more engaged here lately and Fultz and Cole are trying hard. So if that keeps up, let 'er rip.

[eyriq]

I am looking for him to be included in the offense more going forward. More catch n shoot and pick n roll actions. His level of efficiency unassisted is a foundation to build on.

[pepe1991]

What a difference in perspective one month can make... Guy fell off cliff

[Bergmaniac]

Bol hasn't made a 3 since in December.

[GameOver25]

His awareness especially on the defensive end finally caught up to the spectacle. Talk about 15 minutes of fame.

[Max Power]

My thoughts on Bol are this. He’s got some unique skills for his size, he’s a lot better offensively than I expected, and defensively there’s some potential. But this guy needs some work if he wants to be a foundational piece. His defensive awareness out of the paint in awful, since he plays outside it on offense he should probably figure out how to defend the perimeter a bit better. He absolutely cannot catch a pass, I’m not sure who’s committed the most turnovers on the Magic but watching lately, it sure seems like it’s him. Every time he does that 9 foot cross over I cringe because by the time he hits the paint the other team knocks the ball away.

My biggest issue is he’s the biggest ball hog on the Magic, it’s like Cole Anthony got it out of his system ( I’m totally keen on keeping him now, off the subject a bit. Coles been a ton better) and Bol decided he’d be the guy to stop the Magic’s offense cold when he gets the ball. He down right refuses to pass. It’s all about Bol when the balls in his hands and I loathe that about him.

[JoshuaPotter]

He can still recover I think. The challenge is we are for better or worse a bottom 5 team right now. The fact that he can't crack a solid part of the rotational minutes speaks volumes to his problems regardless or not of Franz + Paolo making us forward rich.

He in some ways reminds me of Darko. So raw and full of talent just unable to get it together. Darko i'd argue was a bit more solid on both ends of the floor.

[pepe1991]

Bol hasn't made a 3 since in December.

He also has streach of 11 of last 17 games where he didn't record assist

He is only player that i have no clue how to incomporate into funcional offense.

[jezzerinho]

Bol hasn't made a 3 since in December.

He also has streach of 11 of last 17 games where he didn't record assist

He is only player that i have no clue how to incomporate into funcional offense.

Some teams have a unicorn. We have an enigma.

[JoshuaPotter]

Bol hasn't made a 3 since in December.

He also has streach of 11 of last 17 games where he didn't record assist

He is only player that i have no clue how to incomporate into funcional offense.

Some teams have a unicorn. We have an enigma.

First result for magic 8-ball regarding bol bol.....thanks google

[jezzerinho]

Bol himself is a Magic 8 ball. You might get a behind the back, to a crossover, to a eurostep and a finger roll. You might get him falling over and the ball in row W. Shame we can't shake him to find out in advance which it'll be.

[Skybox]

Wow...the Bol narrative has certainly changed. What do any of you honestly think is his return trade value?

(you know, because of our crowded frontcourt...)

[JoshuaPotter]

Wow...the Bol narrative has certainly changed. What do any of you honestly think is his return trade value?

(you know, because of our crowded frontcourt...)

He remains an amazing prospect (project). I think he can peak as a lamar odom type impact player. That being said, as of right now, I do not know. I am always rooting for him as he seems like a good player.

[eyriq]

Wow...the Bol narrative has certainly changed. What do any of you honestly think is his return trade value?

(you know, because of our crowded frontcourt...)

He remains an amazing prospect (project). I think he can peak as a lamar odom type impact player. That being said, as of right now, I do not know. I am always rooting for him as he seems like a good player.

Exactly this. His body of work is very promising, he just has to show he can play within a team and role. I love our collection of bigs though the mix might not be perfect and there does appear to be overlap. I don't think he's a critical piece and wonder if I'd want him in our eight man rotation when we are a playoff team... His ability to block shots, rebound, ISO, and score in transition is a really good foundation. I don't think he plays himself back into our starting rotation but I don't rule out that he's a starter at the 4 for someone in the league. Interesting asset.

[jezzerinho]

I think what we have is exactly what you would expect to have. A kid who has done all his recent improvement over the last 3 years in a training facility and who - by dint of his pretty unique body composition - has always had a use and a role on a basketball court.

He's never had to really learn basketball, play it competitively and fulfill different roles and perform different obligations.

That's not to undersell his time at Oregon, but he's still a toddler, BBIQ-wise.

He needs strict coaching and games. Do we have the coach to really hold him to task and the minutes to give him? I think the answer is a qualified yes. Mose will give him more gametime when he proves he's learning how to fit in a team and not just play like he's back in the gym with the trainers doing one-on-one. In the meantime he's losing protagonism because he's not correcting his flaws as fast as the team dynamic requires.

[JoshuaPotter]

Wow...the Bol narrative has certainly changed. What do any of you honestly think is his return trade value?

(you know, because of our crowded frontcourt...)

He remains an amazing prospect (project). I think he can peak as a lamar odom type impact player. That being said, as of right now, I do not know. I am always rooting for him as he seems like a good player.

Exactly this. His body of work is very promising, he just has to show he can play within a team and role. I love our collection of bigs though the mix might not be perfect and there does appear to be overlap. I don't think he's a critical piece and wonder if I'd want him in our eight man rotation when we are a playoff team... His ability to block shots, rebound, ISO, and score in transition is a really good foundation. I don't think he plays himself back into our starting rotation but I don't rule out that he's a starter at the 4 for someone in the league. Interesting asset.

The challenge is will we get Isaac back at full strength or wont we. Ignoring Isaac.

Paolo
Franz
WCJ
G Harris
Fultz

Cole
Suggs
Wagner
Bol-bol

Considering how G Harris is only here because he is an amazing spot up shooter. I think you can make a case where if Cole / Suggs / Franz develop in any additional ways that G Harris falls all the way down to 9.

How do I look at a lineup today assuming we are 100% healthy.

Paolo
Franz
WCJ
G harris
Fultz
Cole
M Wagner
Isaac

The Wagner brothers have brought proven energy and chemistry game after game where more often then not I am cheering on their antics rather then smacking my head. Mo has also developed a league reputation as a bit of an enforcer. Which is funny because in terms of dirty plays/players that dudes got nothing on Matt Barnes / Rafer Alston (to drop some names we are familiar with). There is a planet where the a Bol-Bol firing on all cylinders drops Mo Wagner or G harris off the list and we make it work though.

That "F" position of ours just looks so good. Even our "prospect" has potential to be impact players in the league. Another weakness of Bols game from watching is I rarely see the dude box out when he is going for a rebound. But I can say that of alot of our players.

[Skybox]

Wow...the Bol narrative has certainly changed. What do any of you honestly think is his return trade value?

(you know, because of our crowded frontcourt...)

I'll give you mine...he has no trade value. He's a novelty who makes crazy shots and crazy blocks (usually on guards who've blown by him) because of his physical profile. He puts it on the floor after a long rebound, like an uncoachable 5th grader, and high dribbles the length of the court, ignoring all of his teammates, and crashes into a crowd of defenders. Sometimes, amazingly, it goes in. In fact, it goes in a lot more than you'd think it should. It's a lot of fun for a crappy team to unleash him and let the bench have a good ole time yukking it up when he makes a highlight reel shot. The same crazy shot that always went in, at every level, because he's just so much longer than everyone else. I don't think he's got a rotation spot on a serious team and we are on the brink of becoming a serious team.

If you disagree, go post some 'unicorn', 'Wemby 2.0' trade offers on the general boards and see what you get back...then, convince yourself that noone outside of ORL fans have an objective view of Bol like you do. Sorry

[AaronB]

Bol's trade value has not changed since the beginning of the year.

He has no trade value.

Even when he was getting some really good numbers and providing highlights, he had no trade value.

Even if he were to have continued putting up the numbers that he did, he would still have almost no trade value because of the injury risk.

If he stays healthy over the next couple of years, then I expect that to change.

The players that see him the most say that he has elite offensive skills right now.

I am inclined to believe them, even though I have not seen it all that much on the court.

There have been glimpses, but he clearly will have to show growth in how he applies those skills during the games.

[Skin]

A guy his size simply wouldn't work long term as a starter. Same worry I had for Chet Holmgren. I love what he brings in a reserve role and I hope he is part of our long term plans on an affordable contract.

[drsd]

I'll give you mine...he has no trade value. He's a novelty who makes crazy shots and crazy blocks (usually on guards who've blown by him) because of his physical profile. He puts it on the floor after a long rebound, like an uncoachable 5th grader, and high dribbles the length of the court, ignoring all of his teammates, and crashes into a crowd of defenders. Sometimes, amazingly, it goes in. In fact, it goes in a lot more than you'd think it should. It's a lot of fun for a crappy team to unleash him and let the bench have a good ole time yukking it up when he makes a highlight reel shot. The same crazy shot that always went in, at every level, because he's just so much longer than everyone else. I don't think he's got a rotation spot on a serious team and we are on the brink of becoming a serious team.

Everyone agrees with this. But, what happens if Bol is coachable and starts playing within the team? For example, if Bol's defense goes from horrible to just-bad, he is a probable rotational on this team as it moves to a playoff contender from next year.

If Bol wants a real shot in the NBA, he needs to stop turning the ball over. That means the hero ball must end.

In the end, this is kind of his rookie year. If we see this through such a growth-lens, then we can reasonable assume Bol will get better at playing in position and at his team defensive rotations.

I have basically accepted that his miracle buckets are actually part of his game; we should expect him to continue to be efficient as a scorer in his super unorthodox manner of getting his looks.