Mohamed Bamba

[Duke4life831]

Bamba is more fluid than Gobert but he isn't more athletic, and he is also way behind when it comes to strength, also Rudy is a freaking workhorse, on and off the field, to me Bamba is more of a curiosity than a real ball player

I still don't see it. I think he's more athletic than Gobert, I think he's more fluid, agile, gets from end to end quicker and I think he gets up higher. I also think he's further ahead strength wise than Gobert was coming into the league.

[JMac1]

Just curious cuz I haven't seen that much games of his, but in terms of defense ONLY, how is he different from the other hyped-prospect that were long , lean and supposedly athletic that were busts like Saer Sene and Thon Maker?

Completely different. Thon was never known to be a great defender. He was also very inconsistent and disappeared all the time. Bamba just isn't really long and therefore has potential as a defender. He's a really good defender that is really long. The dude has great instincts defensively and is very consistent. Bamba's defense maybe the thing I have the most faith in translating with this draft.

I love offense. I’m a Suns fan, but this guy can play defense on 2 players at one time....crazy. Allowing your perimeter players to play up on defense and not worry about getting beat makes the whole team better. He may not be the best two-way prospect, but everything I saw and read says he could be a generational defender; and if defense wins championships, Bamba can’t be taken lightly because he isn’t flashy on O.

[RookieStar]

Just curious cuz I haven't seen that much games of his, but in terms of defense ONLY, how is he different from the other hyped-prospect that were long , lean and supposedly athletic that were busts like Saer Sene and Thon Maker?

He's probably the best defensive prospect since Anthony Davis. Guys like Thon Maker are just not close to being as good as him.

Thanks I get that, but I was looking for more details like his later quickness is like a wing, his rotations are etc etc

[RookieStar]

Just curious cuz I haven't seen that much games of his, but in terms of defense ONLY, how is he different from the other hyped-prospect that were long , lean and supposedly athletic that were busts like Saer Sene and Thon Maker?

Completely different. Thon was never known to be a great defender. He was also very inconsistent and disappeared all the time. Bamba just isn't really long and therefore has potential as a defender. He's a really good defender that is really long. The dude has great instincts defensively and is very consistent. Bamba's defense maybe the thing I have the most faith in translating with this draft.

Ok got it. Thanks. Question though, Thon was inconsistent in the NBA only or even before wherever he was scouted at?

[clyde21]

Just curious cuz I haven't seen that much games of his, but in terms of defense ONLY, how is he different from the other hyped-prospect that were long , lean and supposedly athletic that were busts like Saer Sene and Thon Maker?

He's probably the best defensive prospect since Anthony Davis. Guys like Thon Maker are just not close to being as good as him.

Thanks I get that, but I was looking for more details like his later quickness is like a wing, his rotations are etc etc

He's just better. Better BBIQ, switches more effectively, longer, displays much better timing on his blocks more fluid in short quarters, etc.

[Duke4life831]

Just curious cuz I haven't seen that much games of his, but in terms of defense ONLY, how is he different from the other hyped-prospect that were long , lean and supposedly athletic that were busts like Saer Sene and Thon Maker?

Completely different. Thon was never known to be a great defender. He was also very inconsistent and disappeared all the time. Bamba just isn't really long and therefore has potential as a defender. He's a really good defender that is really long. The dude has great instincts defensively and is very consistent. Bamba's defense maybe the thing I have the most faith in translating with this draft.

Ok got it. Thanks. Question though, Thon was inconsistent in the NBA only or even before wherever he was scouted at?

Here is what I said the day here declared for the draft.

"Best case I think for him is late lottery-teens to early 20s. I do think he is going to go 1st round and I do think he is going to be a workout warrior and really impress some teams in his workouts. He is a legit footer that can jump and is long and has put on a good amount of muscle the past year. He also can hit 3 balls in warm ups and in workouts. But the thing is, none of this has ever really transferred to games consistently for him. Thon is the definition of a guy with an unbelievable youtube highlight but when you watch him play you go "this is the same dude?". I can see Boston taking a chance on him with one of their 1st rounders and not their Brooklyn pick."

Thon was always the guy in high school that looked great one game then could disappear against a 6'6" high school center. He was the definition of inconsistent.

[Duke4life831]

He's probably the best defensive prospect since Anthony Davis. Guys like Thon Maker are just not close to being as good as him.

Thanks I get that, but I was looking for more details like his later quickness is like a wing, his rotations are etc etc

He's just better. Better BBIQ, switches more effectively, longer, displays much better timing on his blocks more fluid in short quarters, etc.

Thon always played pretty stiff defensively. Bamba has shown a much better ability to get down in a defensive position and handle PnRs at a much better level than Thon ever showed.

[RookieStar]

He's probably the best defensive prospect since Anthony Davis. Guys like Thon Maker are just not close to being as good as him.

Thanks I get that, but I was looking for more details like his later quickness is like a wing, his rotations are etc etc

He's just better. Better BBIQ, switches more effectively, longer, displays much better timing on his blocks more fluid in short quarters, etc.

Ah cool. Thanks.

[RookieStar]

Thanks I get that, but I was looking for more details like his later quickness is like a wing, his rotations are etc etc

He's just better. Better BBIQ, switches more effectively, longer, displays much better timing on his blocks more fluid in short quarters, etc.

Thon always played pretty stiff defensively. Bamba has shown a much better ability to get down in a defensive position and handle PnRs at a much better level than Thon ever showed.

That's good to know seeing as we have the GM that drafted Thon. Makes us scared he is going to pick JJJ/Bamba/Bridges over say Ayton/Doncic/Bagley lol

[Ruzious]

Let's be honest here - Milwaukee was foolish to pick Thon so high (and very smart to pick Brogdon in the 2nd round) - probably thinking he was in the mold of a steal like Giannis. He was fully grown (several years older than advertised) and had an awfully thin frame to play center. He's a nice guy who works his arse off, but he has terrible basketball instincts. Bamba is simply a much more gifted player - already considerably longer and stronger - who also seems to have an excellent work ethic - and has a year of quality production at the college level.

[doordoor123]

Let's be honest here - Milwaukee was foolish to pick Thon so high (and very smart to pick Brogdon in the 2nd round) - probably thinking he was in the mold of a steal like Giannis. He was fully grown (several years older than advertised) and had an awfully thin frame to play center. He's a nice guy who works his arse off, but he has terrible basketball instincts. Bamba is simply a much more gifted player - already considerably longer and stronger - who also seems to have an excellent work ethic - and has a year of quality production at the college level.

I half-agree, but he entered the draft after high school. He has had a lot of catching up to do. I wonder what he looks like in three years. He’s still super fluid and Milwaukee was probably the wrong team for him to develop on. KG worked out with him and believes in him, so I can’t just give up on him.

I just think projects are less valuable than we value them because they’re not likely to reach that upside till it seems their second contract and at that time they’re probably on another team.

[PLO]

Bamba is more fluid than Gobert but he isn't more athletic, and he is also way behind when it comes to strength, also Rudy is a freaking workhorse, on and off the field, to me Bamba is more of a curiosity than a real ball player

Isn’t more athletic? I think you need to watch more Texas games. Bamba’s hand goes over the backboard when he jumps. I agree in terms of his basketball skills needing work though. And his personality scares me a little. I don’t know if he will push himself to be great.

When he is able to get a running start he puts his hand over the backboard, he's actually not that good of a leaper. Like he has to coil himself from a standing start off two feet, and this is far more pertinent to his NBA outcome given he will very rarely get a running start like he did on that infamous dunk against VCU. We're not talking about a guy who has an awesome double jump attribute like Bagley.

Now you can argue that this isn't much of an issue given his absurd length, which is fair enough, but its certainly a factor. To my mind, Gobert is more athletic in terms of what is required from a 5 in the NBA. Also we really do not know anything about Bamba's defensive IQ given the lack of a 3 second rule in college, allowing Bamba just to park himself under the rim.

This talk of him being the best defensive prospect since Anthony Davis is absurd. He's not even the best defensive prospect in his own class, or even at the position he plays at.

[No-Man]

lol Bamba takes forever to load up, he is fluid and moves well, but he isnt quick at all or athletic in the classical sense, Gobert is def a stronger guy, and just more physical overall

Bamba is gonna get walled in PnR as a roller.

[clyde21]

lol Bamba takes forever to load up, he is fluid and moves well, but he isnt quick at all or athletic in the classical sense, Gobert is def a stronger guy, and just more physical overall

Bamba is gonna get walled in PnR as a roller.

u wild

[Prez]

Let's be honest here - Milwaukee was foolish to pick Thon so high (and very smart to pick Brogdon in the 2nd round) - probably thinking he was in the mold of a steal like Giannis. He was fully grown (several years older than advertised) and had an awfully thin frame to play center. He's a nice guy who works his arse off, but he has terrible basketball instincts. Bamba is simply a much more gifted player - already considerably longer and stronger - who also seems to have an excellent work ethic - and has a year of quality production at the college level.

I half-agree, but he entered the draft after high school. He has had a lot of catching up to do. I wonder what he looks like in three years. He’s still super fluid and Milwaukee was probably the wrong team for him to develop on. KG worked out with him and believes in him, so I can’t just give up on him.

I just think projects are less valuable than we value them because they’re not likely to reach that upside till it seems their second contract and at that time they’re probably on another team.

Eh he's got good lateral quickness for a "center" but his physical tools outside of that are pretty mediocre imho. Incredibly weak, spazzy/uncoordinated, horrible hands, and despite his combine results he struggles to elevate at the basket and it's especially awful when he faces even a tiny bit of contact.

Add to that his abysmal instincts on both ends and I just don't see him getting it. He's awful at nearly everything besides I guess shooting, where he's okay for his position. Regularly lost/out of position defensively, gets demolished on the boards and in the post, flat out can't catch the basketball cleanly, and even if he does has terrible body control, zero strength or touch around the basket. Literally his only value on paper right now is his shooting, and even that isn't there right now and teams don't care about guarding him.

Trust me I have no issue blaming the Bucks for stuff, but with Thon I don't think there's a single team in the league where he would've developed well on. He's just so far off in so many areas.

[JMac1]

Let's be honest here - Milwaukee was foolish to pick Thon so high (and very smart to pick Brogdon in the 2nd round) - probably thinking he was in the mold of a steal like Giannis. He was fully grown (several years older than advertised) and had an awfully thin frame to play center. He's a nice guy who works his arse off, but he has terrible basketball instincts. Bamba is simply a much more gifted player - already considerably longer and stronger - who also seems to have an excellent work ethic - and has a year of quality production at the college level.

I half-agree, but he entered the draft after high school. He has had a lot of catching up to do. I wonder what he looks like in three years. He’s still super fluid and Milwaukee was probably the wrong team for him to develop on. KG worked out with him and believes in him, so I can’t just give up on him.

I just think projects are less valuable than we value them because they’re not likely to reach that upside till it seems their second contract and at that time they’re probably on another team.

Eh he's got good lateral quickness for a "center" but his physical tools outside of that are pretty mediocre imho. Incredibly weak, spazzy/uncoordinated, horrible hands, and despite his combine results he struggles to elevate at the basket and it's especially awful when he faces even a tiny bit of contact.

Add to that his abysmal instincts on both ends and I just don't see him getting it. He's awful at nearly everything besides I guess shooting, where he's okay for his position. Regularly lost/out of position defensively, gets demolished on the boards and in the post, flat out can't catch the basketball cleanly, and even if he does has terrible body control, zero strength or touch around the basket. Literally his only value on paper right now is his shooting, and even that isn't there right now and teams don't care about guarding him.

Trust me I have no issue blaming the Bucks for stuff, but with Thon I don't think there's a single team in the league where he would've developed well on. He's just so far off in so many areas.

I was reading this like WFT?!? This dude is hating on Bamba, then I realized you were talking about Thon at the end.

[Prez]

I half-agree, but he entered the draft after high school. He has had a lot of catching up to do. I wonder what he looks like in three years. He’s still super fluid and Milwaukee was probably the wrong team for him to develop on. KG worked out with him and believes in him, so I can’t just give up on him.

I just think projects are less valuable than we value them because they’re not likely to reach that upside till it seems their second contract and at that time they’re probably on another team.

Eh he's got good lateral quickness for a "center" but his physical tools outside of that are pretty mediocre imho. Incredibly weak, spazzy/uncoordinated, horrible hands, and despite his combine results he struggles to elevate at the basket and it's especially awful when he faces even a tiny bit of contact.

Add to that his abysmal instincts on both ends and I just don't see him getting it. He's awful at nearly everything besides I guess shooting, where he's okay for his position. Regularly lost/out of position defensively, gets demolished on the boards and in the post, flat out can't catch the basketball cleanly, and even if he does has terrible body control, zero strength or touch around the basket. Literally his only value on paper right now is his shooting, and even that isn't there right now and teams don't care about guarding him.

Trust me I have no issue blaming the Bucks for stuff, but with Thon I don't think there's a single team in the league where he would've developed well on. He's just so far off in so many areas.

I was reading this like WFT?!? This dude is hating on Bamba, then I realized you were talking about Thon at the end.

Yeah haha just saw Thon mentioned and I thought I'd share my thoughts on him. If anyone is worried Bamba could end up like Thon...he won't lol. Just levels above both as a basketball talent and athletic/physical specimen.

[Duke4life831]

I half-agree, but he entered the draft after high school. He has had a lot of catching up to do. I wonder what he looks like in three years. He’s still super fluid and Milwaukee was probably the wrong team for him to develop on. KG worked out with him and believes in him, so I can’t just give up on him.

I just think projects are less valuable than we value them because they’re not likely to reach that upside till it seems their second contract and at that time they’re probably on another team.

Eh he's got good lateral quickness for a "center" but his physical tools outside of that are pretty mediocre imho. Incredibly weak, spazzy/uncoordinated, horrible hands, and despite his combine results he struggles to elevate at the basket and it's especially awful when he faces even a tiny bit of contact.

Add to that his abysmal instincts on both ends and I just don't see him getting it. He's awful at nearly everything besides I guess shooting, where he's okay for his position. Regularly lost/out of position defensively, gets demolished on the boards and in the post, flat out can't catch the basketball cleanly, and even if he does has terrible body control, zero strength or touch around the basket. Literally his only value on paper right now is his shooting, and even that isn't there right now and teams don't care about guarding him.

Trust me I have no issue blaming the Bucks for stuff, but with Thon I don't think there's a single team in the league where he would've developed well on. He's just so far off in so many areas.

I was reading this like WFT?!? This dude is hating on Bamba, then I realized you were talking about Thon at the end.

Haha I was thinking the same thing. I was like man Prez and I usually agree on a lot of things but damn what is he seeing in Bamba that I'm not. Then by the end of it I was like ya Prez is dead on haha.

[zzaj]

Honest question...

On the surface, statistically, Bamba looks like Thabeet 2.0. Will somebody please set me straight on this comparison?

[SeattleJazzFan]

the question with bamba in terms of the Rudy comparison is toughness, competitiveness, motor, whatever you want to call that crap. I've tried to read that stuff when I watch Bamba and don't get a good feel for where he's at either way. but it would be a concern if I'm hoping for the next Gobert. I mean, Bamba could be solid in that area and still fall short of Gobert - that's really what sets Rudy apart - he's incredibly tough and ultra competitive with a great motor. If I were confident Bamba could duplicate those things with a similar work ethic, I'd definitely consider him #1 overall. he has a legit jumpshot - needs a lot of improvement, but his stroke is solid.