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

[tooler]

I think ultimately the Magic will have to go to a more traditional lineup.

I’m not so sure. Maybe if Mosley has full control over the lineup. If Weltham are calling the shots, I think they’re having way too much fun with this.

[MagicManMike]

I think ultimately the Magic will have to go to a more traditional lineup.

I’m not so sure. Maybe if Mosley has full control over the lineup. If Weltham are calling the shots, I think they’re having way too much fun with this.

There is no way in this world the front office doesn’t ride their unicorn and continue looking for more. They are still pissed not to have been in Milwaukee for the championship run.

I’d love to have the number one pick this year because you know they would choose Wemby and you know they would play Bol next to him

[MagicManMike]

“Now, some corners of NBA Twitter are arguing he’s the real Victor Wembanyama. Judging by true shooting percentage, 3-point rate, and block average no one besides Bol and Myles Turner this season has ever shot the ball and defended the rim so well at the same time since those numbers were first collected in 1982-83.”

“Among players with at least 50 shot attempts at the rim, no one scores more points per possession than Bol, per Synergy”

“Only eight players have chalked up more points from offensive rebounds than the Magic forward (45), with 79.3 percent of such possessions ending up in buckets. ”

“He cuts more efficiently than Nikola Jokic, Evan Mobley, and Zion Williamson, bringing in 1.59 points per possession, according to Synergy. And he knocks down floaters at a higher clip as star guards Kyle Lowry and De’Aaron Fox, with an effective field goal percentage of 42.9.”

“at 60.7, his effective field goal percentage has been just a shade below Steph Curry’s.”

“Only Nic Claxton and Harrison Barnes score more points per possession (1.8) when defended by guards than Bol has this season.”

“Bol’s ballhandling makes him particularly dangerous in isolation—he ranks top 15 among players with at least 25 iso plays, generating 1.4 points per possession”

“His coast-to-coast drives—he’s tied for the seventh most in the league with 14”

https://www.theringer.com/platform/amp/nba/2022/11/29/23482975/bol-bol-orlando-magic

“Bol is far from a finished product—and one can only guess what the finished product could be. But one thing is certain: He is neither a myth nor a folk legend. Bol’s talent is as real as it gets.”

[MagicManMike]

“Everyone talks about the Victor dude from France,” Magic star Paolo Banchero told HoopsHype when asked who compares to Bol. “I’m not trying to compare them, but Bol’s 7-foot-2, shoots threes, brings it up the court, makes passes, and blocks shots. I feel like people kind of forget about him, but Bol’s a freak of nature.”

“I don’t think any of us have been surprised by him,” Banchero told HoopsHype. “He was highly touted coming out of high school, and in the games he played in college, he dominated. He’s been capable his whole life. From the first day I got on the court with him in the summer, it was obvious. I was like, “I don’t know how this guy hasn’t been playing.” He’s ultra-talented at 7-foot-2, can shoot pull-up threes, and block shots all around the court. He moves like a 6-foot-5 shooting guard. It’s crazy.”

https://hoopshype.com/2022/11/29/nba-rumors-bol-bol-victor-wembanyama-comparison-most-improved-player-candidate/

#starter

“He’s unique and tough to deal with,” Durant said. “You’re seeing his confidence growing by the game. He can pretty much do everything on the basketball court. He just needs more reps. The last few years, he’s been in and out of the lineup hurt or in G League stints. I love what Jamahl is doing with him over there, putting him at the point sometimes and the five. He’s moving him around because he’s such a versatile player. It’s great for the league. I think you’ll start to see him continue to be more of an impact player as time goes on.”

[MagicManMike]

“Bol Bol though, do yourself a favor and watch him. I know you might think you're wasting your time watching a 5-16 team but I promise you you'll see some **** you've never really seen before. He's that rare of a talent.”



https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3446591/bol-bol-is-currently-doing-his-best-victor-wembanyama-impression-and-its-just-as-ridiculous-to-watch

[PrimeThyme]

It's honestly been nothing but positive the entire year with Bol on my end. I think a lot of focus in this conversation is being placed on his defense, and while it can be better, I do think it's getting blown a bit out of proportion.

He's definitely not the most switchable big on the perimeter, but he has shown the ability to contest and close out shots with his length at a level very few people in this league can. His effort on that end has been great this year as well, and I do not have the same motor concerns as I did for Bamba. He currently sits 4th on the team in defensive rating and leads all starters in DBPM and DWS.

The biggest thing that I see is just discipline issues. Young shot-blockers can often struggle with over-committing, and I think you saw a player like Claxton last night just feast on the boards when Bol would go to block a shot and not get his body on a man.

Bol is somebody who just hasn't had enough NBA or even college reps.

He has such a unique and talented skillset, but this year is the first time he's really been able to have the chance to start to figure it all out and put it together. Because of that, his ideal role right now would be as a reserve playing 22-25 mpg. But if we're talking about ceiling? I think it's immense. He could legitimately be one of the more impactful/unguardable players in the league if he continues to put it together and remains healthy.

Some of the efficiency and box score numbers this year would suggest that trajectory. I am lightyears away from being a fan of this front office, but if they hit on this lottery ticket, they could have a future contender on their hands.

[tleikheen]

but this year is the first time he's really been able to have the chance to start to figure it all out and put it together. Because of that, his ideal role right now would be as a reserve playing 22-25 mpg.

and coming off the bench and he figures it out maybe he can get his shooting percentage up to 46 /27/72 like the star of the team Paolo Banchero.......

[SOUL]

but this year is the first time he's really been able to have the chance to start to figure it all out and put it together. Because of that, his ideal role right now would be as a reserve playing 22-25 mpg.

and coming off the bench and he figures it out maybe he can get his shooting percentage up to 46 /27/72 like the star of the team Paolo Banchero.......

Trolling (or disparaging) Wagner and Banchero like I've seen you do the past few days is certainly a bold take.

[thelead]

You know, I’m not going to let the extreme fanboys lessen my love for Bol. IMO, he’s part of the core and with his efficiency and shot blocking, he’s going to get all the opportunities he can handle. All of this back and forth is ridiculous.

[tleikheen]

Trolling (or disparaging) Wagner and Banchero like I've seen you do the past few days is certainly a bold take.

You get butthurt on their statistics ,because nothing is made up ,you can easily fact check their shooting statistics yourself

[SOUL]

Trolling (or disparaging) Wagner and Banchero like I've seen you do the past few days is certainly a bold take.

You get butthurt on their statistics ,because nothing is made up ,you can easily fact check their shooting statistics yourself

Wagner is a 20 ppg sophomore shooting 50/32/86.

Banchero is a rookie averaging 23 ppg.

They are not imperfect players. Wagner's three point percentage will need to get better, and Banchero's efficiency will get better as he learns the NBA. He's a rookie.

But yes, I am extremely "butthurt" about these two people having the ball when all of our guards are out.

[Bensational]

This feels like the first argument I’ve seen where everyone likes a player, but some feel we don’t like him enough.

For the record, I want to see Bol get all the minutes, reps and shots he can handle this year, along with Paolo and Franz and Suggs. There’s enough minutes for all of them.

[Knightro]

Trolling (or disparaging) Wagner and Banchero like I've seen you do the past few days is certainly a bold take.

You get butthurt on their statistics ,because nothing is made up ,you can easily fact check their shooting statistics yourself

Minus the context of the fact that one guy is 15 games into his career and one guy is four years into his career.

I'd also argue Franz's .592 TS% is more impressive than Bol's .668 TS% when you factor in how heavy of a usage burden Franz has had to take on with all the injuries.

In fact, Franz's efficiency has actually gone way up the more possessions he's used, which is not normal. In November Franz a .637 TS% on a nearly 26% usage rate.

Bol's been extremely efficient overall offensively and I'm not discrediting that at all, but it's also factual - and not coincidental - that 3 of Bol's 4 highest usage games also happened to be three of his least efficient games this season.

[Optimus_Steel]

I don't see why Bol Bol would not be able to be a starter. He looks capable, however he certainly is not a guard, that was pretty clear in the Philly game and really depends on what WeHam decides to do with this roster going forward. If they intend on having Wendell, Paolo, and Franz as starters then its hard to see Bol Bol starting, but is not because he is not capable. If that is the case then Bol Bol looks like a great 6th man which is a good problem.

[Knightro]

I don't see why Bol Bol would not be able to be a starter. He looks capable, however he certainly is not a guard, that was pretty clear in the Philly game and really depends on what WeHam decides to do with this roster going forward. If they intend on having Wendell, Paolo, and Franz as starters then its hard to see Bol Bol starting, but is not because he is not capable. If that is the case then Bol Bol looks like a great 6th man which is a good problem.

Right like....

There's 240 minutes to be had in every game. Even if Bol doesn't start, there's still plenty of opportunities for him to play a lot.

[The Real Dalic]

Trolling (or disparaging) Wagner and Banchero like I've seen you do the past few days is certainly a bold take.

You get butthurt on their statistics ,because nothing is made up ,you can easily fact check their shooting statistics yourself

Wagner is a 20 ppg sophomore shooting 50/32/86.

Banchero is a rookie averaging 23 ppg.

They are not imperfect players. Wagner's three point percentage will need to get better, and Banchero's efficiency will get better as he learns the NBA. He's a rookie.

But yes, I am extremely "butthurt" about these two people having the ball when all of our guards are out.

Plus, not sure why he used just raw shooting percentages considering Luka is in, what, year 4? And is only shooting 50/31/72 which is only 4 percentage points higher than Paolo in 2's and 3's and Paolo is only a rookie. I hope he isn't going to claim that Bol is better than Luka just due to nothing but efficiency.

[Mc-o]

I don't see why Bol Bol would not be able to be a starter. He looks capable, however he certainly is not a guard, that was pretty clear in the Philly game and really depends on what WeHam decides to do with this roster going forward. If they intend on having Wendell, Paolo, and Franz as starters then its hard to see Bol Bol starting, but is not because he is not capable. If that is the case then Bol Bol looks like a great 6th man which is a good problem.

Right like....

There's 240 minutes to be had in every game. Even if Bol doesn't start, there's still plenty of opportunities for him to play a lot.

Not to mention there is always injuries , so the more guys the better lol

[davey_wavy]

Here is how you know if youre all in on BOL.

If he were traded, would you be upset?

[KillMonger]

Definitely worthy of developing since I feel he's just scratching the surface of what he could be.....but is he a long term starter? Maybe..... I need to see more

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[Skybox]

Here is how you know if youre all in on BOL.

If he were traded, would you be upset?

for who?