Mohamed Bamba

[nolang1]

Honest question...

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

You don't have to go too far past the surface to look at a player's age. Accumulating the same stats while being 2+ years younger is certainly a plus.

Of course, the flip side of that is that Bamba is the oldest freshman who will be drafted and is even older than some sophomores who will be drafted, which is why I've had a hard time considering him near the top of the draft. It's not like he just started playing the game 4 years ago, so for his offense to be where it is (regardless of what people think the absolute best-case scenario may be) at this point is an issue.

[doordoor123]

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.

I questioned this as well with Bamba, but his improvement toward the end of the season and his aggressiveness going up made up for that in my mind. I’m personally not a fan of Shaka Smart with centers, specifically with big name centers. He doesn’t know what to do with them and only has them because he’s a big name coach at a big name school. I have a feeling with any center from Texas that there are issues that can be fixed just by having an NBA Coach.

[CP War Hawks]

I get the feeling he is going to annihilate his team workouts. I'm talking urban legend like stuff.

[bigworld2017]

I questioned this as well with Bamba, but his improvement toward the end of the season and his aggressiveness going up made up for that in my mind. I’m personally not a fan of Shaka Smart with centers, specifically with big name centers. He doesn’t know what to do with them and only has them because he’s a big name coach at a big name school. I have a feeling with any center from Texas that there are issues that can be fixed just by having an NBA Coach.[/quote]

I look at the success that Jarrett Allen has had and I thought the same thing. Maybe Shaka's system doesn't adequately develop big men. I gave Allen a 50/50 bust rating in last year's draft. He certainly has made me rethink my doubts. I think Bamba will be the same way. He won't be a factor offensively except on put backs, alley-oops, and an occasional jumper in Year 1, but a few years down the road with NBA level strength training and nutrition he could easily put on 20 pounds of muscle. And after a year working with a big-man NBA coach he could develop some low post moves including a hook shot of some sort that could be devastating with his length. He has coordination and a pretty nice stroke with his outside shot. I could easily see him as a perennial 15 & 10 guy that offers elite rim protection. That's his floor in my opinion. I'd love it if my Bulls could draft him.

[doordoor123]

Bamba is not dealing with the physicality very well against this Nevada team. Hard to see what he’ll do to contribute at the next level offensively if he isn’t strong enough in the post.

[JMac1]

He still looked good overall. He defense will translate. He’ll get posted up early, but guard penetration will be at a minimum.

[doordoor123]

He still looked good overall. He defense will translate. He’ll get posted up early, but guard penetration will be at a minimum.

Teams will be afraid of his defense like they are with Whiteside and it’ll help wing defenders. Texas’ defense fell off a cliff when Bamba was out. Still, there are big holes in terms of dealing with physicality. The bigger players and the more physical players in the NBA are going to give him a lot of trouble.

[Alatan]

I think that NBA strength coaches will fill him up in a couple of years. I dont expect him to walk in and dominate but i expect him to be the best player from this draft in a couple of years. And im not too concerned about him adding mass since most of the NBA is on ''Michael's secret stuff''.

[JMac1]

I think that NBA strength coaches will fill him up in a couple of years. I dont expect him to walk in and dominate but i expect him to be the best player from this draft in a couple of years. And im not too concerned about him adding mass since most of the NBA is on ''Michael's secret stuff''.

And.....he has great muscle tone.

[Nikson]

So, at first step of competitive BB, Mamba is out of a 380 players fighting for championship.
I guess now some other players should also jump out for best NBA Draft top positions.
There must be more ???? for a player who you can't see what he could do in competition 32 best teams of teenagers than those who actually get in first 4 or 2 teams.

How often happened a player drafted 1-5 was on a team out of second tier from 33-64 teams? Is there any data on that?

[doordoor123]

It’s not easy to get a good read on Bamba. Could get a GM fired or a fat contract.

[ronnymac2]

I kind of like him as a prospect. The blocks obviously can overrate him a little, but I like the parts of his defense that doesn't involve shot-blocking. He's got an ability and willingness to show and recover back hard to the basket (sort of like Embiid). Doesn't seem to be a foul-machine despite blocking all those shots.

Offensively I like him, too. I don't know if these stats are available, but I think his mid-range shot can be weaponized in the NBA so that he becomes a legit stretch-5 with strong defensive impact. He is putrid around the basket because he has no strength. Poor handles, which I doubt improve. He's a 68% free throw shooter in college, not great, but not poor.

[Chi town]

Thinking Noel 2.0.

Scared of injuries. Thin frame. Needs to add lots of muscle. Has some skills.

Project. Will take 3 years to show out.

[clyde21]

Thinking Noel 2.0.

Scared of injuries. Thin frame. Needs to add lots of muscle. Has some skills.

Project. Will take 3 years to show out.

What are you talking about? Bamba might have the best frame in the entire draft.



you wanna compare that to Nerlens Noel at Kentucky?

[clyde21]

He's at ~225 now but can get to 240 easily IMO without losing any athleticism or bounce.

[Duke4life831]

Thinking Noel 2.0.

Scared of injuries. Thin frame. Needs to add lots of muscle. Has some skills.

Project. Will take 3 years to show out.

What are you talking about? Bamba might have the best frame in the entire draft.



you wanna compare that to Nerlens Noel at Kentucky?

Ya for people that worry about Bamba's ability to fill out. Go look at what he looked like a couple years ago, the dude was a freaking twig. He has began to fill out very well over the last couple years. Now give him a chance to join a professional weight training program, plus the size of his shoulders. The dude has plenty of potential to fill out very well.

[baldur]

Atlanta should select him if he is considered a project. Atlanta is a bottom 5 team again next year even if they don't wanna tank. My other guess is the suns. They are not going anywhere in 2-3 years with that squad. So they can invest in bamba and have some defensive identity.

[doordoor123]

It’s not his upper body I’m worried about, it’s his lower body. Him gaining weight isn’t dependent on his shoulders, it’s his legs. He’s a 7 footer which means those legs likely can’t take that much weight. His thighs are tiny.

[RookieStar]

^^ You know.. as long as you don't skip leg day....

Seriously though, is there an impediment in developing your lower body except desire? I mean, if you really want to, you can develop it.

[Chi town]

It’s not his upper body I’m worried about, it’s his lower body. Him gaining weight isn’t dependent on his shoulders, it’s his legs. He’s a 7 footer which means those legs likely can’t take that much weight. His thighs are tiny.

Exactly. He will be overpowered. Looks like he’s doing curls for the girls... needs to be doing squats.