Mohamed Bamba

[clyde21]

Mohamed Bamba has a great head on his shoulders and has motor isn't a consistency.

It's quite remarkable how underrated this guy is becoming. Rudy Gobert is his floor. Yes, FLOOR.

That's so far in the other direction it's not even funny. No prospect in this day and age has a Gobert floor.

His worst case scenario in the league is Rudy Gobert.

You can quote me on that one.

[CptCrunch]

Mohamed Bamba has a great head on his shoulders and has motor isn't a consistency.

It's quite remarkable how underrated this guy is becoming. Rudy Gobert is his floor. Yes, FLOOR.

That's so far in the other direction it's not even funny. No prospect in this day and age has a Gobert floor.

If anyone's floor is Gobert, they are the #1 pick in this draft. DPOY level players can't be anyone's floor.

[Alatan]

Mohamed Bamba has a great head on his shoulders and has motor isn't a consistency.

It's quite remarkable how underrated this guy is becoming. Rudy Gobert is his floor. Yes, FLOOR.

That's so far in the other direction it's not even funny. No prospect in this day and age has a Gobert floor.

If anyone's floor is Gobert, they are the #1 pick in this draft. DPOY level players can't be anyone's floor.

Bamba is the #1 pick on my board.

[baldur]

i am very high on him. i am not gonna be surprised if he becomes the most impactful prospect out of this draft. freakish size, length are hard not to take into account.

[antonac]

about december or so, when it looked as if the Lakers might fall to 6-8 in the lotto and the pick would go to Boston I thought they'd be salivating at the prospect of this guy, his stock has gone up since then though and the Lakers have fallen to a spot where philly will get the pick so they've no chance.

[yoyoboy]

Mohamed Bamba has a great head on his shoulders and has motor isn't a consistency.

It's quite remarkable how underrated this guy is becoming. Rudy Gobert is his floor. Yes, FLOOR.

That's so far in the other direction it's not even funny. No prospect in this day and age has a Gobert floor.

His worst case scenario in the league is Rudy Gobert.

You can quote me on that one.

Gobert even before draft day had a much better lower base than Bamba. Bamba's legs are absolute twigs and I fear he's going to get pushed around in the NBA. It's about a 15 pound difference between the two when they were the same age, despite Gobert being really skinny himself.

Also, I'm not sure Bamba will be as smart of a player as Gobert. Gobert is a guy who understands positioning really well, sets hard screens, and doesn't just just try to block everything into the stands. Bamba really wasn't that impactful of a defender at Texas in my opinion. He has the tools to be, clearly with his length, mobility, and leaping ability, but he just looks lost a lot of the time. And offensively, I'm afraid he'll be a guy who tries to do too much and doesn't play to his strengths. If he tries to emulate Embiid or Love on the offensive end, I think it'll really hurt his development. And in my opinion, Bamba's 0.5 apg to 1.5 topg are pretty frightening when it comes to evaluating his feel for the game. There's also a question of his intensity. He rarely boxes out, he's routinely the last guy back on defense, and he just doesn't have the toughness that you'd like to see from your paint protector.

They're obviously all different and unique players, but Bamba could just as easily become Hasheem Thabeet, Nerlens Noel, or WCS.

[cedric76]

That's so far in the other direction it's not even funny. No prospect in this day and age has a Gobert floor.

His worst case scenario in the league is Rudy Gobert.

You can quote me on that one.

Gobert even before draft day had a much better lower base than Bamba. Bamba's legs are absolute twigs and I fear he's going to get pushed around in the NBA. It's about a 15 pound difference between the two when they were the same age, despite Gobert being really skinny himself.

Also, I'm not sure Bamba will be as smart of a player as Gobert. Gobert is a guy who understands positioning really well, sets hard screens, and doesn't just just try to block everything into the stands. Bamba really wasn't that impactful of a defender at Texas in my opinion. He has the tools to be, clearly with his length, mobility, and leaping ability, but he just looks lost a lot of the time. And offensively, I'm afraid he'll be a guy who tries to do too much and doesn't play to his strengths. If he tries to emulate Embiid or Love on the offensive end, I think it'll really hurt his development. And in my opinion, Bamba's 0.5 apg to 1.5 topg are pretty frightening when it comes to evaluating his feel for the game. There's also a question of his intensity. He rarely boxes out, he's routinely the last guy back on defense, and he just doesn't have the toughness that you'd like to see from your paint protector.

They're obviously all different and unique players, but Bamba could just as easily become Hasheem Thabeet, Nerlens Noel, or WCS.

Nonsense

As a Frenchman and a cholet fan (His previous team), I m very very familiar with rudy, I can tell you that bamba is ahead of rudy at same age

People really have short memory.

I m gonna be very upset if Orlando miss out on doncic and bamba

[yoyoboy]

His worst case scenario in the league is Rudy Gobert.

You can quote me on that one.

Gobert even before draft day had a much better lower base than Bamba. Bamba's legs are absolute twigs and I fear he's going to get pushed around in the NBA. It's about a 15 pound difference between the two when they were the same age, despite Gobert being really skinny himself.

Also, I'm not sure Bamba will be as smart of a player as Gobert. Gobert is a guy who understands positioning really well, sets hard screens, and doesn't just just try to block everything into the stands. Bamba really wasn't that impactful of a defender at Texas in my opinion. He has the tools to be, clearly with his length, mobility, and leaping ability, but he just looks lost a lot of the time. And offensively, I'm afraid he'll be a guy who tries to do too much and doesn't play to his strengths. If he tries to emulate Embiid or Love on the offensive end, I think it'll really hurt his development. And in my opinion, Bamba's 0.5 apg to 1.5 topg are pretty frightening when it comes to evaluating his feel for the game. There's also a question of his intensity. He rarely boxes out, he's routinely the last guy back on defense, and he just doesn't have the toughness that you'd like to see from your paint protector.

They're obviously all different and unique players, but Bamba could just as easily become Hasheem Thabeet, Nerlens Noel, or WCS.

Nonsense

As a Frenchman and a cholet fan (His previous team), I m very very familiar with rudy, I can tell you that bamba is ahead of rudy at same age

People really have short memory.

I m gonna be very upset if Orlando miss out on doncic and bamba

That could very well be true, but you can't count on him developing in the same way that Gobert did. Gobert was picked 27th in what was considered a weak draft so him becoming arguably a top 10 player in the league wasn't supposed to happen and shows that he made great strides from how raw he once was. But ignoring Gobert for a second, what did I say about Bamba that was inaccurate? He has some legitimate red flags in my eyes.

[The-Power]

Mohamed Bamba has a great head on his shoulders and has motor isn't a consistency.

It's quite remarkable how underrated this guy is becoming. Rudy Gobert is his floor. Yes, FLOOR.

That's so far in the other direction it's not even funny. No prospect in this day and age has a Gobert floor.

His worst case scenario in the league is Rudy Gobert.

You can quote me on that one.

Then Bamba must be among the three or so best prospects ever to enter the draft in your eyes. In reality, nobody's floor is a top 10-15 player in what is currently a really stacked league. Not even close.

[cedric76]

Gobert even before draft day had a much better lower base than Bamba. Bamba's legs are absolute twigs and I fear he's going to get pushed around in the NBA. It's about a 15 pound difference between the two when they were the same age, despite Gobert being really skinny himself.

Also, I'm not sure Bamba will be as smart of a player as Gobert. Gobert is a guy who understands positioning really well, sets hard screens, and doesn't just just try to block everything into the stands. Bamba really wasn't that impactful of a defender at Texas in my opinion. He has the tools to be, clearly with his length, mobility, and leaping ability, but he just looks lost a lot of the time. And offensively, I'm afraid he'll be a guy who tries to do too much and doesn't play to his strengths. If he tries to emulate Embiid or Love on the offensive end, I think it'll really hurt his development. And in my opinion, Bamba's 0.5 apg to 1.5 topg are pretty frightening when it comes to evaluating his feel for the game. There's also a question of his intensity. He rarely boxes out, he's routinely the last guy back on defense, and he just doesn't have the toughness that you'd like to see from your paint protector.

They're obviously all different and unique players, but Bamba could just as easily become Hasheem Thabeet, Nerlens Noel, or WCS.

Nonsense

As a Frenchman and a cholet fan (His previous team), I m very very familiar with rudy, I can tell you that bamba is ahead of rudy at same age

People really have short memory.

I m gonna be very upset if Orlando miss out on doncic and bamba

That could very well be true, but you can't count on him developing in the same way that Gobert did. Gobert was picked 27th in what was considered a weak draft so him becoming arguably a top 10 player in the league wasn't supposed to happen and shows that he made great strides from how raw he once was. But ignoring Gobert for a second, what did I say about Bamba that was inaccurate? He has some legitimate red flags in my eyes.

BAMBA (like rudy was) is a project, he 'll need at least 3 years to become a good player in this league.

Is rudy his floor? Nonsense
Could he ceiling be higher than rudy? Possibly

Nevertheless I hope the magic will draft him if the miss out on doncic

[King Ken]

Bamba is not a project like Rudy was. Bamba actually can help a team right now. Rudy as a rookie at best was a decent piece on the Bakerfield Jam. Let's not forget how far Rudy was to Bamba.

As far as potential, it's not close. Bamba has a much higher ceiling. That said, I don't see Bamba having Rudys impact on defense. Once Gobert got in the gym and worked on his lower body, he became a menace. One of the rare players who has great post defense, rim protector, paint protection and can defend the PnR. Bamba has potential to be a great rim and paint protector but he will likely never develop his low body just due to the way he built. He will likely never be much of a post defender outside of his length effecting players shot.

Offensively, it's not close. Bamba has range, better form, far more coordinated, superior handles, superior first step, more of a feel for the game, can command the defensive game plan, and he's far more athletic at this stage and has a better frame on offense. Bamba has broad shoulders. He could add 30 more pounds to his frame as he matures physically. It's not even close how much better Bamba can be than Gobert on offense. Bamba can be a special offensive player with the right coaching, system and development.

That said, Bamba is raw. He's no where close to the finished product.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[JMac1]

Bamba will be a stud. He looks much better than Rudy at the same age, and he is gonna fill out well enough.

[eminence]

Bamba is not a project like Rudy was. Bamba actually can help a team right now. Rudy as a rookie at best was a decent piece on the Bakerfield Jam. Let's not forget how far Rudy was to Bamba.

As far as potential, it's not close. Bamba has a much higher ceiling. That said, I don't see Bamba having Rudys impact on defense. Once Gobert got in the gym and worked on his lower body, he became a menace. One of the rare players who has great post defense, rim protector, paint protection and can defend the PnR. Bamba has potential to be a great rim and paint protector but he will likely never develop his low body just due to the way he built. He will likely never be much of a post defender outside of his length effecting players shot.

Offensively, it's not close. Bamba has range, better form, far more coordinated, superior handles, superior first step, more of a feel for the game, can command the defensive game plan, and he's far more athletic at this stage and has a better frame on offense. Bamba has broad shoulders. He could add 30 more pounds to his frame as he matures physically. It's not even close how much better Bamba can be than Gobert on offense. Bamba can be a special offensive player with the right coaching, system and development.

That said, Bamba is raw. He's no where close to the finished product.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I should have just ignored Clyde's hyperbole.

But here's a realistic take that I still feel is too generous, but I think it's due to viewing Gobert differently. He's a spectacular player, All-NBA caliber, top 15 in the league. There isn't a big in the league currently who's much better than him. For Bamba to have that type of ceiling he's got to have ATG potential - Hakeem/Shaq level. And I just don't see anything close to that.

[Ruzious]

This is - he's a much better prospect than Nerlens Noel was, and a lot of people thought at the time that Noel should have been the #1 pick in his draft. He's signficantly taller/longer/stronger than Noel with about the same athleticism and skills, and he's got a much better shooting touch. Yes, he's got thin legs but no thinner than Tyson Chandler - who was one of the NBA's sturdiest bigs in his prime.

[The-Power]

He's signficantly taller/longer/stronger than Noel with about the same athleticism and skills, and he's got a much better shooting touch.

He's obviously longer and taller but he's not as quick on his feet – or as quick with his hands – as Noel. I think some of you overrate the agility and mobility Bamba displayed in college. PnR coverage and defending on the perimeter could become huge issues for Bamba in the NBA. For Bamba to have elite defensive impact he must be close to the rim and obviously on the court; we'll see if he can do that. I hope so but remain skeptical and I believe the Gobert comparisons, especially as his floor or mediocre outcome, get thrown out way too easily here. Gobert is special and nobody in this draft has his impact as his mediocre outcome, and much less his floor.

[Ruzious]

He's signficantly taller/longer/stronger than Noel with about the same athleticism and skills, and he's got a much better shooting touch.

He's obviously longer and taller but he's not as quick on his feet – or as quick with his hands – as Noel. I think some of you overrate the agility and mobility Bamba displayed in college. PnR coverage and defending on the perimeter could become huge issues for Bamba in the NBA. For Bamba to have elite defensive impact he must be close to the rim and obviously on the court; we'll see if he can do that. I hope so but remain skeptical and I believe the Gobert comparisons, especially as his floor or mediocre outcome, get thrown out way too easily here. Gobert is special and nobody in this draft has his impact as his mediocre outcome, and much less his floor.

I disagree there on Noel - at least as far as functional agility/mobility. Noel doesn't react any quicker than Bamba - whether it's because of instincts or quickness.

[The-Power]

He's signficantly taller/longer/stronger than Noel with about the same athleticism and skills, and he's got a much better shooting touch.

He's obviously longer and taller but he's not as quick on his feet – or as quick with his hands – as Noel. I think some of you overrate the agility and mobility Bamba displayed in college. PnR coverage and defending on the perimeter could become huge issues for Bamba in the NBA. For Bamba to have elite defensive impact he must be close to the rim and obviously on the court; we'll see if he can do that. I hope so but remain skeptical and I believe the Gobert comparisons, especially as his floor or mediocre outcome, get thrown out way too easily here. Gobert is special and nobody in this draft has his impact as his mediocre outcome, and much less his floor.

I disagree there on Noel - at least as far as functional agility/mobility. Noel doesn't react any quicker than Bamba - whether it's because of instincts or quickness.

Noel averages 3.0 Steals per 100 for his NBA career, and 3.9 Steals at Kentucky. Bamba averages merely 1.5 Steals, and despite his huge frame advantage, his block numbers and BLK% is actually a bit lower than Noel's at Kentucky. Not the be-all and end-all, to be sure, but one of Noel's selling points was his ability to react on defense – partially because of his quick hands, partially because he moves well.

Bamba is more of a big body who changes things by simply being there, and not someone who's getting quickly where he needs to be. And, to me, that's going to be an issue in the NBA when his body can be dragged away from the rim and he must be quick on his feet, with his hands, and in his mind. I'm open to be proven wrong when it comes to Bamba's mobility and agility, but from the numerous games I've seen of him I feel like his somewhat graceful and light-footed movements deceive a lot of people when it comes to Bamba's actual athletic ability (quickness, burst, agility, lateral movement etc.).

[Ferulci]

As a Frenchman and a cholet fan (His previous team), I m very very familiar with rudy, I can tell you that bamba is ahead of rudy at same age

People really have short memory.

I m gonna be very upset if Orlando miss out on doncic and bamba

The thing is that Rudy work ethic and dedication is second to none. His learning curve is the exception, not the norm. Of course Mamba looks better as a prospect, there is a reason why Gobert was drafted at 27th and why Bamba is projected to be Top 7. But it's extremely unrealistic to expect him to get to Rudy level (perennial DPOY contender).
Or by using that logic, Trae Young will be better than Steph Curry since he was a better prospect as a freshman ?

[Ruzious]

He's obviously longer and taller but he's not as quick on his feet – or as quick with his hands – as Noel. I think some of you overrate the agility and mobility Bamba displayed in college. PnR coverage and defending on the perimeter could become huge issues for Bamba in the NBA. For Bamba to have elite defensive impact he must be close to the rim and obviously on the court; we'll see if he can do that. I hope so but remain skeptical and I believe the Gobert comparisons, especially as his floor or mediocre outcome, get thrown out way too easily here. Gobert is special and nobody in this draft has his impact as his mediocre outcome, and much less his floor.

I disagree there on Noel - at least as far as functional agility/mobility. Noel doesn't react any quicker than Bamba - whether it's because of instincts or quickness.

Noel averages 3.0 Steals per 100 for his NBA career, and 3.9 Steals at Kentucky. Bamba averages merely 1.5 Steals, and despite his huge frame advantage, his block numbers and BLK% is actually a bit lower than Noel's at Kentucky. Not the be-all and end-all, to be sure, but one of Noel's selling points was his ability to react on defense – partially because of his quick hands, partially because he moves well.

Bamba is more of a big body who changes things by simply being there, and not someone who's getting quickly where he needs to be. And, to me, that's going to be an issue in the NBA when his body can be dragged away from the rim and he must be quick on his feet, with his hands, and in his mind. I'm open to be proven wrong when it comes to Bamba's mobility and agility, but from the numerous games I've seen of him I feel like his somewhat graceful and light-footed movements deceive a lot of people when it comes to Bamba's actual athletic ability (quickness, burst, agility, lateral movement etc.).

Noel doesn't react well on offense. One of the problems he had at KY was finishing simple alley oops.

[CP War Hawks]

That's so far in the other direction it's not even funny. No prospect in this day and age has a Gobert floor.

His worst case scenario in the league is Rudy Gobert.

You can quote me on that one.

Gobert even before draft day had a much better lower base than Bamba. Bamba's legs are absolute twigs and I fear he's going to get pushed around in the NBA. It's about a 15 pound difference between the two when they were the same age, despite Gobert being really skinny himself.

Also, I'm not sure Bamba will be as smart of a player as Gobert. Gobert is a guy who understands positioning really well, sets hard screens, and doesn't just just try to block everything into the stands. Bamba really wasn't that impactful of a defender at Texas in my opinion. He has the tools to be, clearly with his length, mobility, and leaping ability, but he just looks lost a lot of the time. And offensively, I'm afraid he'll be a guy who tries to do too much and doesn't play to his strengths. If he tries to emulate Embiid or Love on the offensive end, I think it'll really hurt his development. And in my opinion, Bamba's 0.5 apg to 1.5 topg are pretty frightening when it comes to evaluating his feel for the game. There's also a question of his intensity. He rarely boxes out, he's routinely the last guy back on defense, and he just doesn't have the toughness that you'd like to see from your paint protector.

They're obviously all different and unique players, but Bamba could just as easily become Hasheem Thabeet, Nerlens Noel, or WCS.

All of his blocks except one shown on the clip were guided towards his teammates, including himself. His only weakness is his base strength. Can't wait to see how he has progressed size wise during the combine. I'm fairly satisfied with every aspect of his skillset for the age at this point. Let him go to certain teams coughs hawks and watch him reach much of that mass potential.

Watch on YouTube