Mohamed Bamba

[JMac1]

His baseline as a prospect is a Gobert-level player, IMO, at his best. Possibly a higher ceiling depending on how his offensive game.

Top 2 prospect. Ayton and Bamba should go #1 and 2 respectively.

If that three he is stroking is not an aberration, then yea. Bagley Ayton and Doncic are real too. Love that we will be getting one of them if we want.

I think Ayton and Bamba are in a tier of their own, and then Bagley, Doncic and Carter.

I got Doncic Ayton and Bagley....Bamba ain’t there yet.

[NotACat]

His baseline as a prospect is a Gobert-level player, IMO, at his best. Possibly a higher ceiling depending on how his offensive game.

Top 2 prospect. Ayton and Bamba should go #1 and 2 respectively.

If that three he is stroking is not an aberration, then yea. Bagley Ayton and Doncic are real too. Love that we will be getting one of them if we want.

I think Ayton and Bamba are in a tier of their own, and then Bagley, Doncic and Carter.

I hear what you're saying about their potential, but I don't think centers of their type are very useful in today's NBA. Most of the value centers bring is because of their defense (agility + strength + instincts) and offense created from the work of a guard or a wing.

[Capn'O]

This guy is so polarizing. I would actually consider taking him over Ayton since we know he goes at it on the defensive side of the ball and his offensive potential as a spacer is also so high. I understand the complete bust factor as well but, you know, YOLO.

[scrabbarista]

People have massively underrated Bamba. ELITE prospect. Top 2 in this draft class. The only one that I might get behind someone drafting over him is Ayton.

I agree on Bamba, but not Ayton. The highest I would take Ayton is 4th, whereas I have Bamba 3rd and am still considering putting him as high as #1.

[scrabbarista]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/5/10/17337970/mo-bamba-nba-draft-lottery

Highlights, from a Draft perspective, include a video of him shooting three fadeaways, and another video of him nailing more three-pointers from the top of the key off of passes from Drew Hanlen. At a glance, his shot looks even more fluid than in the video posted on the previous page of this thread, so I assume this vid is from a more recent time than that one.

I also found this quote from his current PT, Amoila Cesar, to be telling: “He’s in a better place to start than most of my guys in terms of mobility,” Cesar said. “A lot of guys we have to focus on how they move, but he’s already there. We’re just trying to build him up and get him strong enough to take that NBA impact and pounding."

I have Bamba 3rd overall and in my top tier at the moment, along with Bagley and Doncic. I'm going to wait until the lottery to make my final rankings, but those three guys are in a group. I wouldn't touch Ayton if I had a Top 3 pick, unless it was to turn around and trade him.

Lowlights would be when he sounds like Dwight Howard saying that smiling on the court is supposed to be evidence that he loves basketball.

[saintEscaton]

Bamba is a great consolation prize for anyone missing out on the crown jewels of this draft.

[clyde21]

Bamba is a great consolation prize for anyone missing out on the crown jewels of this draft.

Bamba is a crown jewel in this draft. One of the three elite prospects.

[saintEscaton]

Bamba is a great consolation prize for anyone missing out on the crown jewels of this draft.

Bamba is a crown jewel in this draft. One of the three elite prospects.

I agree. But I think he is a cut above everyone else in the second tier but just falls short of the first

[God Squad]

Bamba is a great consolation prize for anyone missing out on the crown jewels of this draft.

Bamba is a crown jewel in this draft. One of the three elite prospects.

I agree. But I think he is a cut above everyone else in the second tier but just falls short of the first

Who do you have first tier?

[saintEscaton]

Bamba is a crown jewel in this draft. One of the three elite prospects.

I agree. But I think he is a cut above everyone else in the second tier but just falls short of the first

Who do you have first tier?

Doncic decisively #1 followed by Ayton but I get the argument for Bamba over the latter given Ayton's lack of motor/intangibles

[doordoor123]

I’ve been so up and down on Bamba and that means he’s going to be better than we think. I was the same with Markkanen last year. Markkanen had elite elite shooting, like there was never ever a guy his size that can shoot the way he was able to, by running around on the wings. Everyone including myself also questioned his body and what position he might play. With Bamba it’s the same thing, he has this elite length and defense, and like Markkanen, he’s sneaky athletic. And Bamba has the same body issues. In the end I think he ends up being really good. And if he gets past 3 teams will be asking why they didn’t take him.

I was watching Gobert in the playoffs, watching intently and then I went back to watch Bamba. This guy could be better than Gobert on both ends of the floor. Gobert is a little more fluid, but Bamba has a softer touch around the basket. I also think Bamba is better at attacking the rim in the paint. On top of that, I’ve listened to him talk more and I’ve become a fan of his personality. He’s smart, he really wants to be good and I think it was apparent when he improved during his college season.

It’ll take some time for him reach his potential, but IMO he’s still worth taking at 3 overall. This kind of prospect is really rare, one that has this length, athleticism and a solid developing jumper. He’s a smart kid too.


Doncic and Ayton are still clearly over him and unless he improves by leaps and bounds, he shouldn’t go ahead of either one.

You also see what Gobert has done to the Jazz franchise. You want a franchise-changer? Gobert by himself adds so much to his team, just by being huge and a big defender. Imagine what someone like that could do if they could shoot.

[GimmeDat]

Bamba actually seems to be more divisive than most. I've seen a lot of mocks where he's falling close to 10 due to the archetype of player he is, but I see a lot of people here talking about him really highly as well.

I think he'll be great at his projected archetype, the question is how valuable is that archetype these days.

[High 5]

I definitely wouldn't be mad about pairing him with John Collins.

[doordoor123]

Bamba actually seems to be more divisive than most. I've seen a lot of mocks where he's falling close to 10 due to the archetype of player he is, but I see a lot of people here talking about him really highly as well.

I think he'll be great at his projected archetype, the question is how valuable is that archetype these days.

Look at what both Capela and Gobert do. They take average defensive teams and make them elite. They make teams gameplan for them. If either player is on the right or left post, it pushes the entire offense to the other side just so the players driving can avoid them. They shrink the floor for the other defenders on their team and make the wing defenders better than they are. They force the other team to rely on their jumpers.

[916fan]

Bamba actually seems to be more divisive than most. I've seen a lot of mocks where he's falling close to 10 due to the archetype of player he is, but I see a lot of people here talking about him really highly as well.

I think he'll be great at his projected archetype, the question is how valuable is that archetype these days.

Look at what both Capela and Gobert do. They take average defensive teams and make them elite. They make teams gameplan for them. If either player is on the right or left post, it pushes the entire offense to the other side just so the players driving can avoid them. They shrink the floor for the other defenders on their team and make the wing defenders better than they are. They force the other team to rely on their jumpers.

You don't build around guys like Capela and Gobert. In reality, they should be your 3rd, maybe 4th best players on a contending team. So if people want to pick them as high as 5, then you have to see whether or not all of those teams already have at least their #1 and #2 players. If not, I don't see the justification in picking Bamba that high.

If you can get a potential franchise player, #1, or #2 scoring option in the top 5, then you need to take them over Bamba.

[GimmeDat]

Bamba actually seems to be more divisive than most. I've seen a lot of mocks where he's falling close to 10 due to the archetype of player he is, but I see a lot of people here talking about him really highly as well.

I think he'll be great at his projected archetype, the question is how valuable is that archetype these days.

Look at what both Capela and Gobert do. They take average defensive teams and make them elite. They make teams gameplan for them. If either player is on the right or left post, it pushes the entire offense to the other side just so the players driving can avoid them. They shrink the floor for the other defenders on their team and make the wing defenders better than they are. They force the other team to rely on their jumpers.

I agree, I think it's super important. A guy like Bamba isn't just a 'defensive big', he's a defensive game-changer, potential wise, anyway.

The Bulls board is basically split 50/50 on Bamba/MPJ, I'm on the former, unless MPJ really shows out in the pre-draft process.

[bootsythornton]

what's his offensive upside? could he have some perimeter and ball handling skills? Almost like Giannis at the centre position

[PhilBlackson]

Bamba actually seems to be more divisive than most. I've seen a lot of mocks where he's falling close to 10 due to the archetype of player he is, but I see a lot of people here talking about him really highly as well.

I think he'll be great at his projected archetype, the question is how valuable is that archetype these days.

Look at what both Capela and Gobert do. They take average defensive teams and make them elite. They make teams gameplan for them. If either player is on the right or left post, it pushes the entire offense to the other side just so the players driving can avoid them. They shrink the floor for the other defenders on their team and make the wing defenders better than they are. They force the other team to rely on their jumpers.

I agree, I think it's super important. A guy like Bamba isn't just a 'defensive big', he's a defensive game-changer, potential wise, anyway.

The Bulls board is basically split 50/50 on Bamba/MPJ, I'm on the former, unless MPJ really shows out in the pre-draft process.

A definitively healthy MP Jr I'd take over Bamba just because I think considering his skill level his floor would be lower but with how terribly shaky he looked in his college return...unless his medicals not only check out but he completely shows out at the combine I'd just go with Bamba n call it a night.

At bare minimum you know you have a rim protector n huge lob threat which should also help spacing n help defense for Lauri. A healthy MP Jr could be a deadly combo with LM but can't waste a season tanking especially in a very good top 8 like this only to end up with a player who can't remain healthy n MB arguably has even more upside anyways.

[GimmeDat]

Look at what both Capela and Gobert do. They take average defensive teams and make them elite. They make teams gameplan for them. If either player is on the right or left post, it pushes the entire offense to the other side just so the players driving can avoid them. They shrink the floor for the other defenders on their team and make the wing defenders better than they are. They force the other team to rely on their jumpers.

I agree, I think it's super important. A guy like Bamba isn't just a 'defensive big', he's a defensive game-changer, potential wise, anyway.

The Bulls board is basically split 50/50 on Bamba/MPJ, I'm on the former, unless MPJ really shows out in the pre-draft process.

A definitively healthy MP Jr I'd take over Bamba just because I think considering his skill level his floor would be lower but with how terribly shaky he looked in his college return...unless his medicals not only check out but he completely shows out at the combine I'd just go with Bamba n call it a night.

At bare minimum you know you have a rim protector n huge lob threat which should also help spacing n help defense for Lauri. A healthy MP Jr could be a deadly combo with LM but can't waste a season tanking especially in a very good top 8 like this only to end up with a player who can't remain healthy n MB arguably has even more upside anyways.

There's just too many unknowns given what what we know right now for me to take MPJ over him.

Is MPJ healthy? Will he stay healthy? Will he be the exact same as before the injury? Is what we thought he was in HS for real? Can be work at SF and can he turn in to a serviceable defender?

If the Bulls are confident on those question marks, then sure, we'll probably be getting a steal. But all uncertainties considered, I'd be very happy with Bamba. Gives you such a fail-safe defensively and a good compliment to Markkanen offensively.

The main concern people have is that we don't have a franchise player/scorer and they see MPJ as having the potential to be that, and Bamba not.

I do wonder how much we'll see from Markkanen at the 5 down the road though and whether taking a 5 man with such an important asset to us is the greatest fit. But I am on the Bamba train right now.

[clyde21]

Bamba's size and length is REAL.