Mohamed Bamba

[PhilBlackson]

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.

Yeah if I were in your shoes I'd honestly feel the same way.

Because I totally understand the other side's opinion of wanting a true #1 option but Porter looked insanely shaky to me. I was legitimately stunned by how weak his legs/lower body looked, I felt like I was holding my breathe that he wasn't going to re-injure himself because his lower body looked THAT frail. That was just a huge red flag n I was one of those people saying I'd still take him top 3 if he didn't play at all as a freshman but he just looked imo like a trainwreck waiting to happen. It would take some really extensive testing from your franchise's docs to convince me otherwise because one way or the other your team will improve to the point it won't really be in position for a top 6 pick again imo as Lauri further develops n you can't just come out of the draft empty handed...

Plus it's not like Bamba doesn't have VERY good upside himself. He's shown some really good flashes of some offensive touch. Now it wasn't the Hakeem like flashes like Embiid showed glimpses of in college but still he showed something n in the workouts I've seen he looks incredibly intriguing. On the low end like you said you have an elite rim protector (look how that's working out for HOU and Utah) n the upside what if you guys get a player maybe not quite another "Embiid" but still an elite C?! No one would be sweating MP Jr too much even if he did pan out but the floor (because of the health) is just so much higher that I'd rather bank on a player that I think imo would almost guarantee you'll be a 45-50+W team down the line n who knows what else if he reaches his potential vs a guy who could be an "Oden of SFs" then you're stuck in No Man's Land.

I get both sides but again unless the docs are absolutely sure it was just a minor setback n he just totally rushed his return, I'm taking the safer bet that may have way more upside than those people realize in Mo Bamba. It's actually arguable he has more potential than a healthy MP Jr.

[NotACat]

I just don't see what Bamba does that JJJ doesn't do better TBH. JJJ is the prospect IMO because he's so much more agile which allows him to be more effective in playoff games since he can compete better on the perimeter. I really think Bamba is going to struggle against switches on the NBA perimeter or Cs who can handle the ball like Embiid.

[JMac1]

I am starting to believe the top 7 is a crap shoot t, with Doncic being the safest pick. However, anyone one of Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, MPJ, Young and even JJJ (scares me to death) could be the best player.

You don't need luck for the lottery, you need luck with the guy you are choosing. 2017 all over again.

[MemphisX]

I am starting to believe the top 7 is a crap shot, with Doncic being the safest pick. However, anyone one of Ayton, Bagley, Bamba, MPJ, Young and even JJJ (scares me to death) could be the best player.

You don't need luck for the lottery, you need luck with the guy you are choosing. 2017 all over again.

I think you need the best system of development. I feel the same as you. I think most of these players career arc will be determined by what organization drafts them.

[doordoor123]

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.

Well yeah, but he didn’t look great the last time he played. He said he was 70%, but he looked 30%. I’ve heard from a doctor that his surgery could really effect the movement in his back. Like he won’t be able to get as low anymore when handling or on defense. That hurts his upside a lot if that’s the case. IMO he hasn’t shown nearly enough for me to think he’s going to be okay. Maybe we hear some things in workouts and I might move him up, but if he’s healthy I would definitely take him 3. I’m just not confident he can return to form.

[doordoor123]

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.

I think there’s a good chance either Lopez is traded or is benched next year (because they also paid Felicio a ton of money and have to play Portis too) and I think there’s a good chance Portis/Markkanen start. Maybe they trade Portis because they also have Vonleh.

[doordoor123]

I just don't see what Bamba does that JJJ doesn't do better TBH. JJJ is the prospect IMO because he's so much more agile which allows him to be more effective in playoff games since he can compete better on the perimeter. I really think Bamba is going to struggle against switches on the NBA perimeter or Cs who can handle the ball like Embiid.

I actually think Bamba can defend the perimeter. I just think he needs to strengthen parts of his body that would allow himself to do so consistently. I’ve seen him get into a great defensive stance and he kind of reminds me of Brandon Ingram in that sense. He’s so long and when he spreads out like a spider it’s hard to get around him or pass around him. But in general he’ll still have a hard time switching. He’ll be more of a team defender like Gobert.

I really like Jaren Jackson and have him going 4. The only thing is that like I said, Bamba is really rare prospect that you can’t pass up on.

[GimmeDat]

:noway:

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.

I think there’s a good chance either Lopez is traded or is benched next year (because they also paid Felicio a ton of money and have to play Portis too) and I think there’s a good chance Portis/Markkanen start. Maybe they trade Portis because they also have Vonleh.

I like Portis but I'm on board with moving him if the value is there. Reasons being a) He's a 1 position player, and that position belongs with Lauri Markkanen, and b) I think if he is a 6th man sort (due to circumstance) then we're better moving him than paying for him. I want to tie up as little long term salary as possible. If we can find a SF in the coming years that can effectively go to the 4 when we want to go small with Lauri at the 5, then you really need the bare minimum from your actual backup 4 and 5, and won't need to fork big money for quality depth there.

That being said, it seems the Bulls are pretty committed to him, so we'll see. You can start Portis/Markkanen but I don't like the fit long term.

Lopez isn't really in the plans, but whether he's moved, I'm not sure. Felicio is a serviceable backup at best, I'm not sure there's a lot of upside to playing him. Lopez is a quality vet, a solid player and will expire after 2018, if we can't get any positive value for him then I think we let him expire.

Vonleh is an RFA this off-season, if he's super cheap, might as well re-sign him, but if it costs anything beyond the bare minimum I hope we just let him go as well. He's at best serviceable. Ditto Nwaba, though I really love him as a player.

-

If I can indulge in my dream outlook for our roster, it would go something along the lines of -

- Bamba #6, Okobo #22 (could do a number of things with that pick but just an example)

- Trade Portis for value if market is there. Let's say a mid-1st in 2019.

- If you can get any positive value for Grant, Payne, Lopez, Holiday, Kilpatrick, etc., do so, otherwise let them all walk after 2018-19 season (unless someone really breaks out and shows something worth keeping)

- Let Vonleh and Nwaba walk in 2018 O-S unless they will return super cheap

- Roster should be pretty crummy again in 2019, we only won games really when Niko was playing and on fire, you're taking away one of our most productive players in Portis, maybe more if you can move guys like RoLo.

If the roster is -

Dunn / Okobo / Payne
Lavine / Grant / Kilpatrick
Valentine / Zipser
Markkanen /
Bamba / Felicio

I don't think that does any better than this season, if not worse, even though you hope for considerable internal development. I'd gues 4-8 range pick again.

- 2019, target one of the wings in the draft. Whoever is left over out of Little, Barrett, Reddish, Williamson, all might be available in our range, if not, then perhaps we could go all in with future picks, the pick from the Portis deal, etc., to try and move up for one of those top wings. Worst case scenario there's your Doumbouya, Hunter type forwards (just estimating based on what we know of these prospects).

My guess would be out of those guys, maybe Reddish falls to 6th or so (existing motor/passiveness concerns plus being 3rd fiddle to RJ/Zion might drop his stock a bit).

Got that mid-1st from the Portis deal assuming you don't trade it, you could take a combo-forward like Bazley, for example, with it -

Suddenly you might have something like -

Dunn / Okobo
Lavine / Valentine
Barrett /
Markkanen / Bazley
Bamba /

Okobo can back up Dunn, and move up and play the 2. Valentine can move up and play the 3. Bazley can go down and play some minutes at the 3, play some 4 when you want to play small with Lauri at the 5. And then at this point, you have Lavine on hopefully something in the 10-15m range, Felicio at 8m unless you found a way to dump it, and everyone else is on rookie deals. Plenty of room for a max FA and then some.

[clyde21]

A Bamba+Markkanen front court would be just ridiculous.

[King Ken]

Bamba fans will love this:

Read on Twitter

Mo Bamba posted a 3.04 3/4 court sprint



Context: Would have T-1 at Combine, faster than Zhaire Smith & Lonnie Walker



Also faster than:



Russell Westbrook: 3.08

D-Wade: 3.08

Harden: 3.13

John Wall: 3.14

Terry Rozier: 3.15

Kemba: 3.16

Oladipo: 3.25

Gobert: 3.57

[EvanZ]

Udoka Azubuike posted 3.14. Other than being a 3 digit version of pi, pretty meaningless. I would put much more stock into lane agility or shuttle run tbh.

[King Ken]

Udoka Azubuike posted 3.14. Other than being a 3 digit version of pi, pretty meaningless. I would put much more stock into lane agility or shuttle run tbh.

Azubuike can run, he just lacks stamina.

[doordoor123]

Udoka Azubuike posted 3.14. Other than being a 3 digit version of pi, pretty meaningless. I would put much more stock into lane agility or shuttle run tbh.

Azubuike can run, he just lacks stamina.

Same with Bamba

[King Ken]

Udoka Azubuike posted 3.14. Other than being a 3 digit version of pi, pretty meaningless. I would put much more stock into lane agility or shuttle run tbh.

Azubuike can run, he just lacks stamina.

Same with Bamba

Not as much as Udoka. Not even close. Like all prospects, NBA conditioning is a different ballgame but Udoka needs to lose at least 10-15 points.

[CptCrunch]

Bamba doesn't have a 3.04. The numbers are either cooked or inaccurately measured.

[King Ken]

Bamba doesn't have a 3.04. The numbers are either cooked or inaccurately measured.

He looks as fast as Giannis at times when engaged to run the court. His has great torque on his long strides.

[EvanZ]

I'm not really worried about how fast he runs the court, that's fine. Maybe he gets tired whatever. What I don't think you can read into sprint times is how well he moves his feet laterally/how fast he changes direction. And that will be much more important to his success.

What are the odds that they only measured 3/4 sprint? Pretty low. I think that's what they wanted to report from his camp. I bet they measured agility and shuttle run and didn't report those.

[doordoor123]

I'm not really worried about how fast he runs the court, that's fine. Maybe he gets tired whatever. What I don't think you can read into sprint times is how well he moves his feet laterally/how fast he changes direction. And that will be much more important to his success.

What are the odds that they only measured 3/4 sprint? Pretty low. I think that's what they wanted to report from his camp. I bet they measured agility and shuttle run and didn't report those.

He’s slow laterally, but his length and width of his body in defensive stance along with his long strides are enough to stay with a lot of guys. He shadows pretty well on the perimeter for someone his size

[Duke4life831]

I hold a lot of these numbers with a grain of sand. On the court who gets up and down the court faster, Bamba or Wall? Ya I don't need a timer to tell me the answer to that, watch one game and it is obvious. If the times have Bamba being faster, that either means Bamba got a very favorable timing or Wall half assed it.

[Alatan]

This board hates Bamba, hahaha. The guy is a baller and you will all eat crow sooner or later. The thing that bothers me most is that the consensus has deemed him a defense only player while on the other side guys that are defensive sieves like Ayton and Bagley are given a benefit of a doubt that they will somehow learn to play defense. Hypocrisy at its finest.