Why should us Magic fans be excited?
I know there are going to be some disappointed fans after the draft. I myself was one of those people after Dallas moved up to take Doncic and Atlanta moved back to take Young. Those are two guys I wanted, and I know that others did too. Many of us had our minds made up that one of those guys would be in a Magic uniform come today.
After the initial disappointment wore off though, the first thing that I did, as I always do with the young guys we bring in is pour into as much tape/interviews of the kid I could find. Bamba was a guy that I was always high on and always propped up in the draft threads but with so much of my focus on Young/Doncic he was someone I didn't give near the amount of attention to as I should of.
After watching countless hours of film since draft night, there is only one conclusion that I have come to and that's that this kid has all the makings of a superstar. This FO is going to have to make the right moves and put the right players around him to get him there, but there is no question in my mind that he has all the potential to be one.
When you look at the ideal modern 5 in today's NBA, Bamba fits the mold in every single way with his immense defensive potential and ability to stretch the floor on offense.
Offensive potential:
Bamba's skillset/potential offensively is flat out scary. While he is raw and does need to put on size, once he does, he has the potential to truly be unique. One thing that Bamba will provide immediately offensively is pick and roll/pop opportunities and he will be an immediate lob threat. Bamba is currently working with Drew Hanlen who is universally regarded as one of the best personal trainers in the game. He is credited for being a big part in Joel's development. Hanlen has already completely refined his shot and is helping to add to his game offensively. This is only going to continue to add to the incredible flashes he already showed offensively at Texas.
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
Bamba really flashes a bit of everything on the offensive end. Even at Texas before working with Hanlen, he showed a lot of nifty moves in the post. I think his post game has a TON of potential its just going to require him to put on some weight/lower body strength because he will most likely have trouble getting position on the block early on. I can't wait to see Bambas refined shooting stroke during summer league. He flashed legitimate stretch 5 ability and I think he is going to be a threat there, especially with all of the work he is putting in. If he can consistently shoot the 3, he also has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket which will open up a whole new dimension to his game.
One thing to consider as well is that Texas had a very poorly constructed roster. Texas literally won 11 games the year before he got there and there just wasn't nearly enough talent on that roster. I think if we can add an elite playmaker (something he 100% didn't have at Texas) we can make life a lot easier for him, especially early on as I think a big bulk of his offense will come in the form of putbacks, lobs, and PnR opportunities until he gets comfortable and continues to add size.
A few of the flashes of his insane potential on the offensive end
Shows his ability at 7-1 to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket.
Spoiler:
Flashes his insane length
.Spoiler:
Shows his ability to knock down a transition 3. Will be huge for him at the next level.
Spoiler:
Another example.
Spoiler:
He is going to be a great roll man. Lethal lob threat.
Spoiler:
Another example of him finishing in a PNR.
Spoiler:
He is relentless on the offensive boards. He's only going to get better as well as he adds size:
Great rebound and nasty finish.
Spoiler:
Does it again.
Spoiler:
He flashes so much potential in the post. Once he adds size he is going to be dangerous at the next level.
Fantastic spin to gain separation and finishes with the dunk.
Spoiler:
Shows the spin again and finishes.
Spoiler:
Baby hook. Will be crucial for him to have this in his arsenal at the next level.
Spoiler:
Example of that crafty finishing ability I was talking about. Nice touch.
Spoiler:
Defensive Potential:
What else is there to say about this kid defensively? He is everything you could dream of defensively in today's NBA from your center position. I really have only seen a few people that possess the skill and versatility defensively at that size that Bamba does. Anthony Davis is the last person that comes to mind. He completely changes the game on the defensive side of the ball. If he isn't blocking a shot he is making anyone that wants to drive it think twice before they do, solely because of his presence in the paint. His switching ability is as good as you will ever see for a guy his size. I was blown away at some of the switches he made and how well he moves his feet. He is 100% the real deal on that end and pairing him next to Isaac is seriously going to be scary. I can't wait to see it in action during summer league.
Shotblocking (of course) && Switching capabilities:
Completely shuts down a PnR and sends the shot into the 4th row.
Spoiler:
He blocks shots that really nobody else can with how long his wingspan is.
Spoiler:
Another example of how well he moves his feet.
Spoiler:
Literally one of the most impressive switches I've seen from a guy this size. Switches onto a PG and forces a turnover.
Spoiler:
Has a habit of turning defense to offense. Also has potential to be a great rim-runner:
Blocks the shot, runs the floor, and gets rewarded on the other end. Expect to see a lot of this.
Spoiler:
Blocks sextons shot and sprints the floor to finish with a viscous dunk.
Spoiler:
Another example
Spoiler:
Hope For The Future:
Spoiler:
You'll come around 