Bismack Biyombo hopes to recapture the Magic in Orlando
Bismack Biyombo has always been a player full of promise. He made good on it in the Playoffs and the Orlando Magic hope he will do more of that this year.
The last time Bismack Biyombo was a free agent, there was not much noise about his availability. The hype from Biyombo’s impressive showing at the Nike World Hoops Summit before the 2011 Draft propelled the raw shot-blocking forward/center into the NBA Draft Lottery.
Biyombo was raw, but there was something clearly in him. Something that always enamors scouts — size and length at center. He had a natural ability to block shots and change things at the rim. If he could stay on the floor, that is.
His first four seasons in Charlotte were a mixed bag. He never quite lived up to his rookie contract, averaging 4.4 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game and 1.6 blocks per game. He never could find consistent playing time.
As he entered free agency, Biyombo could easily be seen as down. There was no market for him and he signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Toronto Raptors, with a player option on the final year. This was his tryout to stay in the NBA.
As he walked into the Amway Center media room in early July, dressed to the nines in a new suit as Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan and coach Frank Vogel flanked him, Biyombo had his head held high. The bet he had to make on himself last summer had paid off handsomely.
Biyombo was the guy the Magic went after this summer, giving him a four-year, $68-million deal that reportedly could rise to $72 million with incentives. They made a healthy investment in this still somewhat unproven player — he averaged only 6.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game during his stellar playoff run.
Like the way Biyombo transformed his play last year with more consistent time, the Magic are hoping Biyombo can help transform the team.
“As we entered free agency, we had a lot of needs we felt like we needed to address,” Hennigan said. “We wanted to improve our depth, and our toughness and athleticism along the interior. And we wanted to continue to do so with character. Bismack Biyombo fits all those things to a tee.
“As we watched Biz and studied Biz, he plays with an infectious winning spirit and a competitive spirit. And that is something we value a great deal and always value. He plays for the team. He has an incredible sense of team too. All those factors and the type of human being he is, we just think he is a tremendous fit for us all the way around and help push our team forward for many years to come.”
Frank Vogel said Elfrid Payton and Aaron Gordon were among the Magic contingent that met with Biyombo on July 1. He was always a primary target — even after acquiring Serge Ibaka on Draft night.
The Magic see Biyombo as part of a major shift for them as a team. Orlando has gone out specifically to acquire rim protection and bolster their defense. As Vogel said, the Magic can now guarantee they will have at least one elite rim protector on the floor at all times — regardless of whether Biyombo starts or not, a debate better left to other posts.
The idea is that defense can deliver the Magic to a Playoff berth and beyond. Biyombo can be a big part of that. And like the Magic had hoped, their vision for winning — plus potential opportunity — attracted their man to Orlando.
Biyombo said he is ready for the challenge.
“I take fun with the challenge,” Biyombo said. “I enjoy the challenge. I’m going to put everything I can on the table to make sure when you turn on your TV, by the time you turn the TV off, you are going to start thinking different about me. We were able to accomplish great things in the playoffs. It is not just about me. All the credit goes to my teammates and my coaches. Without them, I would not be in that position. The organization placed me in a position to excel.”
Biyombo said he heard the worries about his play when Jonas Valanciunas went down in the Playoffs this past year. Biyombo’s agent, B.J. Armstrong, was talking to him after that announcement, Biyombo said. And he was not worried.
And he clearly performed — he averaged 8.2 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game and 2.1 blocks per game in 33.1 minutes per game in 10 games to close the series starting with Game Four of the Raptors-Heat second-round series.
The question, and the risk, is whether Biyombo can maintain that production and make his $17 million per year salary worth it. He bet on himself and cashed in.
Money though is not a guarantee he will play that way again. And while that is in the bank, determining what he is truly made of will come with how he plays in the upcoming season.
Biyombo is going to have to recapture the magic of those Playoffs days. He will have to match his production and effort to make good on the investment the Magic made.
Similarly though, Biyombo’s goal is to help the Magic recapture their magic. Biyombo was preparing to enter the NBA when Orlando was at its height. He saw the ups and downs in Charlotte with the Bobcats and Hornets. He was part of the Raptors’ run to franchise history.
His goal is to do what he can to improve the Magic and make the most of this make-or-break year.
“It was great to be int he playoff with Toronto and get to hear all the fans screaming and all that excitement,” Biyombo said. “That is what I’m looking forward to here. Of course, we’re going to have some ups and downs. That is just part of the season. But we’ll find a way to establish ourselves and be able to go back to it. I’ve heard a lot of great things about the fans here. I just look forward to going back tot he playoffs and bring the excitement back so I can walk down the streets and hear about us going to the Playoffs and doing great.”
Next: 2016 Orlando Magic: A forgettable season of questionable progress
This basic desire is there from both Biyombo and the Magic. The team believes Biyombo will be able to recreate that magic from the Playoffs and make good on the promise he has shown throughout his short career so far.