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Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Bismack Biyombo

By David Iwanowski

Nov 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) pleads to a referee about a technical foul called on him during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center. The Wizards won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) pleads to a referee about a technical foul called on him during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards at Amway Center. The Wizards won 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, Cristiano Felicio, Chicago Bulls
Apr 10, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) dunks the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Cristiano Felicio (6) during the second half at the United Center. Chicago defeats Orlando 122- 75. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

2018 Outlook

The outlook for Bismack Biyombo in 2018 depends on the personnel decisions the new general manager makes.

Biyombo has a chance to succeed if he plays significant minutes as a center in a small lineup that can spread the floor and give him room to roll through the paint.

He can set screens, on and off the ball, and there will be a ton of spacing for his teammates to make plays. The further defenses are spread out, the better an advantage he will have on the boards. He will also have more space for lob dunks and fewer guards slapping at the ball when he receives passes.

Defensively, he will be able to play the position he is most comfortable with and primarily sit back and protect the rim. Quicker wings will also make fewer mistakes at the perimeter, and Biyombo will be able to be the back line of defense instead of constantly moving around to fill in gaps left by guys getting blown by.

An encouraging sign is that while the Magic had a -6.8 net rating overall, the potential October 2017 starting lineup of Elfrid Payton–Evan Fournier–Terrence Ross–Aaron Gordon-Bismack Biyombo had a +1.4 net rating.

If the Magic commit to playing a modern NBA style, Biyombo can succeed.

But if they resort to playing big and slow again and trying to fit him and Vucevic together, he will likely struggle to find a rhythm again and the team will probably struggle more.