Bismack Biyombo: Orlando Magic needed some more fighters

Bismack Biyombo is preparing for Saturday’s NBA Africa Game, but has watched the Orlando Magic’s moves. He said he likes the team added some fighters.

Bismack Biyombo came to the Orlando Magic last summer buzzing off the high of the Toronto Raptors’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals and his big role in that trip. Biyombo stepped in for the injured Jonas Valanciunas to average 8.2 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Biyombo stepped his game up. It was a big reason why the Magic handed him a four-year, $70 million contract last summer. Whether that was the right decision is a debate for another day.

Throughout the season, Biyombo was the one trumpeting what it takes to win and professing a desire to win. As much as anyone, Biyombo took last season’s frustrating season hard.

He kept his head on him and did his best. Again, whether he was a net positive for the Magic or not is a matter for fans to continue debating.

Undoubtedly, Biyombo remains an important player for the Magic this year. And as one of the key returning players, he had an eye on the Magic’s offseason.

The team hired Jeff Weltman as president of basketball operations. Weltman was previously with the Raptors when Biyombo was there and part of the management group that signed him there, to begin with.

Orlando also acquired some key veteran free agents like Jonathon Simmons, Arron Afflalo and Marreese Speights that seem to point to a team that is still looking to compete this year. Although maybe not with the same fervor and reckless abandon they did last year.

Biyombo has been away from Orlando for much of the summer. But he told Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel during a teleconference before Saturday’s NBA Africa Game, he liked the additions the team made. Specifically, he believed the team needed more “fighters” and that they got them in free agency.

"“I’ve known Jeff for a little while now, and obviously I’ve had a chance to talk to him and kind of [am] understanding the mindset of the way they want to shift this whole organization and program,” Biyombo said.“But at the end of the day, the moves they make, I think, was needed for us. We need some more fighters and people that really understand, and care about, winning. And I think they did that. You’ve got to build a winning culture, and we have got to continue to improve. And I’m sure all of the players at the end of the season were disappointed, but you take that in the summertime to improve and prepare yourself for the season.”"

The Magic certainly struggled in a lot of areas last year. It is unclear exactly what Biyombo’s comments refer to. But certainly, Orlando struggled some fighting when things got tough. The team’s regular 30-point losses showed a team that got punched and could not get themselves back together.

It is hard to pinpoint exactly what it is or who to blame. The team just did not fit together and never really came together to fight for each other. It was among the many miscalculations the team made last year.

Biyombo went on to say no matter what, the Magic next year have to come together quickly to find success.

Biyombo will have to do that himself. He averaged just 6.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in 22.0 minutes per game. That was slightly worse than his production with the Raptors the year before in a similar role. Of course, everyone believed Biyombo should have a larger role considering his heftier contract.

On top of all this, Biyombo’s defensive win shares dropped to 2.1 from 3.1 the year before and his defensive box plus-minus fell to +2.0, his worst since his second season.

As much as any of the Magic’s veterans, the Magic need Biyombo to bounce back this year.

Those concerns await Biyombo once training camp begins. This summer, like he does every summer, Biyombo is giving back to the Democratic Republic of Congo, his home country.

Biyombo is playing in Saturday’s NBA Africa Game in Johannesburg, South Africa. The game airs on ESPN at 11 p.m. ET.

Biyombo participated in the league’s Basketball without Borders program in South Africa, but also did work in his home country in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through his foundation, he recently completed building a school in Doma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

"“It means the world to me,” Biyombo told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com of the project during a teleconference with reporters Thursday. “When I started this program back home, I never thought it would grow nationally and to the point where I could build this school for kids. At the end of the day, it’s just about transforming the next generation and making sure that these kids are well-educated.“In general, there is just so much that can be done for these kids. I feel like we’ve done well, but we’re going to continue. The appreciation from these kids, it means the world to me because I never thought I’d be in this position.”"

In addition to working to build basketball courts and schools in his native country, he also funds a scholarship for students from the Democratic Republic of Congo to attend school in the United States.

Biyombo is front and center among the many luminaries and basketball stars — including Serge Ibaka, Victor Oladipo and Dirk Nowitzki — playing in Saturday’s game.

This is the second ever NBA exhibition game played in Africa. And it is a great opportunity for the league to bring some of its stars to fans in South Africa at least, in addition to the Basketball without Borders program. Biyombo has long given back to his home country.

Next: Orlando Magic are due for unpredictable 2018 season

Soon, he will be returning to the United States and putting the focus back on his team. It seems he, like everyone else, is optimistic about the moves the Magic made this summer.