Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

The Six Orlando Magic stars with the most to prove in 2018

By Sam Skubala

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on March 11, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 11: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic dunks against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the game on March 11, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MA – March 31: Bismack Biyombo #11 of the Orlando Magic shoots a lay up against the Boston Celtics on March 31, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Bismack Biyombo

Years Experience: 6
Career Averages: 4.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks

After the Orlando Magic awarded Bismack Biyombo one of 2016’s largest contracts, Biyombo failed to perform last season.

His trademark defense seemingly disappeared and he struggled to play alongside Serge Ibaka and Nikola Vucevic.

Offering little on offense aside from screens, Biyombo’s true value comes on defense. Without a dominant defensive performance, it is hard to justify Biyombo on the floor. While he was still good on that end, he was hardly the game-changer the Magic envisioned.

Ideally, Orlando saw him as someone who could both protect the rim, and defend the pick-and-roll. This was what he did during his impressive stint with the Toronto Raptors.

Yet this all seemingly vanished in 2017. He looked out of sorts on defense. At times, Vucevic even outplayed him on defense.

A lot of Biyombo’s struggles last season may have been down to lineups. His style does not mesh well with either Ibaka or especially Vucevic, whose struggles on defense put a lot of pressure on the 25-year old.

Ahead of the new season, he will look to once again become a strong defensive presence, and in doing so justifying his enormous four-year, $72-million deal he signed last year.