Bismack Biyombo elevates his play, but not his team’s defense

The Orlando Magic have gotten some great play from Bismack Biyombo in the last nine games. But the team’s defense is still lagging behind.

Bismack Biyombo had the best offensive game of his career Friday night against the Washington Wizards. He rolled to the basket hard on several occasions and caught the ball for easy dunks and tip ins. He even hit some hook shots and had an offensive game that was a little more diverse.

On the other end, he did what he was signed to do in some ways. He was effective cleaning the glass and grabbing rebounds. He was a presence in the Orlando Magic’s few good moments defensively. His rim protection can indeed make a difference.

It is still those “some ways” that get to him though.

Biyombo poured in a career-high 21 points and added 13 rebounds, seven offensive rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots to boot. It was one of the landmark statistical games in his career. All for a player who does not trade in statistics.

Biyombo’s surprising offensive outburst came because of his hard rolling to the rim and the Magic’s general unselfishness — 32 assists in the game and plaudits from coach Frank Vogel. He was in the right place at the right time and made the right plays.

But it was still a loss. And the losing is what still hurts most.

Biyombo was not in much of a celebratory mood to enjoy his individual performance. He still was not Monday as the team got back to practice.

As much as anyone on the roster, Biyombo talks about doing the little things the team needs to do to win more than anyone else. His experience helping the Toronto Raptors reach the Eastern Conference Finals still fresh in his memory.

In one respect, the past season and a half have been frustrating. But it has also been a challenge. One the Magic are still looking to solve.

"“Is it frustrating? Yes,” Biyombo said. “At the same time, I think it has been a learning process just sitting back and watching and understanding the whole situation.“I’ve embraced challenge throughout my career. This has more to it that you really have to sit back and study the team and study every game. Then at the same time challenge is good because it tests how good you want to improve in order to help the situation. Before I help my teammates, I have to improve.”"

In many ways, Biyombo has shown a lot of his improvements from the offseason now given the chance in the starting lineup.

In the nine games since Nikola Vucevic‘s injury, Biyombo is averaging 10.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. Those are numbers that are in line with what everyone expected from Biyombo when the team signed him. He is still playing only 27.7 minutes per game.

They are in line with his per-36-minute numbers — 10.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. It seems Biyombo is keeping up his production and doing what he can to contribute to the team.

Orlando Magic

Biyombo’s improvement offensively is seen most at the free throw line of all places. He is a career 56.1 percent free throw shooter. But this year, he is hitting on 66.3 percent of his foul shots. Teams are not rewarded as much for fouling him. He still does not require a lot of defensive attention as his offensive game is limited. But he is more of a weapon than he was in last year’s difficult season.

Bismack Biyombo is very different from Nikola Vucevic on both ends. There is a bit of an adjustment to playing with him.

Biyombo’s ability to be a forceful roller is a big weapon. Aaron Gordon said Bismack Biyombo plays above the rim which is a big thing the team needs from its center. It is an added benefit to the team — like how Vucevic’s ability to hit threes is also a big weapon.

"“He’s just a different player than Vuc,” Elfrid Payton said. “He doesn’t stretch the floor as much as Vuc. He is somebody who is rolling hard and getting to the front of the rim. His rim protection gives us a different defensive look as well.”"

The Magic just have to make sure Biyombo makes clean catches and that he finishes strong. He has gotten better on that end, but still has a long way to go. A 21-point outburst was a rare occurrence.

His offensive rebounding is also a big boost too. He attacks the glass and can keep possessions alive.

But while it is clear to see that Biyombo — and several other players — have improved. The results are not coming together. And that has been the same in the nine games since Vucevic’s injury.

Even in the one area that Biyombo was supposed to be a proven benefit — on defense — the team has struggled.

In the last nine games, the Magic have a 119.7 defensive rating with Biyombo on the floor. That is the worst mark of any rotation player on the roster. The Wizards scored 74 points in the paint in Friday’s game and the Magic still give up the most points in the paint per game in the league.

Coach Frank Vogel said he thought Bismack Biyombo challenged a lot of shots at the basket and the Wizards made some tough ones. But overall the team’s defense — from the perimeter to the interior — needed to be better.

Much of Monday’s practice was spent in a “training camp like” setting, working to improve the team’s defensive technique and attention to detail.

"“We don’t keep anyone in front of us,” Vogel said. “We get beat too often on not too difficult moves. Blow by after blow by puts a lot of pressure on your defense. Our perimeter containment has to improve.”"

The Magic’s defense has been a struggle for some time. But this seems to highlight that problem.

In one of the great contradictions on this team, the Magic have a team-best 98.8 defensive rating when Marreese Speights is on the floor in the last nine games. Despite Biyombo’s improved rim protection and blocking potential, the defense has not come with his addition to the lineup.

Biyombo is still trying to make that clear defensive impact and fit in with the starting lineup. Perhaps part of the problem is the fit. Perhaps part of the problem is that poor perimeter defense. Maybe part of the problem is Biyombo too needs to improve still.

Biyombo is clearly trying to fit in and find his chemistry with the starting group.

"“Just being able to help the other guys playing and be in their comfort zone and being me protecting the paint, covering their backs,” Biyombo said. “Having them out there be comfortable.“Yes, we are facing ups and downs. there are games where we are all struggling. It’s a long season. We’ve still got to find a way to stay consistent. At the end of the day, this is a learning process. We’re all growing from it. We’re all getting better every day.”"

He is producing about as well as the Magic could expect. But the raw numbers, like so many other things, are not translating to team success.

That is still the grind the Magic are on, trying to find that breakthrough.

Next: Orlando Magic failed to answer their 2nd quarter questions

Biyombo has played well. But the expected defensive impact has not come yet. And the team is still working to get there.