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Five things to watch from Orlando Magic Summer League

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford stands between draft picks Mo Bamba (5) and Justin Jackson (23) during a news conference at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford stands between draft picks Mo Bamba (5) and Justin Jackson (23) during a news conference at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, June 22, 2018. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Texas Longhorns forward Mohamed Bamba (4) reverse slams the ball against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the NCAA Division I Men’s Championship First Round between the Nevada Wolf Pack on March 16, 2018 and the Texas Longhorns at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Mohamed Bamba’s impact

After Jonathan Isaac, no player will have more eyes on him than Mohamed Bamba.

That is what happens every Summer League. Everyone wants to see how the rookies perform in their first professional exposure. And Bamba will have plenty of chances to shine.

The Magic’s second and third games of the minimum five they will play will come against two of the best post players from the previous draft. The Orlando Magic take on Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday in the team’s second game. Then the Orlando Magic play top overall pick Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns in Monday’s game.

At the very least then, the Magic will know where Bamba stacks up against the other bigs in his class. That could be important and instructive.

But really, the Magic are probably just hoping to throw Bamba out there and see exactly where he is and what he can do. There may not be a way for him to fail. Unless he provides zero impact defensively which seems highly unlikely considering how good he was in college.

The most interesting thing to watch from Bamba this Summer League is just how much his jumper and offensive game have developed.

Throughout his pre-Draft media blitz, Bamba showed off workout film of him shooting jumpers. His form looked a whole lot more improved. And the seemed like he was more comfortable stepping out beyond the 3-point line. No one really knows if that will actually translate to gameplay.

This is his chance to show just how much he has developed.

Orlando is likely to take things slow with Bamba in his rookie year. The Magic are not going to throw him to the fire or rely on him to be the team’s leading scorer.

Defensive anchor? Probably. But not the main cog. Offensive expectations for him? Probably very few at this point — outside of offensive rebounds and putbacks.

The Magic right now just want to see where he is at and make sure he can hold his own as they build him up toward the regular season.