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2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Mohamed Bamba

By Patrick Flynn

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Mo Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot on August 12, 2018 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, New York. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns plays defense against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

Thinking B-I-G

By Philip Rossman-Reich

It has only been mentioned a few times already that Mohamed Bamba has a NBA Draft Combine record 7-foot-10 wingspan. That is a physical trait that has come to define Bamba in some ways that are fair and unfair.

Of course, the Magic have made length something of a priority on their team. President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman joked on draft night, “Long night, long players.” Everyone seems in on the joke.

It is obvious the Magic envision a team that is versatile and lengthy. That length was on full display during Summer League when Bamba helped anchor a team that not only was strong on the perimeter but made even escape tough. Length helps cover up for mistakes and helps with recovery too.

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The potential was tantalizing at Summer League as Mohamed Bamba and Jonathan Isaac seemed to lock down the paint.

But a team of length is not enough alone. Physical attributes are not enough to build an entire team around. Let alone a winning one. At a certain point, the physical attributes have to turn into actual skill.

Bamba has seemingly put in the work to turn his immense physical attributes into a real skill. His shot blocking is already seemingly at an elite level. It would be hard not to block a lot of shots with his 7-foot-10 wingspan (there it is again).

But the real question is whether Bamba can indeed put the muscle on his frame to hang with NBA centers and compete with them on a nightly basis. That is one of the big tasks left for him this offseason as he prepares for his rookie year. There is also the matter of growing his offensive game and developing the shot. Shooting in an empty gym is very different from doing so in the midst of a game.

Bamba is seemingly boundless potential — like the other players comprising the B-I-G lineups that have Magic fans salivating these days. But that boundless potential has to find a defined skill.

This may not be the year to fully define his skills. But it will go a long way to setting the course for his future.