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Orlando Magic Mohamed Bamba’s ascendance entirely up to his development

By Spencer R. Henderson

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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The Orlando Magic need to start rebuilding around their first pick in the 2018 NBA Draft sooner than later to get the most out of this season’s potential. 

This year feels different for the Orlando Magic.

The season is officially here as the Orlando Magic opened up Media Day with all eyes of Central Florida on the 7-foot former Texas Longhorn, Mohamed Bamba.

In Mohamed Bamba, the Magic have selected a player in the 2018 NBA Draft that commands media attention. The hope for Magic fans is he will command more attention on the court to allow the other starters to go one on one consistently.

But the Magic have some work to do to build the right roster around him.

Undoubtedly, Orlando still has to move on from some players and will remain active when the trade market heats up. All with an eye on freeing and enhancing their B-I-G lineup of Mohamed Bamba, Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon.

The Magic have to eventually trade away one of the best players on the roster in Nikola Vucevic. And they will have to trade him away for solid pieces to ensure balance on this young NBA roster.

It may be better to trade him for those pieces sooner than later so the Magic can focus on dedicating every second of this season to the B-I-G era in Central Florida and the team’s young core.

Nikola Vucevic’s seemingly inevitable departure not only means the beginning of the B-I-G era, it means the Magic can actually get a couple of good pieces to put around their core players. Vucevic, for all his flaws, should still be able to contribute to a good team in a reserve role. Orlando may not get starter-caliber players in return, but they can add depth when they are ready to hand the keys to Bamba.

That could be at the trade deadline for sure. Or the team could simply let Vucevic walk in free agency. Trading him would obviously net a greater gain for the team, even if they do not get exactly equal value in return.

But first Bamba needs to prove to the organization, coaches and teammates he is a player the Magic can truly build around. The way to do that is to play relentless defense and run the floor with a sense of urgency.

This is what he did at Texas so effectively when he averaged 3.7 blocks per game and the team had a staggering 89.6 defensive rating with him on the floor, according to Sports-Reference.

Defense is undoubtedly Bamba’s ticket to the floor and his ultimate role in the NBA. It is the thing Vucevic has lacked for much of his career.

If Mohamed Bamba can set a new trend for defense and make a name for himself early like what Serge Ibaka did or Dikembe Mutombo did, then he could instantly become a force for the Magic.

Offensively not so much. Fans in Orlando can cancel the notion he is a better offensive option than Vucevic. He will probably never be as skilled as Vucevic but may have a bigger impact as a presence in the paint. Kind of like how Dwight Howard was when he started with the Magic.

If Bamba could become the defender Howard was back during his days wearing Magic blue then the organization will get their money’s worth.

Early on, at least, it looks like the Magic are asking Bamba to do the same things they asked Howard in his early years — run the floor, clean up the offensive glass and focus on his defense. And Bamba at least already has a semi-confident 3-point shot to add to his offensive arsenal.

Bamba’s offensive success will rely heavily on the team’s ability to run the floor, a trait he should be better than Vucevic at since he is only 20. This ability could prove to be the most important factor for the organization to hand him the keys to the car. If he can run the floor and make monster slams on defenders he will instantly grab the eye of Central Florida.

Point guard play will also be crucial to Bamba success.

D.J. Augustin is not the type of point guard that will bring the absolute best out of him but he should be able to showcase his skills on some possessions. He will have problems making plays for Bamba in a half-court set but should be able to get him the ball if the defense can create turnovers like steals and blocks.

Bamba has to be super active to replace Vucevic, and it is unknown if he can play big minutes like other centers because of his slender body type. He will need plenty of help from his team.

The hope is for Aaron Gordon or Jonathan Issac to become an All-Star. The dream is that both of them will become All-Stars.

Even if they do not put up All-Star numbers Bamba needs to be the defensive All-Star for Orlando to completely snatch the job away from Vucevic.

Next. 2019 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Jerian Grant. dark

That time may inevitably come. How quickly Bamba can usher in the B-I-G era is entirely dependent on him and his abilities.