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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 32: Time to begin anew

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 10: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during a pre-season game on October 10, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 9: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic gets introduced into the starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings on March 9, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In a way, I think the Orlando Magic will be more careful with Mohamed Bamba than they were with Jonathan Isaac. Some of that has to do with depth and some of it has to do with what he is able to contribute immediately.

Isaac essentially “redshirted” last year because of an injury. The Magic were more than willing to throw him into the fire and play him from the start of the season. Remember, Jonathan Isaac played nearly 17 minutes his first game and started his second career game with Aaron Gordon out with an early injury. Frank Vogel threw him into the deep end because of injury and he earned that confidence.

Isaac played 19.9 minutes per game before his initial injury. That suggested the plan for him was to bring him along slowly and ramp up his minutes as he got more ready. I suspect the Magic will do the same with Bamba.

Isaac played behind Gordon for much of last year. The team waited to play the two together until later in the season. Injuries to everyone changed a lot of those plans and it became simply about getting Isaac out there.

Bamba comes in with a different situation.

Nikola Vucevic is the established starter and the guy who is clearly the better option. Bamba just has so much to learn that it is tough to throw him out there. And, yes, the Magic are trying to win at least to start the season.

If Bamba stays healthy (something Isaac did not do), it stands to reason the Magic will work to increase his minutes progressively as the season moves on. The idea is to play Bamba but give him a role and minutes he can succeed in.

Certainly, Mohamed Bamba showing he can play alongside Nikola Vucevic might lead to an increase in minutes. He will probably average a bit more than 20 minutes per game when all is said and done. But it will not come at once.

The more Bamba grows and improves, the more minutes he will play. Injuries may press him into duty. But the Magic have consistently said they will not give him more than he can handle and let him develop at his own, steady pace.

If that is a “redshirt” year, so be it. But Bamba will be a key player in the rotation for this team. But probably not a starter until the season is over.