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Orlando Magic center Khem Birch to step in for Mohamed Bamba

By Jean Racine

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 5: Khem Birch #24 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a dunk against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 5, 2019 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 5: Khem Birch #24 of the Orlando Magic goes up for a dunk against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 5, 2019 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The wheel has turned again to Khem Birch. With Mohamed Bamba injured, the Orlando Magic turn to the journeyman center to fill the void. He is always ready.

Mohamed Bamba is long and wiry. Khem Birch is not.

Mohamed Bamba was the No. 6 in the 2018 NBA draft, while Khem Birch was undrafted and clung on to a roster spot with the Orlando Magic last season after playing three years overseas after college at UNLV.

But Birch impressed in his first season in the league. He quickly became a fan favorite with his athleticism and hustle.

He showed he could block shots, catch passes in the low-post and occasionally string together a few post moves. Birch played in 42 games and averaged 4.2 points per game, 4.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in his rookie season.

But, obviously the No. 6 pick in Bamba would get more minutes than Birch this season. Birch would once again be fighting for his opportunity.

But the rookie has had mixed-reviews and has just been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left tibia. Bamba is out indefinitely.

Khem Birch’s time has come to back up All-Star center Nikola Vucevic.

Birch, in his second year in the NBA, has played well when given the opportunity. He is averaging just 2.7 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game in 9.2 minutes per game. That is the biggest thing — he has played sparingly.

But when Bamba was out for four games with foot soreness in early January, Birch stepped up and made a clear impact for the Magic off the bench. He had a season-high four blocks against the Boston Celtics on Jan. 12 in a big win.

He averaged 5.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game during the four-game stretch filling-in for Bamba. If Birch has established one thing in his two-year career with the Magic, it is that he is ready to step in when the team needs him most. Put him in the rotation and he will find a way to make an impact.

In his first game for the Magic since Bamba’s injury on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Birch scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds. The Magic were +6 with Birch on the floor, the best mark for any player and one of three players for the Magic to have a positive plus/minus for the game.

For the season, Orlando has a 101.8 defensive rating with Birch on the floor. Obviously, that has been on a really small sample size.

Few players on the Magic roster have the smarts to cover the pick and roll with the length and timing to block shots consistently. Birch’s biggest issue is consistency and being able to provide much of anything offensively overall.

Still, the Magic know his value. After scoring four points and grabbing six rebounds in Saturday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, players and coaches came out praising Birch’s ability to set screens. That seems like a really simple act, but Birch is truly one of the best screeners on the team.

Birch does a good job holding his ground and getting physical to spring players free. If anything, one of his weaknesses is that teammates are not used to how good his screens are and can sometimes go too quickly to draw him into offensive fouls before he is truly set.

Birch averages 1.9 screen assists per game and 4.3 screen assist points per game. That is again all in his small samples. In the last two games, Birch has 3.5 screen assists per game and 8.5 screen assist points per game. During that five-game stretch he played for Bamba, Birch posted 3.0 screen assists and 7.2 screen assist points per game.

That puts him well with Nikola Vucevic, who does great in the screening category.

Birch has gotten plenty of praise for his play and readiness throughout the season. He is a true grinder and will do all the gritty things.

With Bamba out of the lineup, the Magic have a plenty fine replacement for him who can defend well, protect the lane and protect the rim while working to spring other players free.

What distinguishes Birch from Bamba is his strength and hustle.

Birch’s contributions to a game does not necessarily show up on the box score, but rather in the win or loss column. He is active on both ends on the court and impacts the game in a positive way. His teammates do not have to look to get him involved in the game, he turns it on when he steps onto the court.

Next. Orlando Magic Grades: Oklahoma City Thunder 132, Orlando Magic 122. dark

The Magic have plenty of faith in Birch. He has stayed ready for this moment and seems more than ready to fill in.