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2018-19 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Khem Birch

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Khem Birch #24 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on February 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Khem Birch #24 of the Orlando Magic rebounds the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on February 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Khem Birch, Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic’s Khem Birch dunks against the Chicago Bulls at the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., on Friday Feb. 22, 2019. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images) /

Khem Birch had some consideration to return to Europe as he struggled to get minutes. When opportunity came around, Khem Birch delivered again.

Khem Birch wanted to be in the NBA.

That was made abundantly clear when he decided to sign with the Orlando Magic last summer. He seemingly had little chance to get playing time behind Nikola Vucevic and Bismack Biyombo on the roster. The point was to get to the NBA and give it a chance from there.

He carved out a successful career in Euroleague but wanted more. The chance at making the NBA — with all its amenities and stability — were a big part of the equation.

Khem Birch worked his way into the lineup and had a good run toward the end of the season. Only for him to get left behind again. The team drafted Mohamed Bamba and insisted on playing him as the backup center behind Nikola Vucevic. As they should considering they invested the sixth overall pick in him.

Without an injury, there was no path for him to play yet again. Birch was back to the end of the bench fighting for his place.

For the first time, Birch questioned his place in the NBA. Or at least thought about going elsewhere.

According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, Birch contemplated returning overseas midseason as his playing time opportunity dwindled. Birch was ready to give up on the NBA dream to play again.

Then Mohamed Bamba got hurt. The injury cleared a path for Birch to play again. And he delivered. Just as he delivered last year when he got his opportunity.

Birch does not do anything special — Lowe named him a Luke Walton All-Star for his grinder personality — but he does what he does well. He runs to the rim and sets solid screens. He defends pick and rolls and blocks shots.

The Magic favored their prized rookie over him, knowing they had a veteran grinder able to fill in when the games started to count.

As much as it hurts to say, the Magic probably do not make their playoff run if Bamba stays in the lineup over Birch. His consistency and defensive focus were big parts of the Magic’s run.

He may not return to Orlando with his free agency upcoming, but he certainly earned his place in the NBA once again. He should not have to worry about going back to Europe any time soon.