Orlando Magic turn to “pro’s pro” Khem Birch in managing Mohamed Bamba’s recovery

Mohamed Bamba will not play in both games of back to backs for the time being, turning things over to Orlando Magic’s pro’s pro Khem Birch.

Throughout the preseason, the Orlando Magic had some concern for Mohamed Bamba and his recovery from a stress fracture in his left leg.

Mohamed Bamba was back on the court — he played in Summer League for a game before soreness sidelined him for the rest of the trip to Las Vegas — and he was moving around fine. But some discomfort lingered.

Bamba said it was nothing too serious. He was not experiencing pain in that leg, just after-game soreness. It would usually disappear after a day.

The Magic are taking no chances though. The team’s medical personnel and coaching staff have decided Bamba will not play in both games of a back-to-back for the time being.

Coach Steve Clifford announced Mohamed Bamba will sit out Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks and play Saturday against the Denver Nuggets. Bamba will likely only play in one game of the Orlando Magic’s road back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday at the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks.

That injury management will open the door for Khem Birch to return to the rotation and get his first playing time of the season.

Khem Birch was a critical piece to the team’s playoff run last year, entering the rotation after Bamba suffered his injury. The turnaround seemed immediate as Birch provided a much more solid and consistent defensive understanding.

Clifford said the key to Birch’s play is his solid screening, rolling and even a bit of his playmaking as someone who could initiate offense through dribble hand-offs. Birch did a lot of things that do not show up in a box score but become vital to a team on the move.

So too is having players like Birch ready to play when their number is called.

"“I just feel like there are no excuses,” Birch said after practice Thursday. “I have been doing this for three years now. So it’s routine. I’m always ready. I just love working and I love the game of basketball. Whether I was playing in and out, I’d be ready.”"

Birch’s impact was undeniable.

Last year, the Magic were +3.2 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. The team had its best defensive rating — 102.7 points allowed per 100 possessions — with Birch at center.

Birch’s defensive understanding is a big part of what makes him a valuable player. So too is being ready for moments like this. There is very little fear that he would not be able to step in and play for this moment.

"“That’s just who Khem is,” Jonathan Isaac said after practice Thursday. “He’s just a pro’s pro. No matter if he plays or he doesn’t play, he stays ready. He just cares about the team first and foremost.”"

Birch said the game has slowed down for him. Last year when he entered the rotation was much different than his rookie year in that way. He was able to read things better. He was a better player.

Birch certainly has expanded his game some. It may be interesting to see how those elements interact with his first time on the court for the 2020 season.

During his run with Canada at the FIBA World Cup, Birch showed more ability to work on the ball as a passer and post-up player. He also took 3-pointers too, something he has continued to work on since returning to the Magic.

Birch is a different player, but he is still going to do a lot of the same things as he explores what he can add to his new role.

Birch said he is not about to go too far outside of his role with the team when he steps onto the floor. He is not about to freelance. But if the opportunity is there for him to showcase these skills — especially his 3-point shot — he is going to take it.

"“I learned I have more potential,” Birch said. “I definitely can do more than I can show. I know I can do way more. But also I like playing my role. There are definitely some things I want to add to my game. But I learned I can do a little bit more than I did last year.”"

Clifford said the Magic do not want him popping too often to the 3-point line. One of Birch’s biggest strengths is his ability to roll down the lane toward the basket. If Birch happens to get and shoot a three, do not be surprised, but he will largely stay in that same role as a rolling big.

Birch’s big task this season is to stay ready when the opportunity comes around. It is about him continuing to get better when he gets the chance and staying ready.

"“We’re so fortunate,” Clifford said after practice Thursday. “Khem is such a good player and he keeps himself ready. We all have total confidence he will go and play well.”"

Clifford said Birch’s work is the reason for this confidence. And Birch is always willing to put in the work.

He said he would be open to playing in the G-League to get game reps if there are long stretches where he is not playing. That was something he suggested to the Magic last year before Bamba’s injury.

The Magic know that their depth is a strength. And one of the reasons they feel comfortable managing Bamba this way is because of Birch and the faith and confidence they have in him.

Bamba’s current injury is not something anybody seems worried about. Just a precaution for his recovery.

“I have a bunch of sets of eyes on this injury,” Bamba said after practice Thursday. “But this is all about just being as preventing it as much as possible. We went over all the numbers and everything. They know my body better than I do. It’s just a matter of following exactly what they say.”

Orlando Magic

Bamba said the soreness does not feel like what he felt before the injury was discovered. He said he feels no pain, it is just merely soreness in the area that disappears the day after the game.

Sitting him out is purely precautionary. And Bamba said he will still do high-intensity, low-impact workouts — like the bike — while experiencing this soreness to keep his conditioning up.

Bamba has had a solid return to the court playing off the bench, averaging 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He has not quite returned to the raw production he had last year — his blocks are noticeably down — but the Magic are seemingly happy with the progression he has made as a more solid defender and his reading of the game.

The rest of his game will come. And obviously the Magic know he needs to play to get that experience.

Birch will do more than fill in and he will be ready the next time his number is called too.

“Khem is just a pro,” Bamba said after practice Thursday. “He doesn’t know exactly when his number is called. He had to be ready when it was called. I was just real happy for him.”

It is frustrating to start and stop with Bamba. That is not conducive to growth. But neither is a long-term injury — or a second long-term injury.

For now, the Magic are just thankful they have a solid backup option in Birch that they can have confidence in.