Orlando Magic’s ideal starting lineup
CENTER – Mo Bamba
The center battle has been eye-opening, to say the least, to start the season.
The expectation was for Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter to battle for the center position. But they have shown the surprising ability to play together. And both centers have shown they deserve significant minutes.
Carter has continued to display his consistency while adding a three-point shot and displaying the ability to guard some power forwards. Bamba, on the other hand, has completely exceeded expectations. Bamba has answered the question of whether or not he is consistently playable. And under Jamahl Mosley, Mo Bamba has done a complete 180 and has forced the question of which center should be the start once the team is healthy.
The team made the financial investment in Carter and likely will want him somewhere in the starting lineup unless Bamba completely outplays him. Bamba has a higher upside still despite the false starts to his career so far.
Both Wendell Carter and Mo Bamba have shown the ability to scramble defensively, and next to Jonathan Isaac will be a very dangerous duo in the frontcourt. While Bamba has taken a leap in his post defense, Bamba will have to continue to build strength. And next to Isaac, the Magic will have the elite shot-blocking ability.
While both centers have shown strong defensive ability, in the early part of the season, the biggest difference is the offensive ability Bamba brings.
The ability to spread the floor will be important to open paint for the Magic’s guard to make plays. At this point of their careers, Bamba is the better shooter as Bamba shoots 38.9-percent from three on 4.5 attempts per game compared to Carter’s 30.8-percent on 3.3 attempts.
There is an argument to be made for either center, and Orlando can go in either direction.
But Bamba provides shooting to a lineup that needs space to be at its best. While Carter provides defensive stability, Bamba has shown improved ability to keep his ground while providing offensive versatility that Carter Jr, has yet to reach in his young career.
The Magic have many combinations they can try when it comes to their starting five. There are many players on this roster that provide unique skill sets.
It creates a discussion of why they should be in the starting lineup. At the end of the day, the best combination will be which of the skill sets best fit together, and it will be up to Mosley to figure out what that unit will be.