Five bright spots for the Orlando Magic in the 2022 season

5 bright spots from the Orlando Magic’s season

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The question of which center the Orlando Magic should go with has become has not only become a tougher question but has also revealed a new answer.

To start the season, Wendell Carter was considered to be the better player, with Mo Bamba having the higher ceiling. Thirty-three games into the season, both players have surprised in their ways. But have also shown the ability to play at the same time.

Carter has continued to play his sound style of play and limiting mistakes. But at the same time, Carter has shown his expansion in his offensive game averaging 12.6 points per game on 50.2-percent shooting and 34.5-percent from beyond the arc.

The expansion of his range has expanded the Magic’s offense and has allowed Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner space to be able to create inside the paint.

Bamba’s stats do not surprise anyone, as he has scored 10.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game with 2.2 blocks per game. Everyone figured with more playing time and a more consistent role, Bamba would begin to accumulate numbers.

Instead, Bamba’s growth on the little things across his game has Bamba growing faster than some had anticipated.

Bamba continues to improve on timing and picking his spots to go for blocks and has also improved on his positioning defensively. With the rest of the season coming and another off-season, there is no telling what Bamba’s progression will take him.

Both players still have room to improve, but both players have expanded in unexpected ways. As both players grow, Orlando will find possibilities that will lead to a more diverse team.

The Magic have already made a contract decision on Carter, inking him to a four-year extension. Bamba’s free agency looms and he should become a hot name on the trade market ahead of his restricted free agency. But the Magic have largely been able to count on their two big men to anchor their teams.