Orlando Magic Daily
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Orlando Magic’s centers will anchor the team

By Coby Leibowitz

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 09: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 09: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Orlando Magic reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Wendell Carter, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers
Wendell Carter and the Orlando Magic are hoping to improve quickly. But that depends on their draft pick. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Orlando Magic Position Review: Centers

Defense

The Orlando Magic’s centers can get it done on both sides of the floor. This is what makes them so valuable. They can be put in any situation, offense or defense, and thrive to the best of their abilities.

Wendell Carter has insane defensive versatility, and is only improving on that end of the floor. His defensive impact does not really show up on the box score as he only averaged 0.7 blocks per game and 0.6 steals per game, but he still had a huge impact. He locked up some of the league’s premier centers and some of the league’s best players in general.

When being guarded by Wendell Carter, Nikola Jokic shot 33.3 percent, Joel Embiid shot 38.5 percent, Nikola Vucevic shot 37.1 percent and Karl-Anthony Towns shot 40 percent. Carter was got the call on these elite players and more than held his own when he went on the perimeter. The Magic counted on him defensively.

Carter is also a fantastic rebounder. He averaged 10.5 rebounds per game and his athleticism lets him get after the ball very effectively.

Carter had a fantastic defensive year but most would argue he is not the best defending center on the team. Mo Bamba is known for his defensive presence in games.

Bamba is not as athletic as Carter but is long and lengthy with a great defensive IQ. One thing about Bamba’s defense is it does stand out in the box score. He averaged a career-high 1.7 blocks per game which was ninth in the league and he ended with 118 blocks on the season. He even had a game with six blocks this season.

His rim protection is very important because it is exactly where Carter lacks.

Carter is an athletic and versatile defender but not much of a rim protecter. This is why Bamba’s elite rim-protecting skills are perfect as the backup center.

The Magic had a 111.3 defensive rating when Bamba was in the game and they had  a 110.7 rating when he was not on the court, so he had an obvious impact on the defense as a whole.

Opposing players shot 44.2 percent against Bamba and shot 32.6 percent from three against Bamba.

He is another great rebounder. He averaged 8.1 rebounds per game, and 11.3 per 36 minutes. His length makes it easy for him to grab rebounds and limit second chance points for the other teams.

Wagner is not as polished as a defender but he is getting better at it every year. This is just one spot where Bol Bol can make a difference.