Orlando Magic: 5 takeaways from 2018 NBA Summer League

5. Mohamed Bamba and Jonathan Isaac need to be on the floor at the same time

It was so fun watching Mohamed Bamba and Jonathan Isaac play together. Watching these two players, with a combined wingspan of almost 15 feet, lock down the paint against opposing teams was enthralling. I honestly don’t think this type of length has ever been seen on an NBA court before, and when you add guys like Aaron Gordon on the floor, it’s going to be hard for teams to score in the paint.

This incredible length was most evident in a singular moment in Las Vegas against the Memphis Grizzlies. Another top-five pick in Jaren Jackson Jr. entered the paint and attempted a lob pass to a teammate underneath.

This pass was thwarted by BOTH Isaac and Bamba, who got hands on it and sent it flying. Having that type of length and energy on the floor at the same time moving forward makes for fun basketball and stellar defense.

For the Summer League, Bamba averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in only 19.7 minutes per game. You stretch those numbers out to starter’s minutes and you have a near 15 and 10 guy who will wreak havoc for opposing centers and forwards trying to get a shot up.

Along with great defense, Bamba showed he could put the ball in the hole too. He knocked down a pair of 3s, finished well in the lane and had a number of dunks that elicited some oohs and aahs from the Vegas crowd. His potential moving forward is scary.

Isaac’s numbers looked strong as well. In his three games played, Isaac averaged 14.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 27.3 minutes per game. The biggest question for Orlando coming into Summer League was how much Isaac had improved since his injury plagued 2017-18 season. Was he also 100 percent healthy? Isaac answered those questions by showing flashes offensively and playing lockdown defense.

Isaac showed multiple ways in which he improved offensively. He added a solid turnaround jumper to his game, his pull-up looked strong and his energy and defense allowed for some open dunks and finishing in the lane. It was a very promising start for the second-year player out of Florida State.

I predict seeing a lot of Bamba and Isaac together this year if they’re both healthy. Having them on the floor together brings excitement to a team that desperately needs it and allows for the paint to be a no-fly zone for a lot of teams. Exciting times are ahead for the future frontcourt of Orlando.