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Orlando Magic: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 preseason opener

By Chris Murch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the first quarter of the preseason game at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 01: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during the first quarter of the preseason game at Wells Fargo Center on October 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Mohamed Bamba off to hot start

Bamba couldn’t have asked for a better test than to play against arguably the best center in the league, Joel Embiid, in game one. It was a true test of all the work Bamba has put in this offseason and it was a welcome surprise to see that he came to play.

For the game, Bamba had 12 points, three rebounds and two assists on 4-of-5 shooting including going 2-of-2 from 3. The latter part of that sentence is easily the most shocking. Yes, Bamba has been working on his shot this summer, as evidenced by many Twitter videos from NBA trainer Drew Hanlen and various other YouTube clips, but no one expected him to look so confident shooting the ball in his first game.

His stroke looked drastically improved from his days with the University of Texas. It was fluid and confident. Even on his missed turnaround jumper in the second quarter, he looked comfortable taking it. If he can continue shooting well from outside the paint, watch out.

While Bamba struggled with foul trouble (five fouls in only 17 minutes), he was going against Embiid, who has about 40 pounds on him. Embiid was torching every interior defender the Magic threw at him, but Bamba tried to hold his own.

This mismatch will become less prominent with added weight and experience. Bamba did a good job of trying to front Embiid in the paint and making sure he didn’t have an easy path to the basket. Again, this early test of guarding an All-Star center will only make Mo better for the future and the fact that he did okay against The Process is a good sign.

Another aspect of Bamba’s game that was flashed was his ability to score in the paint. He attacked the rim when he had the ball and had a nice finish over Embiid, as well as a dunk. This part of his game, while it still could improve, is his strongest offensive suit. His back-down post moves looked strong, his hands were steady and his efficiency at the rim was surprising. Adding more back-to-the-basket moves and increasing his confidence on mid-range shots will only help Bamba’s potential skyrocket.

All-in-all, Bamba’s performance Monday night was overwhelmingly positive. If he can keep it up, pushing Vucevic for starters minutes doesn’t seem too farfetched.

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