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Orlando Magic: 3 players looking to see their roles increase

By Luke Duffy

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: Jerian Grant #22 and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 4, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 4: Jerian Grant #22 and Mohamed Bamba #5 of the Orlando Magic talk during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 4, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Mohamed Bamba

Yes, center Mohamed Bamba is only a rookie and so early on in his career it is foolish to expect him to come in and be a force right away, even more so when you consider head coach Steve Clifford isn’t known for turning young players loose on the court by having them play lots of minutes.

But Bamba has only averaged 19.3 minutes per game so far this season, and it would be nice to see that number move into the mid-20s soon. This is because he is clearly an influence on the defensive end of the court with his length.

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Although he is averaging 13.3 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per 100 possessions, Bamba hasn’t had the overall influence on that had been hoped for just yet, although that will come and it is still so early in the year.

As it stands, the Magic actually have a better defensive rating overall (109.2) than when Bamba is on the court (110.4). The other side of that argument however, is that Bamba’s rating could only improve in this area, if he was allowed to play more.

Right now all of his minutes don’t come with the starters, and it sometimes looks like he’s struggling to fit in with the players he does share the court with predominantly. Bamba runs the court diligently, but isn’t always rewarded.

Guys like Jonathon Simmons are reluctant to give the ball up to him, while other players like Terrence Ross are much more capable of making something happen offensively. Defensively then, he has holes to plug, but he is too young and inexperienced to handle everything.

Add to that the fact that fellow center Nikola Vucevic has been the Magic’s best player so far and it is no wonder Bamba is spending over half of a game on the bench.

It would be nice to see a bit more of him though, but Clifford will have a tough time fitting him in as he hopes to keep Orlando competitive for as long as possible.

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