Post by Admin on Aug 29, 2021 14:13:23 GMT -5
Southeast Notes: Bamba, Anthony, Haslem, Love
by Eli Cohen
The Magic are coming to something of a crossroads with Mohamed Bamba, writes Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
The former number six overall pick has only started six games in three years, with five of them coming in the final 24 games of last season, after the Magic traded the team’s long-standing linchpin, Nikola Vucevic, to the Bulls. Of course, those starts only came when Wendell Carter Jr., who came back from Chicago in the deal, wasn’t playing.
With Bamba entering the final year of his rookie contract, Robbins talks to NBA scouts about the future for the big man.”Talent-wise, he has a ceiling that he could be really good if he’s locked-in,” one scout said. “He has a chance, but I don’t know if his motor will let him get there.”
Robbins quotes his 91st-percentile for percentage of opposing teams’ shots blocked when looking at his strengths, as well as his burgeoning jump shot, but scouts worry that his tools are far ahead of his defensive instincts and reactivity. One scout says that in the end, Orlando may be better served to let another team try to develop him once his rookie deal expires, but Robbins adds that a new coach and system could be huge for his development, and that the team still seems at least relatively committed to him.
We have more news from around the Southeast Division:
* In a similar piece from earlier this month, Robbins talked to scouts about Cole Anthony, who, like Bamba, faces a similar uncertainty given the Magic’s depth at the point guard spot. The scouts came away more impressed with his ability to get into the paint and play with physicality than expected, especially on the offensive glass, but almost unanimously came away saying his lack of vision as a playmaker and his limitations defensively will probably keep him from becoming a starting point guard for a good team.
* In a similar piece from earlier this month, Robbins talked to scouts about Cole Anthony, who, like Bamba, faces a similar uncertainty given the Magic’s depth at the point guard spot. The scouts came away more impressed with his ability to get into the paint and play with physicality than expected, especially on the offensive glass, but almost unanimously came away saying his lack of vision as a playmaker and his limitations defensively will probably keep him from becoming a starting point guard for a good team.
* Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel believes that it’s possible we see a mid-season send off for lifelong Heat veteran Udonis Haslem, he writes in a recent mailbag. He also says Haslem may have been biding his time and waiting for the perfect moment to get his big farewell.
* In a separate piece, Winderman calls Kevin Love‘s recently reported disinterest in a buyout “pure postering,” while saying that the Heat would likely be interested, especially with a bit of a hole at the power forward position, but he’s unsure if Miami currently holds the “contender” status in the eyes of players that could woo Love over a team like the Lakers or Warriors.