Sir Charles in Charge
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2018 NBA Draft: Best team fits for 5 of the top prospects

By Mason McFee

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – DECEMBER 29: Mohamed Bamba #4 reacts with Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns after being fouled while shooting against the Kansas Jayhawks at the Frank Erwin Center on December 29, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – DECEMBER 29: Mohamed Bamba #4 reacts with Dylan Osetkowski #21 of the Texas Longhorns after being fouled while shooting against the Kansas Jayhawks at the Frank Erwin Center on December 29, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

Best Fit #1: Everything’s Bigger in… Florida?

Mo Bamba: Orlando Magic 

NBA Draft pundits need to tap into more of the English language. If I was given the choice of either reading one more mock draft or primer that describes a player as ‘athletic’, ‘long’, or a ‘superb athlete’, or watching videos of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s shooting form when he came to the league, I’m choosing the latter every time. Seriously, there are an estimated 170,000+ words in the English language – use more than the same ten.

With that out of the way, let’s get back to the topic on hand – Mo Bamba.

I was recently asked by a friend of mine about who my favorite prospect of this year’s draft class was, and I responded with, ‘I go back and forth between Ayton and Bamba.’ I’ll touch on Ayton later, but Bamba is the man of the, er, slide? Can we start over?

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According to ESPN.com, Mohamed Bamba is 6-foot-11…. and 225 lbs. While he has a mind-blowing 9-foot-6 standing reach, he’s not the most physically imposing in this year’s pool of big men, but he does have some tantalizing potential; potential that Orlando hasn’t seen since a man by the name of Shaquille O’Neal was roaming the paint for them.

While I generally hate player comparisons, I think they can be used effectively if used to help someone understand say, a prospect’s play style. Bamba is obviously much smaller than Shaq was when he entered the league, but I see flashes of Shaq when I watch Bamba play – an effective rim-runner in transition (when motivated), and a rangy defender. Bamba’s reach alone will help him as he adjusts to the faster-paced NBA. Whoever does land him will have to teach him to be mindful of the positioning of his hands because he struggles with fouls, but he does have a sound defensive stance.

But wait! Shouldn’t Orlando be taking a point guard? They just traded Elfrid Payton and already have Biyombo and Vucevic under contract. While I totally understand that train of thought, allow me to invite you for a ride on the Bamba Bandwagon.

0.9 and 1.5. Those are the career block averages (respectively) for Vooch and Bismack.

49-32, and 2.6. That was the Indiana Pacers’ record back in 2012-13 when they took the Heatles to 7 games, and Roy Hibbert’s BPG average that season. Frank Vogel had his best season as a coach when he had an elite rim protector manning the paint, and I think Bamba offers the best potential to do that. While I can’t say when the Magic’s seemingly perpetual rebuild will end, I will say that I think Bamba can truly be a difference maker for them. Good luck getting in the paint when Jonathan Isaac and Bamba are back there.