Orlando Magic head coach Steve Clifford has liked what he has seen so far from second-year big man Mo Bamba in training camp.
Clifford says Bamba's “purpose of play has been greatly improved.”
(1/2) Steve Clifford was asked today how second-year center Mo Bamba looked in training camp. "I think his purpose of play has been greatly, greatly improved," Clifford answered, referring to Bamba now has a better understanding of how to play in a way that helps the team.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) October 5, 2019
(2/2) Later, Clifford added: "Mo's put a lot into it, and he has a lot better idea of what the NBA is about: ways and how he has to play so that he can play well at both ends of the floor."
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) October 5, 2019
Mo Bamba, who was selected by the Magic with the sixth overall pick in the 2018 Draft, appeared in 47 games during his rookie campaign. He put up 6.2 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 48.1 percent from the field.
The game tends to slow down for players entering their second year in the NBA. Bamba has all the physical tools to be a great defensive center in the league. The youngster just has to get stronger and smarter, two things the Magic are confident Bamba will do.
Orlando is looking to build off its successful 2018-19 campaign. The Magic made the playoffs for the first time since 2012, the final season of the Dwight Howard era.
Although Orlando lost to the Toronto Raptors in the first round in five games, it was still a step in the right direction for a Magic franchise which has been mediocre since Howard was traded in the summer of 2012.
The Magic have a talented frontcourt, headlined by All-Star Nikola Vucevic, high-flyer Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac and Bamba. For the first time in years, Orlando has a bright future.
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