The Orlando Magic wrapped up the 2017-18 regular season with a 25-57 overall record, which was good for a No. 14 ranking in the Eastern Conference standings. This season, however, the scene is a bit different, as the Magic have drafted a talented rookie in Mo Bamba to man the frontcourt. With Nikola Vucevic already in place at center, new Magic head coach Steve Clifford recently took part in a Q&A interview to discuss how he hopes to utilize the two players.
ORLANDO MAGIC: Let’s shift to your thoughts on some of your players and positions. I know you have said that player rotations and playing time will be decided in practice and games, but what are your initial thoughts on how you will balance the center spot with Nikola Vucevic and Mohamed Bamba?
STEVE CLIFFORD: “One of the things that I’m hopeful of – and I don’t know if it will be this way from Day 1 – but that we will have a package of offense set to put in where they can play together some, too. I think so much of that will be dependent on whether they can play together, which I think they can. Also, it will be about how quickly Mo develops. My thinking on younger players is that you put them into roles where they can play well and that starts with minutes. Give them a role to start where they can have success and then go from there. A lot of that will play out as we get started with camp.”
The Magic selected Bamba with the No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft. The 7-footer got his first taste of the NBA in Summer League, where he racked up averages of 8.7 points on 60 percent shooting form the field, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks 19.7 minutes per outing.
ORLANDO MAGIC: You’ve gotten to see Mo Bamba play in Summer League and in some of the pre-camp workouts. How much of a load will he be ready for early in the season and how much of a chance to does have to be special in this league?
STEVE CLIFFORD: “I certainly wouldn’t put any limits on who he can become, but I just hope that right now people are fair with him. He’s younger and physically he’s still developing. He’s worked hard this summer and since summer league he’s come in here every day and he’s gotten a lot stronger. He’s so easy to deal with and I’m so excited about working with him going forward.”
Orlando's training camp is set to kick off next Tuesday at the Amway Center. Whether or not Clifford will decide to play Bamba and Vucevic together remains to be seen, but there is no doubt he's excited for the team's potential.
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