Magic lottery pick Mohamed Bamba will come off the bench and have his minutes monitored, John Denton of the team’s website reports. Coach Steve Clifford doesn’t feel the 20-year-old 7-footer is ready to jump into the lineup any time soon. “I want him to play 82 (games), and he’s going to be out there and playing quality minutes,” Clifford said. “But he’s just not ready to play starter’s minutes against starting players. (A reserve role) is a big part of how you bring a player along. He’s in a role that’s ideal for him.” The unspecified minutes restriction is designed to have him “playing his best in March and April,” Clifford added.
We have more from the Southeast Division:
- The Magic can be expected to do their due diligence and gauge starting center Nikola Vucevic’s trade value, according to Michael Scotto of The Athletic. Vucevic is in his walk year and will enter unrestricted free agency in July. Vucevic doesn’t fit president Jeff Weltman and GM John Hammond’s desire for length and versatility, Scotto adds.
- Rodney McGruder and Derrick Jones Jr. have been effective as starters during the first two games, which further complicates the long-range plan for the Heat’s rotation, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel notes. With Dion Waiters, James Johnson, Justise Winslow and Wayne Ellington currently sidelined, finding enough playing time for rotation-worthy players hasn’t been an issue, Winderman continues. When those players return, Miami will have 13 players who arguably should be in the rotation, Winderman adds.
- Former WNBA star Chasity Melvin has been named an assistant coach with the Greensboro Swarm, the Hornets’ G League affiliate, according to a Swarm press release. Melvin, who played 12 WNBA seasons, is the first female coach in franchise history. She was hired through the NBA Assistant Coaches Program.
About this time last year someone was telling me about McGruder. I think he will break out this year. McGruder, not the HR poster.
Lol
Dragic, Richardson, Mcgruder, James Johnson, Whiteside
Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow, Wayne Ellington, KO, Wade/Waiters, Bam, Derrick Jones
Waiters doesnt have to rush back from his injury, and Wade doesnt have to have a prominent role every night. He can be the 6th man on certain nights, and slide guys down a spot, and on other nights he can back off on minutes a bit, and then when Waiters comes back, you figure that out. I’d also say the big rotation will likely change based on opponent, and I’d like to see UD play more, especially in certain matchups. Derrick Jones can also take minutes from guys whenever anyone needs a night off for whatever reason, or possibly if they’re ineffective or in foul trouble. In certain matchups, he might slide into Ellington’s or Tyler Johnson’s spot, or before Waiters comes back, if Wade needs any time
Spoelstra needs to have a good year figuring it all out! He has to get Waiters to penetrate like before the injury, though the larger history of Waiters is that he does not.
Wade would be more useful on a different team… he would work wonders in Orlando for instance.
McGruder used to be trash but he’s greatly improved his game