Magic center Mohamed Bamba is eager to leave his coronavirus difficulties in the past after having to depart Orlando early due to complications from the virus, Roy Parry of the Orlando Sentinel writes.
Bamba underwent a comprehensive post-coronavirus evaluation after leaving Orlando, with results indicating that he’s on the right track to recovery, Parry notes. He’s since been cleared to return to basketball activities, which includes shooting and running.
“It’s kind of tricky because we’re in the offseason, so I’m not sure what 5-on-5 is going to look like,” Bamba said, recognizing the uncertainty of doing full-contact work. “I’m really eager to hear back from the team what their vision for me is in the near future. We don’t even know when the season is going to start. … I’ll be ready.”
Bamba contracted the virus on June 11 and began experiencing issues related to his conditioning in Orlando. It was later determined that he should leave the campus and undergo additional tests for his safety, with the 22-year-old playing just 10 minutes across two games in the league’s restart.
“Absolutely. Getting all those tests done was probably the most important thing that I’ve done all year, besides vote,” he said. “It was really important. It’s a matter of just making sure that I’m taking care of my body and making sure I’m ruling out anything that could be harmful.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division today:
- In his latest mailbag, Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel ponders whether the Heat should roll with their current roster moving forward. Miami currently owns the best postseason record in the NBA at 7-1, with the team’s Game 5 against Milwaukee coming on Tuesday.
- In his own mailbag, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic examines a number of topics related to the Hawks, including the rising expectations for head coach Lloyd Pierce and what will happen if the team fails to make the playoffs next year. Atlanta is set to sport a core consisting of Trae Young, John Collins, Clint Capela and a number of young players next season, including the No. 6 pick in this year’s NBA draft.
- Magic center Nikola Vucevic earned redemption after a record-setting first-round playoff series against the Bucks, Parry writes in a separate story for the Orlando Sentinel. Vucevic averaged 28 points and 11 rebounds in five games, shooting 51% from the field and 40% from deep — a noticeable improvement from last year’s dismal first-round performance against the Raptors. “He’s been inside and outside,” coach Steve Clifford said of Vucevic. “He’s done it all. He creates so much offense for our team and he puts so much pressure on the defense because of the nature of how he plays.”
I swear 3 of the top young players in the NBA are all named Nikola
Nikola Doncic?
Vuce is what 30?
I can only think of Jokic
Orlando should move Vucevic. Sell high while you can. They should move Gordon too. Be all in on 2021 draft. Get younger and rebuild thru draft. They are not going anyplace. Their SF is hurt Issac, gone next yr. They will open up cap space too from expiring contracts. Fournier, Aminu, Birch all coming off. 2021 draft is deep and they will have young team. That’s what I do. Get young players and picks.
Actually agree with you. Fournier is about have an expiring contract which will be very traceable. Vuce is a all star level centre. Gordon is getting more attention now than ever really.
So if you trade away let’s say these three then without Issac your going to have a bad season and get a top 5 pick. Not to mention Fultz May do well getting more touches and having to score more. I think Bamba is a fun young player who doesn’t get much opportunities he would thrive in this situation too.
Sign Josh Jackson in Free Agency along with Harry Giles and maybe Jabari Parker.
Then do Vucevic and the 15th pick plus a future first for Andrew Wiggins and the 2nd pick
Giving you something like
Fultz Fournier Wiggins Gordon and Wiseman
With Bamba and Issac’s (injured)
I am sure fans in Orlando will be happy to pay very high prices for a team that has traded away all their products and are starting to rebuild. What a joke.
They will be much happier to pay for an expensive lottery team. That’s the real joke. Where do you think this team is going. 2021 draft is very talented and deep. Issac is out. Your way of thinking they should go get CP3 and be an 8th seed to lose in first round. Then be capped out, no lottery picks.