TrueMagicFan07

Wednesday, November 20 at 7:30 P.M. Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, Canada TV: Fox Sports FL 9-4, 2nd in Atlantic Division | 6-7, 2nd in Southeast Division TEAM STATS

Thank you, Fan For Too Long! I mentioned the motivation in another post, but someone else said that he should not have to be motivated. I agree with your entire 1st paragraph, Fan For Too Long, especially the part where a few plays should be designed for Bamba. A player's confidence has to be eroded when you sit there on the bench and watch the starter (Vucevic) given designed plays. And when you (Bamba) go in with the second unit, everybody gets to shoot the ball except you. Let me try to explain it a little better. When the second unit has the ball, there are passes to a few guys and then shot attempts. I have never seen plays designed for Bamba. I know that you are going to criticize how he handles screens and pick and rolls. But not all plays designed for Vuch are screens and pick and rolls. Try some stretch 4 with Bamba or ally oops- -I don't know--try something. Someone suggests Bamba should try diving for loose balls and chasing balls before balls go out of bounds. Are you kidding me? Bamba is 7'1". Although he gained some weight over the summer, he is still this tall (beanstalk) guy with skinny ankles. Sure, Shaq use to dive for balls going out of bounds, but his body build could absorb the impact. Even Vuch has problems handling the ball when it's down around his ankles. Entering Bamba's first year, all the talk about B.I.G being the future of the Magic, Bamba had to be pumped. He played well last season before his injury late in the season.

I know that Birch and Aminu play 2 different positions (Birch center and Aminu sf/pf). My intended comparisons were their contributions on offense and defense.

Thank you, Soul Bro! Edit: Oladipo was also turnover prone. Btw: Oladipo is still out (injury). Not that I would not be happy to have him return to the Magic.

NO-O-O-O!!!

I'll let 4thewin reply to your post. While I love Birch and his energy and athleticism, he doesn't offer much in scoring. He played a big role last season when Bamba was injured, but what I do observe about him is that he is not a good match up against taller centers who are also very good on defense and offense. What I am saying is Birch and Aminu are similar, only Aminu is better offensively. If Birch has to play the same backup minutes as Bamba against very good teams, he won't be a difference maker.

So, 4thewin, if what you described as Bamba's problem, can it be fixed or do you think it's not worth the wait if he does not improve short term?

I think something has caused Bamba's confidence to erode. Everybody's different--some young players may come into the league with a lot of confidence and others might need approval. You have to admit that Fultz had problems coming in (to the Magic), trying to get back to how he played before he was drafted. Magic fans and front office's PR continued to follow him, cheered him on, and let him know that we/they were in his corner and he could do it. Bamba might need that kind of encouragement.

Maybe he needs to visit and train under Hakeem Olajuwon. . .I don't know. . . just a thought. I don't want to give up on Bamba just yet. As some one mentioned, we saw a glimpse of his potential in his rookie (1st year). He hasn't been the same post injury last season. It might be mental.

Amway Center - Orlando, FL Sunday, November 17th at 6:00 P.M. TV: Fox Sports Florida 3-7, 5th in Southeast Division | 5-7, 2nd in Southeast Division WE'VE GOT THIS . . . GO MAGIC!!!

Happy About That. . . 3 In A Row. . .It's Early! As Brian Hill Just Said: "You Can't Take Things For Granted" (meaning the Magic).

The Magic Says:

Wow, I haven't seen the Magic attack the paint like that--by multiple players--EVER!

Why was Cliff yelling at Fournier after Vuch passed him the ball and he (Evan) made a 3 pointer?

On the replay, he rolled his ankle while turning, while following and guarding his man. It was a good effort on MCW's part, just one of those things. It's not like he was out there, or not close to the man he was guarding.

DJ!

AHHHHH!

I love how the Magic has started with energy and running the floor. Hopefully it will continue for 4 quarters.

Amway Center - Orlando, FL Friday, November 15th at 7:00 P.M. TV: Fox Sports Florida 5-6, 3rd in Southwest Division | 4-7, 2nd in Southeast Division

What position does he play?

Me too, LaVar!

Thanks 4thewin. I just read your post and appreciate you getting back to me, giving me insight as to how some of this stuff works.

Thank you LaVar. I'm with you on your comments in bold. I disagreed with 4thewin in another thread that MCW was a bad player on the Magic. He is not.