:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60149369/usa_today_10903904.0.jpg)
Mo Bamba is a member of the Orlando Magic….and Twitter approves.
Over the past few months, after significant moments in the Magic season or offseason, we have done a “Twitter reacts…” story and the response has been, at best, divided but mostly negative. Whether it was when Twitter reacted to the Steve Clifford hiring, or when Twitter reacted to the Magic getting the sixth pick in the NBA Draft or when Twitter reacted to Frank Vogel getting fired.
But with the selection of Bamba, a majority of tweets were positive and believed that the Magic made the best selection they could of the players available. I, for one, would agree.
Of course, there were some negative tweets sprinkled in, mostly by those concerned about the Magic’s lack of a starting point guard and failure to address their dismal offensive efficiency in any way. Understandable concerns. And I sure am curious to know how this Draft would have played out for the Magic had the trade between the Hawks and Mavericks not taken place.
But rather than wonder about what could have been and worry about the Magic’s point guard issues, let’s enjoy the fact that Orlando had a pretty solid night.
With Bamba, Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon, the Magic now have a promising, young frontcourt with length and athleticism and they need a nickname ASAP. I say we just take each of their last initials and call them “BIG.” And if they have success down the line: “Victorious B.I.G.”
Anyway, here are some tweets about Bamba and the Magic that I thought were among the best of the best. Feel free to add others in the comments below.
Welcome to Orlando, Mo! pic.twitter.com/x73zzZO5Wo
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) June 22, 2018
It's the morning after the NBA Draft, how are you feeling about the Magic's selections?
— Orlando Pinstriped Post (@OPPMagicBlog) June 22, 2018
Mohamed Bamba, in a conference call with Orlando-area reporters: “I just want people to know that I love this game and I'll do whatever it takes to be success in this game and that I'm a competitor. ... I truly believe this organization will be successful again."
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) June 22, 2018
Just to get out in front of this. If the @OrlandoMagic draft Mo Bamba tonight. When he blocks shots the crowd has to chant Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Mo Bam-Ba to the tune of La Bamba.
— Chris Corso (@cncorso) June 21, 2018
Melvin Frazier best defensive player at the small forward position in the draft , Mo Bamba best rim protector. Orlando Magic is building something special
— Coach Rory Poplion (@CoachRoryP) June 22, 2018
Watched the Magic lose all year thinking we had a plan to get Trae Young.Gave away Elfrid for peanuts, thought "no worries" Trae's coming.We let em slip away by one pick. Thanks again for winning the meaningless last game of the season and still not drafting a PG.
— Jace (@quiescent77) June 22, 2018
The Magic were reportedly hoping Trae Young would be available at No. 6, but the Mavericks-Hawks trade forced them to alter their plans. They’ll still be very happy to end up with Mo Bamba, who many feel has the potential to be the best player in this draft.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 22, 2018
The Magic took three players tonight with wingspans over 7 feet then took the one guy they picked with a 7'1 wingspan and traded him for another guy with a 7'3 wingspan.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) June 22, 2018
The number one question that must be asked about any big man in today's NBA is this: Can he stay on the floor when opposing teams go small? Most analysts feel that @OrlandoMagic C Mo Bamba has the lateral quickness and length to guard smaller players when switched onto them.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 22, 2018
The Orlando Magic haven't talked to Nikola Vucevic about a potential trade. Regarding first-round pick Mo Bamba, Vucevic tells HoopsHype: "He's a good pick. He's talented and he'll be a big presence."
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 22, 2018
The Orlando Magic frontcourt: Nikola Vucecic, Bismack Biyombo, Mo Bamba, Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac
— caine (@CaineLovesCali) June 22, 2018
There's gotta be a trade coming soon? A lot of guys that need mintes to prove that they can play + have huge contracts
I don't get the negativity from Magic fans about the draft.
— Tank Commander of Futures Past (@FmrTankCommandr) June 22, 2018
Bamba pick was a home run.
Frazier pick is exactly the type of pick you should make on the second round.
Jackson is a gamble on a guy who may have gone first round last year. Injury this year dropped him.
NYC native Mo Bamba gets drafted by the Orlando Magic! pic.twitter.com/TAF3fIyBPt
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) June 22, 2018
Well this tweet aged well :) https://t.co/xaydQWRVym
— Magic Man Bamba (@MagicManBrandon) June 22, 2018
With the 6th pick in the 2018 #NBADraft the @OrlandoMagic select Mo Bamba! pic.twitter.com/NF4MphZPpD
— Be Magic Or Be Gone! (@BeORLMagic) June 22, 2018
Very good night for the Magic overall.
— Zach Oliver (@ZachOliverNBA) June 22, 2018
everyone on the magic is a power forward or center that cant really shoot https://t.co/xeKONK1ouC
— ricky scricca ☕️ (@scricca1) June 22, 2018
Texas center Mohamed Bama spends a moment with his mother after being drafted No. 6 by the @OrlandoMagic at the #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/5CstPxRKHC
— Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel (@OS_ChrisHays) June 22, 2018
Jeff Weltman, after the draft, on selecting Mohamed Bamba: "We are elated to get Mo Bamba. We jumped through the roof when he was available and we look forward to a very bright future with Mo."
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) June 22, 2018
Here’s the good news about Mo Bamba being drafted by the #Magic:
— Eli Mooneyham (@Eli_Mooneyham) June 22, 2018
He’ll be traded in about two years, just like every prospect Orlando has drafted as of late.
Mo Bamba to the @OrlandoMagic@kevinoconnornba’s instant grade: A
— The Ringer (@ringer) June 22, 2018
A 7-foot-10 wingspan means that Bamba has the foundation to be a quality NBA player … even if his 3-point shot doesn’t develop. If his shot DOES develop, he can become a player on a whole new level. #RingerNBA pic.twitter.com/w1S35boTkX
No. 6 Pick: Mohamed Bamba, Orlando Magic
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) June 22, 2018
Scored 1.527 points per shot around the rim in the half court [97th percentile]; averaged 3.7 blocks per game
Full Scouting Report: https://t.co/pP0ZkCq1W6 pic.twitter.com/2WggGPwtpe
Can we get our new strength coaches to get some lower body strength on Isaac and Bamba, @OrlandoMagic?
— Adam Papageorgiou (Pau goaltended C-Lee in ‘09) (@PapageorgiouMBO) June 22, 2018
The Magic haven't been in the top-20 in the NBA in offensive rating in six years and keep drafting defenders. I don't have a joke.
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) June 22, 2018
The #Magic defense next year pic.twitter.com/Jk0uGyQFQU
— Orlando Magic Daily (@OMagicDaily) June 22, 2018
6th overall pick Mo Bamba may be long on upside, but he was the most efficient finisher among draft prospects last season anyways. pic.twitter.com/so9cj8uJy9
— Synergy Basketball (@SynergySST) June 22, 2018
So how fast are all the Magic fans that were stanning for Trae Young changing their twitter names/bios
— Aaron Goldstone (@AaronGoldstone) June 21, 2018
Would not be concerned that Orlando has 2 centers on the roster with Vucevic and Biyombo. This picks is about the future. Now it’s time for the Magic front office to find a starting PG.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 22, 2018
The Warriors took Steph, Draymond and Klay in the same year and the Bulls picked Jordan and Pippen in the same year too. Oh wait. Championship rosters aren’t built in 1 year. Bamba is the most exciting pick in years and gives us some identity. Magic fans need to chill.
— Nick Upper (@nick_upper) June 22, 2018
Magic fans at the team's draft party walk by the media room and one loudly says "Need to trade Vuc (Nikola Vucevic) for a f*cking guard. NOW!"
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 22, 2018
So, there's that happening here in Orlando.
Things @OrlandoMagic fans should bear in mind after the #NBADraft
— SWG (@SW_Guest) June 22, 2018
• No one wants Bismack Biyombo's contract
• There's no trade market for Nik Vucevic
• There isn't enough cap space to sign big name FAs like Isaiah Thomas
• The rebuild has only just begun#TrustTheProcess
Mo Bamba is the 2nd 7-footer the Magic have taken with a top-10 pick.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 22, 2018
The other was Shaquille O'Neal - 1st overall in 1992.
Whoever drafts Mo Bamba tomorrow night is getting a stud! Improved A TON over the past three months & is just getting started! #puresweatfam pic.twitter.com/BshtpayR0w
— Drew Hanlen (@DrewHanlen) June 20, 2018
Thought-Provoking Daily Poll:
— 96.9 The Game (@969thegame) June 22, 2018
Realistically, you expect Mo Bamba to turn into what type of player for the @OrlandoMagic?
Could say the Michael Porter Jr. back injury cost the Orlando #Magic Trae Young....wow
— Nicky Football (@ESPN580Nick) June 21, 2018
Orlando Magic PG situation rn. pic.twitter.com/oaF00SVvCY
— Jimi Kunkel (@JimiKunkel) June 22, 2018
now that Orlando has their frontcourt settled, which point guard should The Magic go after in the trade market?
— #PaperMario World (@PaperMarioWorld) June 22, 2018
I knew Mo Bamba was gonna be a first round pick when I saw him play that one game against MJ back when he used to rep Moron Mountain. #NBADraft @OrlandoMagic pic.twitter.com/yEHN5BNymm
— Mike Barnette (@mike_barnette) June 22, 2018
It's funny cause it's true. Orlando is like the Lakers' minor league affiliate that develops its future centers https://t.co/LlnTQQcng6
— Orlando Pinstriped Post (@OPPMagicBlog) June 22, 2018