The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: The Draft Lottery is Set

By Kohl Rast

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: A general view of the NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum during the 2018 NBA Draft during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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79. . . C. Mohamed Bamba. 5

KOHL: Ahh yes, the daunted Mavs pick which will undoubtedly get the love from the Bamba battalion and the scorn of the Jackson Jr. junkies. Listen, I get that Jackson has a lot of versatility on the defensive end. I get that he shot the three-pointer well in college. And I can see that he has even more potential on top of that.

I can also see that Mo Bamba has a chance to be a top-level defender in the NBA for years to come. Defensive Player of the Year type defender. And that could easily be viewed as his floor in the NBA. The truth is, Bamba is so much more athletic than people want to give him credit for. He is long, quick, and can jump out of the gym.

AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 12: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns plays defense against the Baylor Bears at the Frank Erwin Center on February 12, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 12: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns plays defense against the Baylor Bears at the Frank Erwin Center on February 12, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

The biggest downside to Bamba is his size. Not upwards, but outwards. He is thin as a twig and will get bullied in the NBA at his current weight. Without a serious commitment to the weight room prior to hitting the NBA, these concerns could become much more important going forward.

Past these concerns, Bamba’s offensive game has shown signs of improving. Whether he ever gets a consistent three-point shot or not, Bamba’s strength is going to be above the rim on both ends of the court. That alone is incredibly valuable but it does not mean he doesn’t have room to grow. I believe that Bamba will prove his worth within the first two seasons in the NBA.

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