91. Bismack Biyombo, C, Magic

Bismack Biyombo might be a specialist, but he picked the right thing to specialize in
91. Bismack Biyombo, C, Magic
91. Bismack Biyombo, C, Magic /

Biyombo might be a specialist, but he picked the right thing to specialize in. One year after generating limited interest as a free agent, the 2011 lottery pick parlayed a strong postseason run with the Raptors into a four-year, $70 million contract with the Magic. Orlando is paying for elite interior defense: The impossibly long-armed Biyombo (5.5 PPG, 8 RPG, 1.6 BPG) aces the major advanced stats when it comes to protecting the rim, he grades out well as a pick-and-roll defender, and he plays with intensity. As a result, Toronto’s defensive efficiency improved nearly four points when he took the court last season, jumping from No. 23 in 2014-15 to No. 11 last year. Unfortunately, Biyombo, 24, is still a one-way guy: he usually looks uncomfortable with the ball in his hands, he struggles to get his shot in traffic, he’s not a viable option from outside three feet, and he can’t be deployed as a playmaker in pick-and-roll scenarios, meaning his team’s offensive efficiency tends to take a major hit when he’s on the court. As Toronto found out last season though, when he was pressed into a greater role when Jonas Valanciunas was sidelined with injury, BIyombo is just good enough at what he does to make up for what he doesn’t do. (Last year: Not ranked)

+ He ranked No. 8 in the NBA in FG% allowed at the rim last year (via NylonCalculus.com)
+ He grabbed a Raptors franchise-record 26 rebounds in Game 3 of the East finals
According to Real Plus Minus, his offensive impact ranked 63rd among 71 centers
He has registered more than twice as many turnovers as assists in each of his five seasons


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Ben Golliver
BEN GOLLIVER

Ben Golliver is a staff writer for SI.com and has covered the NBA for various outlets since 2007. The native Oregonian and Johns Hopkins University graduate currently resides in Los Angeles.