Forced into action in large part because of the depleted bench of the Denver Nuggets — they have eight players who can take the court in the scrimmages, and seven of them are forwards — it has been the Bol Bol show in Orlando so far.
After a strong first game (16 points, 10 boards, 6 blocks), Bol bounced back and scored 15 on Saturday against New Orleans.
.@BolBol gets us on the board! #MileHighBasketball https://t.co/q6ZZcsMUos
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 26, 2020
Again he blocked shots guys didn’t think he’d get to, like J.J.Redick.
We told y'all not to shoot when Bol is around...#MileHighBasketball https://t.co/9wJiONIucG
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) July 26, 2020
Bol has gifts that made him a top prospect out of high school. As Nuggets coach Mike Malone said, you can’t teach 7'2" with a 7'9" wingspan and a soft touch from three. After a couple of strong showings from Bol — as well as guard Troy Daniels — Malone was asked if they could play their way into the postseason rotation. Don’t bet on that happening.
Malone: "It's hard to play 10, 11, 12 guys once the playoffs come around." @HarrisonWind question pertained to Troy Daniels in the postseason rotation, but the answer obviously stands for any guys who might make a push, Bol Bol included.
— Mike Singer (@msinger) July 26, 2020
Bol is flashing the potential that caught the eye of scouts, but he’s also still very raw and that shows in games as well. It’s to be expected after a foot injury sidelined him for an entire season, at least until the coronavirus pushed the end of the season back into the summer. Bol has some work to do yet.
But in Orlando, he has been the best part of the scrimmage games.