Bol Bol has been the star of Orlando thus far and the Golden State Warriors are kicking themselves for not selecting him in the 2019 NBA Draft.
NBA basketball is back. The 22 Orlando teams have kicked off the resume to play as scrimmages have officially begun. Thus far, Bol Bol has been the breakout star of the Disney bubble, making the Golden State Warriors regret selecting him last summer.
Bol recorded 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in the Denver Nuggets victory over the Washington Wizards. He wowed everyone with his incredible height and wingspan, dominating in every facet of the game.
This was a very encouraging sign for a player who’s health has been an ongoing issue. Before the 2019 NBA Draft, Bol was projected to be a top 10 pick. Sadly, reoccurring injuries cause his stock to plummet. Boll fell to the 44th pick in the draft.
The Warriors had two opportunities to select Bol. Once in the first round, when they took Jordan Poole. And again in the second round, acquiring Eric Paschall at 41. While Paschall has had a strong rookie season and will make the All-Rookie team, we can’t help but imagine how this roster would look with Bol in the lineup rather than Poole.
Poole struggled for much of his first season. Although he did hit his stride towards the end of the year, averaging 14.3 points in his final 13 games, Poole still lacks the massive upside that Bol possesses.
Bol is a 7’2″ freak of nature with sound ball-handling and shot-creating abilities. His frail frame has made him prone to injuries but there is no debating his potential if he can remain healthy. Bol can revolutionize the game if he stays on the floor for extended periods of time.
He has some ways to go as a shooter but is showing promise for a player of his stature. Furthermore, he has displayed great timing on defense and is taking full advantage of his height to reject shots.
Again, we haven’t seen much from Bol just yet. One scrimmage is not enough reason for the league to panic. However, Bol has taken an impressive first step towards causing regret for the Warriors.