LOOK WHO’S BACK IN BIZ-NESS
Bismack Biyombo returns to the ACC for the first time as a member of the Magic — after making magic with the Raptors in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
He was beloved by fans and teammates during his time as a Raptor, but Bismack Biyombo will happily play the role of the enemy when he takes on his old club in Toronto on Sunday night.
Raptors coach Dwane Casey cast the Orlando Magic centre as the villain, while also heaping praise on a player whose lasting impact on the local scene is impressive given that he only played here for a year.
Later — sitting, by force of habit, near the hoop where he used to do his work in the Raptors’ practice gym — Biyombo was on the same page as his former coach.
“They know better than anybody that I’ve got no friends on the court, so I’m going to get out there and do the best to help my team win the game,” said the Congolese centre, in town for the first time since joining the Magic as a free agent in July.
That doesn’t mean he won’t have friends in the building. He has remained close with many current Raptors, and still gets warm wishes from fans to this day.
His departure was strictly business. While the Raptors could surely use his skills up front this season, the financial side — Orlando signed him for $72 million over four seasons — just didn’t add up.
“Obviously those fans love me with all their hearts and I gave them my best every night,” Biyombo told reporters in Boston, following the Magic’s 128-98 loss to the Celtics on Friday night. “They got a best shot out of me; I got a best shot out of them.”
Biyombo said he wasn’t quite sure what reaction he’d get from the Air Canada Centre crowd, but expects to face a well-prepared, well-coached Raptors team with an extra jump in its step after snapping a five-game losing skid against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night. Orlando has dropped three straight.
Biyombo has started 23 of 47 games with the Magic and is averaging 6.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24.5 minutes of court time.
Coach Frank Vogel said he has seen more energy from Biyombo — who’s had three double-doubles this month and nine double-digit rebounding performances since Dec. 1 — since the team’s west coast trip earlier this month.
“He’s been good,” said Vogel. “His attitude has been great — not good — and his willingness to bring more to the table has been a 10 out of 10, as well. As a result, you’re seeing his on-court improvement.”
Biyombo said there have been frus- trating stretches — Orlando’s 13th in the Eastern Conference with an 1830 mark — after last season’s run to the conference final with the Rap- tors.
But after a lengthy video session Saturday, Biyombo expects his team to respond well against Toronto.
“For us, we’ve got to start to find a way to turn things around and start playing our basketball,” he said, “because there have been ups and downs and we haven’t been able to establish an identity.
“(Sunday) will be another opportunity for us to really focus on what’s important and how we can bring everybody together on the same page and get it done.”
The prospect of doing just that against his former team adds incentive.
“More than anything, (being back) raises my competitiveness, so I’m going to get out there and compete. It’s going to be fun.”