Paolo Banchero has at all times been destined to be a star scorer within the NBA. The 6’10, 250-pound ahead can win with talent or energy, effortlessly flowing right into a mid-range pull-up jumper simply as simply as he bulldozes smaller gamers on his solution to the rim. The traits that made Banchero the No. 1 decide within the 2022 NBA Draft out of Duke are totally effervescent to the floor at the beginning of his third professional season with the Orlando Magic, however he’s way over only a scorer.
Banchero dropped the primary 50-point recreation of the 2024-25 NBA season on Monday night time as he torched the Indiana Pacers for a sterling 50-13-9 statline. Banchero scored 37 of his 50 factors within the first half on a terrifying array of three-pointers, punishing drives to the ring, and silky-smooth mid-range buckets. It took Indiana a full half to understand they need to in all probability begin trapping him, and that’s when he flashed his spectacular ground recreation.
The sport-winning shot from Orlando’s Anthony Black was an ideal instance of how Banchero is utilizing his scoring gravity to arrange teammates. Pascal Siakam is his major defender as he begins his drive, with Andrew Nembhard in a shallow drop and Tyrese Haliburton digging in from the wing. It could have been tempting for Banchero to go hero-ball right here and take the final shot after such an electrical scoring night time, however as a substitute he zips a behind-the-back move to teammate Jalen Suggs who rotates the ball to the nook to Black for an open three.
Orlando has KCP display screen for Paolo Banchero to get Haliburton in motion. No change. Now Suggs screens and pops. Further move for a giant 3 from Anthony Black. pic.twitter.com/FrYmzkSCy5
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) October 29, 2024
Banchero’s passing imaginative and prescient was all around the tape at Duke, however he confronted powerful circumstances as a playmaker his first two years within the league. The Magic positioned twenty seventh in three-point makes an attempt in his rookie yr, and twenty ninth in the identical class final yr. The massive offseason transfer for the Magic this yr was signing shooter Kentavious Caldwell-Pope away from the Nuggets. Orlando is clearly placing a much bigger emphasis on getting up threes this season, and it’s opening up the ground for Banchero to seek out new passing angles.
This move gained’t present up within the field rating as a result of Suggs missed the shot, but it surely’s a superb learn nonetheless. Paolo is studying Siakam within the nook as he begins his drive, and as quickly as Siakam sucks in, the ball is instantly out for an open nook three.
Banchero’s dimension is simply as a lot of an asset as a passer as it’s as a scorer. He can see excessive of virtually any defender at 6’10, and he’s studying how you can get the ball out of his palms faster. This move to the nook is a good instance of his imaginative and prescient, whereas additionally showcasing his passing velocity.
This move wasn’t precisely within the capturing pocket, however Caldwell-Pope was capable of shortly rotate the ball for a straightforward bucket. It’s all arrange by Banchero recognizing the place the ball must go when he’s trapped.
Protection has at all times been a harder projection for Banchero. He’s not fairly lengthy sufficient to be an NBA middle, and never fast sufficient laterally to lock down the massive wings that now play the 4 within the NBA. Even when he’s caught between positions, Banchero can nonetheless leverage his large body and willingness to play by way of contact to make a distinction on protection.
This rotation towards the Pacers is a good instance. It positive is good to have a 4 who can keep vertical and thwart an open dunk on the rim from somebody as large as Myles Turner. The truth that he made the rotation so shortly and wasn’t apprehensive about probably being dunked on is simply as spectacular.
Banchero will make his cash scoring the ball, however his lack of elite velocity is one motive why he’s struggled to attain with effectivity up to now in his profession. The Magic’s improved spacing ought to assist out his effectivity this yr, however the greater deal will probably be turning into extra snug as a playmaker and defender.
It’s wild to assume Banchero remains to be solely 21 years outdated till the center of November. He nonetheless has a ton of room to develop as a participant, and his improvement is already on show. The Magic star has been one of many large tales within the first week of the brand new NBA season, and it’s not all concerning the buckets.
