Posted December 7 2023
THE MANY FACES OF PAOLO BANCHERO
Go-to scorer. Leading playmaker. Top rebounder. Taking one of the youngest teams in the league and putting them at the front of the Eastern Conference.
Sounds like an MVP candidate to you? Not quite yet, but give it a couple seasons and the hype is going to catch up to the 21 year old reigning Rookie of the Year.
Paolo Banchero is doing it all, and has the Orlando Magic off to their best start in 13 years since the 2010-2011 squad featuring Dwight and Vince were battling for 1st in the East with the ‘original Big 3’ Boston Celtics.
Twenty one games into the season and Paolo leads the Magic in (deep breath):
Total points
Total rebounds
Total assists
Points generated off assists
Free throw made and fouls drawn
3PT% (for starters)
And 1 plays (the ones where you go to the FT line, but also probably ‘And 1’ style plays)
Also if you want to throw in there, he’s third in steals and third in blocks.
Magic fans will tell you that next to his jump in 3PT% this year, the biggest and most pleasant surprise has been his defensive improvements. His steady growth there has helped the Magic rise to the 4th ranked defense in the league, up from 16th ranked last year.
Some more context to the year he’s having:
He's in line to join the company of Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Chris Webber - and future Hall of Famer LeBron James - and current stars Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball.
These are the only 21 year old (or younger) players to average 20+ PPG, 6+ RPG, 4+ APG in a season.
Out of that list, Paolo currently has the 4th highest FG%, the highest 3P%, the lowest FGA, and the third lowest MPG. These are not empty, high volume, no-defense, losing record stats he throwing up.
Banchero is doing this in the system, doing whatever the Magic need from him to get a W, and growing every week.
