A week into the NBA Summer League and our rookies are already thriving, and even in his small sample size Paolo has shown why he is the top pick.
Written by: Riya Karla
16 July, 2022
Of course our number 1 draft pick tops this list, in the first two games Banchero has played in, he’s already proved himself as a team player, passing to his teammates while also driving to the basket himself. In his first two summer league games, Banchero has averaged 20 PPG, 6 APG, and 5 RPG, making his summer league debut.
In game 1, Banchero took the floor. He was an agile defender, making it more difficult for the number 3 draft pick, Jabari Smith Jr, to get to the basket. Not only did Banchero shine on the defensive end, but in his first summer league debut, Banchero put up an impressive 17 points as a rookie. Banchero was able to hit shots from all around the court, from the perimeter to the paint. Though Banchero takes a lot of shots, making most of them, he also knows how and when to pass to his teammates. Banchero’s playing has displayed him as a selfless person, knowing that he needs to pass to his teammates to help them win. In Banchero’s game 2 of summer league, Banchero struggled a bit more, finishing with 8 turnovers. Banchero also turned over the ball last minute, allowing Keegan Murray to hit a three, forcing the game to go into overtime, then sudden death. Despite that, Banchero managed to pull up at the defensive end, making a game-saving block against the Sacramento Kings center Neemias Queta. Then Banchero made an efficient assist, making a quick pass to his teammate Emmanuel Terry. Terry laid the ball up and in, giving the Magic another win, but their first win in a sudden death overtime.
Banchero has shown his potential in these two games. Unfortunately, Orlando has decided to shut Banchero down, giving him a rest for the remainder of their summer league games. Banchero has shown the Magic what they’ve wanted to see, now they “want other players to get opportunities now.” Once more Orlando players start getting more minutes in the NBA Summer League, they will have to start creating more team chemistry within them, so they start playing like “Magic.” All of Orlando wants to win, but to do that, their players need to communicate more efficiently and develop a bond. In game 3 against the Thunder, when Banchero wasn’t playing, the Magic suffered a loss. Orlando was having a hard time hitting shots from the field and their team chemistry simply wasn’t there. After struggling in the 2nd quarter, Orlando certainly made a comeback only to lose 81-84. Even with Banchero playing, would the Magic have won? Going against Giddy and Holmgren would have been a challenge, given that Oklahoma seems to have the team chemistry Orlando lacks. Well, there is always room for improvement, and now the Magic have the rest of the summer league to work themselves out to prepare for the regular season. Paolo Banchero has carried the Magic in their first two summer league games, now we’ll see how the rest of the team will handle themselves without their number one pick.
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