Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero made an appearance on ESPN’s First Take from the Fanatics Fan Fest, sharing insights into the team’s development and prospects for the upcoming season. Banchero, a 6-foot-10 forward from Duke, was the number one overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. He expressed his deep appreciation to the Magic for selecting him, acknowledging the risk they took and the confidence they placed in his abilities. His gratitude is rooted in the surprise surrounding his selection as the top pick, something he didn’t anticipate himself.
Since joining the Magic, Banchero has taken on a prominent role, quickly becoming the face of the franchise. The team has seen a notable improvement in his first two seasons. After the team struggled with win totals of 21 and 22 in the seasons leading up to his draft, they managed to increase their win total by 12 games in his first season. In his second season, the team improved by 13 more wins, which propelled them back into the playoff picture.
Reflecting on his playoff experience, particularly the seven-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Banchero discussed the learning curve that comes with postseason play. He noted that the Cavaliers’ defense was challenging, forcing him and his teammates to adapt and slow the game down. Despite the Magic’s loss, Banchero’s impressive statistics—averaging 27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists on 45.6% shooting—demonstrated his capability to perform under pressure and against elite competition. This experience, he believes, will serve him well in the future, as he learned the importance of being in top physical and mental shape.
In the offseason, the Magic made strategic moves to bolster their roster, including signing veteran free agent Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Banchero highlighted Caldwell-Pope’s championship experience and his potential impact on the team, particularly in addressing shooting and maintaining a strong defensive presence. With nearly every contributor from the previous season returning, Banchero is confident that the additional experience and the new additions will make the Magic a formidable team in the Eastern Conference.
Banchero is optimistic about the team’s prospects, believing that the Magic are on the cusp of contending with the top teams in the East. He recalls last season’s early success, where the Magic were initially doubted but finished strong, securing the fifth seed and almost clinching the second seed. With the improvements made during the offseason and the development of the team’s young core, Banchero envisions the Magic as a top-4 or even top-3 team in the conference, ready to make significant noise and challenge for the Eastern Conference title.
FOR MORE RECENT NEWS CLICK HERE
Be the first to comment