I don’t want to overreact because it’s only Summer League, but Paolo Banchero looks…different. The nineteen-year-old first overall pick from Duke University shined in his opening game for the Magic posting seventeen points, six assists, and four rebounds. Banchero’s numbers were certainly solid, but his shot-making ability and distribution to his teammates were exceptional. At 6’10” 249lbs, Paolo is looking like a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
During his debut against the Houston Rockets which featured third overall pick Jabari Smith, Banchero made sure to show the basketball world that he’s NBA ready right now. Early in the first quarter, Paolo got Smith matched up on him at the top of the key. With ten seconds on the shot clock and no clear offensive set being run, Banchero got his opportunity to go one-on-one. Now, this is what really caught my eye. Paolo showed off one of his most impressive attributes: patience. The number one pick realized he couldn’t drive right because of the loaded-up help defense. Instead of forcing his way into the paint and lurking defenders, he used a rhythm dribble before attacking Smith’s upper left foot, only to end up stepping back for a three that touched no rim. For all of the twenty-five minutes Paolo played, he was able to punish defenders by attacking the rim, as well as displaying incredible patience in the mid-post and paint. Banchero has poise when he has the ball, making sure to read the defense instead of prematurely making a mistake. Having skills like patience and a high basketball IQ typically don’t come right away for teenagers transitioning to the NBA.
It was more of the same against the Kings two days after his debut. Paolo put up twenty-three points, six dimes, six boards, and two monster blocks which featured a game-saving swat at the rim. He showed us an array of spins, fadeaways, and no-look assists when the defense keyed in on him. All translatable to the league. One move in particular that highlights just how good this kid can be was his turnaround jumper over Sacramento’s top pick Keegan Murray and his outstretched arms. Murray is listed at 6’8″ with a 6’11” wingspan, so being able to shoot over that…scary.
As the game progressed against Houston as well as Sacramento, Paolo found his sweet spot in that mid-post area I touched on earlier. One thing about all great scorers in the NBA is their ability to get to the spots they want, and have counters with ball fakes and elite footwork when the defense has an advantage. With his size and frame, Banchero can shoot over small defenders and blow by bigger ones. He also has incredible patience and displays the ability to bump defenders and play off one or two feet in the paint. Another impressive skill Paolo Banchero possesses is his ability to finish with either power above the rim or finesse below it. Whether it’s a two-foot stride stop into a lefty floater, or a 360 dunk on the break, he has a stunning ability to pull off both.
Head coach Jamahl Mosley recently talked about how he loves how physical and strong his top draft pick already is. Still only a teenager, it will be exciting to watch how Banchero continues to evolve his body throughout his career. When you have a chance to grab a guy who moves and shoots as well as he does at that height and weight, it is hard to pass on. His potential is limitless, and with his extraordinary work ethic and willingness to learn, Magic fans have a lot to look forward to.
Now, is he a perfect prospect? Of course not. Banchero needs to continue to develop his shot-making ability from three as he shot 33.8% from beyond the arc at Duke. Not a bad percentage by any means, but shooting even in the upper thirties can catapult him into All-Star status within the first few years of his career. I have no doubt that he will be able to do that, as his mechanics look fluid, and he will work to make himself a consistently good three-point shooter. Paolo also struggled against Sacramento, turning the basketball over eight times. But, with what he’s been able to do in terms of making plays for his teammates, games like that are bound to happen. Especially with how often the ball was in his hands throughout thirty-four minutes of action for the rook.
Drafting number one overall is more complex than it looks. Over the years there have been plenty of top picks who don’t pan out in the NBA for whatever reason. Paolo Banchero, however, will not be one of them. Orlando Magic fans and coaches have lots to be excited about with the nineteen-year-old from Seattle. He joins just three players to be top picks for Orlando. That trio of Magic selections first overall? Shaquille O’Neal, Dwight Howard, and Chris Webber (who was traded on draft night for Penny Hardaway). Big shoes to fill from the kid for sure. But I don’t think he’s fazed by the pressure. He’s used to it.