Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero has been tipped to win Rookie of the Year for most of the 2022-23 campaign, having a historic year among rookies.
Despite competition from the likes of Bennedict Mathurin and Jalen Williams at different points in the season, Banchero was expected to be a unanimous selection for the award but it’s been revealed that won’t be the case as a writer has voted for Utah’s Walker Kessler and fans are not happy.
Someone just ruined Paolo Banchero’s chances of being unanimous rookie of the year 😅
(Via @CroesFire ) pic.twitter.com/KOpZdOlcft
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 14, 2023
The man who picked Kessler, Andy Larsen, was quick to defend his selection.
Basically… the advanced stats all favor Kessler, and I've always been an analytically-oriented voter. I think I would have made this vote even if I covered another team.
Here's where the rookies rank in EPM, and here's what I wrote in explaining my vote. pic.twitter.com/bmYd0RQEwI
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 14, 2023
Some asked for Larsen’s voting privileges to be revoked.
Can you revoke someone’s voting privileges?
Asking for a friend
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) April 14, 2023
Some called the vote an attention-seeking attempt.
@andyblarsen pic.twitter.com/duTmlNfBgG
— Steven Walker (@swalker_7) April 14, 2023
A Banchero revenge game against Utah may be on the cards next season, according to fans.
Paolo vs Utah next season pic.twitter.com/banW6dgHee
— Kenny (@Kennyduhballern) April 14, 2023
Fans also called out the apparent Utah bias in the reporter.
“Salt Lake Tribune”
— . (@Game7Tatum) April 14, 2023
Some believed that Larsen’s vote didn’t deserve so much criticism.
Paolo banchero on Andy Larsen soon pic.twitter.com/JMap4sIRnz
— Be-Jai McCray (@bejai12_) April 14, 2023
A fan used the Nikola Jokic MVP argument to advocate for Kessler.
We just had a back to back MVP based off nothing but advanced stats. Walker Kessler led all rookies in Win Shares, BPM, and VORP by a wide margin.
— GW (@G_Webs_Since_93) April 14, 2023
Andy Larsen tried defending his pick by delving into advanced stats to justify Kessler’s selection, but everyone can see it’s not the best reasoning. Kessler had a sensational season and is looking like a future Defensive Player of the Year candidate and franchise cornerstone for the Utah Jazz, but it’s okay to say that Banchero is simply a more dynamic option that can impact both sides of the ball.
Paolo Banchero’s Historic Rookie Season
Paolo Banchero’s journey in the NBA started as the surprise No. 1 overall pick in 2022, with many expecting him to drop behind Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr. The Magic believed in his potential, and he’s proven the best option out of the 3, with Jabari underwhelming in Houston and Chet missing the entire season.
Banchero averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists as a rookie. As a result, Paolo is just the 6th rookie to put up averages like these, joining the likes of Luka Doncic, Michael Jordan, Blake Griffin, Larry Bird, and Walter Davis. He is already the first name on the Magic scouting chart and was guarded like a veteran by most of his opponents, causing inconsistencies in his production.
Banchero has shown a versatile skill set with some hit-and-cold shooting, as evidenced by him shooting 3% on 3’s in February just to go on to end the season averaging 38.7% from beyond the arc in March and April.
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