On the latest episode of his ‘Podcast P’ show, Paul George was asked to pick a young player under 25 years of age not named Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, or Anthony Edwards to build a franchise around. George named Paolo Banchero, noting that Banchero has shown that he can be a star in the NBA through his performances.
“There’s a lot of talent still out there. Ja is still under 25. Paolo Banchero is still under 25, (so is) LaMelo. If you want to go big and down that route, Chet Holmgren is under 25. There’s a lot of talent that’s under 25. But I think who’s shown that they’re ready for that next jump and I think was a star? For sure, Paolo [Banchero].”
“He was a grown man. You gotta put shooters around him because of his game – he’s such a force. He’s great in transition, he’s great in isolations, and he’s great at sizing dudes up and using his strength to blow by.”
“What takes away from that are people who crowd his driving lanes, he’s a driver. He’s gotten better at being a shooter, but I think naturally he’s a driver, he likes the contact and he plays physical. You gotta put people around him that are going to space.”
George clearly has a lot of respect for Paolo Banchero, having played against him a few times this year. The two also faced off against each other as All-Stars last year as well. Heading into next season, George will have more opportunities to play against Banchero, as they are finally both in the same conference.
Paolo Banchero has had a quiet, yet meteoric rise in the NBA. Getting drafted with the second overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Banchero quickly established himself as the stand-out from his rookie class, winning Rookie of the Year in 2023. And last season, he took the next leap in his game, becoming an All-Star for the first time in his career.
Can Banchero And The Magic Make A Playoff Run Next Season?
Paolo Banchero has also greatly elevated the Orlando Magic. He took them to the playoffs last season, breaking a four-year drought for the franchise. While the Magic couldn’t make it out of the first round, a lot of it could be attributed to the lack of playoff experience on the team.
Banchero and the Orlando Magic are primed to make a deeper playoff run this upcoming season. The Magic added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency, which was a great deal, as they were lacking in three-point shooters on the team. Allowing Banchero to develop further as a point forward, KCP will provide spacing to the team.
Banchero is the leader of the Orlando Magic and the best player on their team. He and the rest of their young roster could take another leap this season, and make a deeper run in the Eastern Conference, off the back of their initial playoff experience. Expect the Magic to be players in the East next season.
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