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Kia Rookie Ladder: Paolo Banchero holds top spot before key matchup

Magic rookie Paolo Banchero faces Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (left) on Wednesday.

“Paolo vs. Jabari” isn’t as jaw-dropping as “Larry vs. Magic.” Or even “Zion vs. Ja” at this point.

In time, it could become a notable ongoing duel between newcomers who entered the league around the same time. yet. But ready or not, Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr. are set to go head-to-head on Wednesday night for the second time this 2022-23 regular season, and Orlando will play in Houston. did(8 PM ET NBA League Pass).

That alone was reason enough to give it a spotlight on this week’s Kia Rookie Ladder.

Most thought it was a coin toss whether the Magic would pick Banchero or Smith as the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft. The Rockets figured they’d be tied with whoever was left, but it didn’t matter to them. The bony 7-footer Chet from Gonzaga was not expected to pass Oklahoma City for second, although he also played at the top of Holmgren.

Holmgren, of course, has missed the entire season after injuring his right foot in August’s Pro-Am match, and is not currently playing. It’s my second match.

upon Orlando, November 7, Banchero scored 30 points with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 12-of-14 free throw shooting. Smith had just one of his four shots, grabbed one rebound, and scored just three of his runs in 22 minutes. But there was a backstory. He overcame illness to miss the Rockets’ previous game in Minnesota, then caught up with the team in Florida and played without attending practices or shootarounds.

Paolo Banchero scored 30 points in his first matchup against Houston.

Teenagers were at least happy that Houston won 134-127 and that they were teenagers. The 20-year-old has a one-year term in Banchero and was expected to be NBA-ready before the draft, regardless of draft order.

Both progressed in Year 1. Smith’s work habits helped him improve his accuracy after an early shooting slump, even though he showed a more effective defensive side than Banchero He is averaging 8.0 rebounds over his last seven games.

The Magic rookie is one of the most productive rookies in recent memory, recently expanding his shooting range to a 3-point arc (16-44 in 10 games this month, first was 15 to 55). 15). Banchero’s calling card was a worn rut with endless queue moves – ranked at 8.4 every night Seventh In the league, he has surpassed veteran scorers such as Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, Damien Lillard, Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell and Stephen Curry.He’s pretty much the reason Orlando stood up 29th in free throw attempts (19.7 per game in 2021-22) 10th (24.7).

Neither of the two most highly-selected active drafts were named Rookie of the Month at their respective October/November conferences. not as direct as It’s still too early to know the Rookie of the Year results or whether the two of them will be able to create playoff memories together like in “Larry vs. Magic.”

For a record, Byrd and Johnson have met 18 times in the regular season and Johnson’s Lakers have won 11. Each did what he did best on a daily basis. Bird averaged 21.7 points and 10.9 rebounds on 50 percent shooting and he had 6.2 assists, while Johnson persevered with 19.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 11.5 assists.

When it comes to 2019’s top two picks, Zion vs. Ja, Williamson’s team has won 4 of their 5 matchups. The Pelicans big his forward outscored the Grizzlies’ agile points his guard with his 18.8 from his 24.2.

Top 5 of the 2022-23 Kia Rookie Ladder of the Week:

(All stats until Tuesday 20th December)

1. Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic

season statistics: 21.8ppg, 6.6rpg, 4.0apg
since last ladder: 22.3ppg, 5.3rpg, 5.3apg
last ladder: 1
draft pick: Overall 1st place

Banchero sunk half of his 24 3-pointers in the Magic’s 3-1 week, posting 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks. In his 14 games since returning from a sprained ankle, his goal attempts on the field per game averaged him three fewer, down 16.5%, but assists increased his 19%. doing. By the way, his record of scoring 20 or more in his seven-game streak, which ended in Atlanta on Monday, aligns with Shaquille’s O’Neal record by Orlando rookies 30 years ago.

2. Benedict Maturin, Indiana Pacers

season statistics: 17.9ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.5apg
since last ladder: 20.3ppg, 5.0rpg, 1.7apg
last ladder: 2
draft pick: Overall 6th

Maturin has only missed three times in 31 appearances and scored 10 or more points, but since Thanksgiving, he has shot 38.2% (23.9% in 3 seconds).This means he’s getting more attention from senior scouts and opposing coaches.As Pacers coach Rick Carlyle recently said“The team spends a lot of time planning games, preparing games for him, making it more difficult for him. … It can really irritate you. I am impressed with how they have maintained it.”

3. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons

season statistics: 15.5ppg, 4.3rpg, 4.0apg
since last ladder: 16.8ppg, 3.5rpg, 3.8apg
last ladder:Five
draft pick: 5th overall

Scored a career-high 30 points in Detroit loss On Utah Tuesday, his 10-of-14 shooting put his weekly shooting numbers in a respectable position: 55.8% overall and 40% from the arc.Ivey and Killian Hayes finished last year’s No. 1 the pick is done for the season (left shin surgery). Coach Dwayne Casey called it a “silver lining” in the wrong direction.

4. Keegan Murray of the Sacramento Kings

season statistics: 11.9ppg, 3.9rpg, 0.7apg
since last ladder: 13.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 0.0apg
Last ladder: Four
draft pick: Overall 4th

He has scored in double figures in 10 of his last 11 games, six of which came as a substitute. This is where Murray’s consistency is low as he averaged 10.1 points on 38.2% shooting at his center in the Golden 1 and 14.4 points on 49.2% shooting. Having been 25th in 3FG and 24th in 3FG, he has helped the Kings move up to 6th and 15th.Besides, everyone should have such a fan.

5. Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets

season statistics: 11.9ppg, 7.1rpg, 0.7apg
Since last ladder: 10.0ppg, 7.7rpg, 0.7apg
last ladder: 3
draft pick: 3rd overall

Shooting yips have returned ferociously this week: 13-of-39 overall and 1-of-15 from the Deep, Smith trailed minus 45 in Houston’s losses to the Heat, Trail Blazers and Spurs. The Rockets are 7-6 if the rookie hits 37% or more from the arc. Otherwise, 2-15. Leading the 2022 class in fouls (91).

Next 5:

6. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons

season statistics: 7.2ppg, 8.2rpg, 0.7apg
since last ladder: 10.0ppg, 14.7rpg, 1.7apg
last ladder: T10
draft pick: Overall 13th

He is the top rookie with 10 or more rebounds in 7 consecutive games and a total of 247 rebounds.

7. AJ Griffin, Atlanta Hawks

season statistics: 10.7ppg, 2.3rpg, 1.0apg
since last ladder: 15.7ppg, 3.7rpg, 1.3apg
last ladder: 6
draft pick: Overall 16th

Back on the bench and shoot like a star (63.3% over the week, 10 FGA per game).

8. Oklahoma City Thunder’s Jaylen Williams

season statistics: 10.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.8apg
since last ladder: 10.3ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.8apg
last ladder: 7
draft pick: Overall 12th

West Rookie of the Month is consistent with December figures.

9. Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz

season statistics: 6.5ppg, 6.0rpg, 0.6apg
since last ladder: 8.7ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.0apg
last ladder: 8
draft pick: Overall 22nd

his 58 blocks That’s 53% more than C. Koroko of the Raptors, who is second among rookies.

10. Tari Eason, Houston Rockets

season statistics: 8.6ppg, 5.3rpg, 0.8apg
since last ladder: 9.7ppg, 5.0rpg, 0.7apg
last ladder: none
draft pick: Overall 17th

Rocket is +11 points when Eason is on the court and -186 points when he is sitting.

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Steve Ashburner has been writing about the NBA since 1980. here is his archive When follow him on twitter.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery Sports.

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