Expectations were high for Paolo Banchero for the 2022-23 season. orlando magic selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, and so far he’s lived up to expectations. In fact, through his three games, Banchero has done what players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James never did.in his production against detroit pistons, Atlanta Hawks When boston celticsBanchero became the first teenager Score at least 20 points in each of his first three games in NBA history.
In the first game of his career, the 19-year-old Banchero shot 11-of-18 from the field against Detroit, scoring 27 points and adding 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks. He followed that up with his 20-point, 12-rebound performance against Atlanta. He also added three blocks and he added two assists. Saturday night’s game against Boston, Duke’s product, he had 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block.
Physically, Banchero looks ready to play at the NBA level, and his skill set is very sophisticated for a 19-year-old rookie. With three matches, he has already demanded the respect of his peers. Late in the first half of the contest between Boston and Orlando, Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum decided defensively to switch to Banchero after the rookie seemed comfortable on offense.
“Any NBA player who is comfortable and can hit a shot, whoever it is, starts playing with confidence and then comes into the game of baseball. And that’s what happened tonight. So the guard. decided to [Banchero]’ said Tatum. athletic“I take pride in my defense. Like we all do…that’s how you show respect. I’m not going to take it easy. I’m going to compete.” Someone has to go, whether he’s 19 or 30. No one made it easy for me in my first year.”
Having one of the league’s premier players replace you in the first half of the regular season games in October is such a huge compliment to a Banchero who looks poised for a very productive career.Banchero is he said he wants to win He’s Rookie of the Year this season, and if he stays that way for the next three games, it could well be.
