What did Magic see why Banchero chose Jabari Smith Jr., who was widely expected to go first in the pre-draft process? Should Orlando take Chet Holmgren, who was acclaimed for playing in the Salt Lake City Summer League? And how this draft class, lacking a clear headliner, was in a showcase match where Banchero was Smith, Holmgren was Smith, and Banchero was fourth in the first three days of Las Vegas action. Will it shake?
Banchero shined Magic Brass during his opening night victory by surpassing Smith, the Houston Rockets’ third pick. Sacramento Kings. There was a lot to handle for the 19-year-old Seattle native, including the noisy crowds in Las Vegas and the fact that he was cast as the savior of a team that didn’t work before the draft, but he pointed out the victory over Sacramento. After putting it out, on his right forearm.
“I tattooed it,” he said, revealing a graphic of the words “know the pressure” and “do not apply pressure” in green ink. “I was always able to handle the pressure well and handle it.”
Tracy McGrady in the early 2000s didn’t have a sophisticated border scorer like Banchero, who loved to play against defenders in the midrange. Help arrives.Over the last 10 seasons, Joel Embiid, Donovan Mitchell, Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson The only newcomer with an average of 20 pointsAnd Banchero has every opportunity to join the list.
After scoring 17 points and 6 assists in his debut match, Banchero scored 23 points and 6 assists against Kings. Banchero directed early action against Houston, attacking Smith from the dribble and defensively hunting him down. Smith, who seemed nervous and sometimes overwhelmed, was less aggressive and involved aggressively, but his defensive variety was evident against Banchero, Holmgren’s on Saturday. I won the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The contrast was positive for Orlando, who had a terrible need for a scoring fulcrum after ranking in the bottom ten in terms of attack efficiency over the last ten seasons. Banchero should have a bigger impact than Smith this season. He has a higher ceiling as an offensive threat, thanks to a combination of physicality reminiscent of young Carmelo Anthony and sharpened shot-making skills. Banchero stood at a height of 6 feet 10 in a sturdy frame and thrived on Saturday with a corked bottle opener dunk shoot and a relentless invasion of paint.
There were still some warts. Like Anthony, Banchero seems to enjoy taking a tough two-pointer, and he will need to divert his shooting diet to maximize his efficiency. Scouts complained that Bancello’s patient probing style sometimes interfered with Orlando’s ball movements, and they dramatically increased his turnover when he wasn’t investigating from the top of the key. I noticed that I did.
Banchero, empowered as a lead playmaker in this setting, threw multiple laser-like passes that caused a fuss from the crowd, but committed what was called a “bad turnover” against Sacramento. Occasionally forced the problem. Banchero had the best eight prizes in the game against Kings. After breaking the defense, he repeatedly struggled to find the target.
“I’m just trying to play at my own speed,” Banchero said. “In college, it’s more difficult. There’s always help and there’s always a double, so you can’t always play at your own pace. In the league, there’s more space. I’m getting used to it and my own I’m finding a way … [The turnovers were] Really I just throw the ball away. I have to clean it. “
It is not yet known if Banchero will emerge as the best player from what he calls “underrated.” Holmgren, 20, was sensational with his debut in Salt Lake City, finishing with 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 blocks in the Utah Jazz explosion. Gonzaga’s product unveiled his complete shooting weapon by knocking down a one-legged Dirk Nowitzki-style pull-up jumper while hitting four three-pointers.
Holmgren’s offensive influence on Locets was somewhat hampered by Smith, who has the length and speed to stick to him. However, Holmgren was a ubiquitous offensive force given the 7-foot frame, ball screen settings, jumps around, cuts to the rims, working on blocks, and fighting for rebounds.
The scout quickly found a teammate with a timely pass in the bucket in a sequence that grabbed the defensive rebound, dribbled in transitions, and justified the bubbling “unicorn” talk throughout the season at Gonzaga. .. His thin 195-pound height elicited some laughter, but Holmgren was fierce in denying Houston’s attack with some stunning block shots in the second half.
Holmgren sometimes suffers from foul troubles at college and tends to be overwhelmed by traditional centers, but Minnesota’s natives have a sense of length, timing, intelligence, and a sense of blooming to the defensive player of the year. He showed his wide range of defense skills twice by finishing 12 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks against Rockets and blocking Tari Eason in the first round.
In the third quarter, Holmgren came diagonally across the paint from the left side of the free throw line, fixing the Eason layup attempt to the right side of the backboard. In the second half of the fourth, Holmgren rolled from his left baseline across the front of the rim, neatly stuffing Eason on the right side of the basket. Only a short list of NBA tycoons (I think Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis) can make both plays.
“I’m trying to fill the gaps and holes,” Holmgren said. “No matter how good your defense is, whether the game is in transition or half-court, there are disadvantages to the game. It’s long and can cover space, so it’s flexible. Can be obtained. “
Thunder’s less secretive weapon for building a winner around Holmgren is Guard Josh Giddey, a 19-year-old Australian with a great vision and a fearless approach from dribbling. Guidi and Holmgren have already made great matches on and off the court. This is an important development given that young big names often take years to adapt to professional games. The pairing looks comfortable with pick and roll and you can push the ball to finish, so both players will succeed in the transition.
“”[Holmgren] We do everything on both sides, “Giddy said. “He can stretch the floor, knock down threes, play in the ring and play in the midrange. On the defensive side, he protects the ring like I’ve never seen before. . I know he has my back for that purpose. “
However, it was Smith who got the final laugh at Thunder when he successfully defended Guidi’s coast-to-shore drive with a buzzer for a fierce victory. When he was working to find his foothold in the Houston attack, the 19-year-old Auburn product welcomed the toughest defensive match and responded with good positioning, concentration, and competitiveness. ..
“That’s my biggest attribute,” Smith said. “It can guard multiple positions, protect the rims, and make things difficult for players who play like me. For those who can shoot and go elsewhere, I’m the best opponent. I feel like a fighting nightmare for anyone of that caliber. “
Like the Draft Prospect’s top tier, Banchero, Holmgren, and Smith will be linked in the discussion over the years. Murray, who scored 20 points against Magic, and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey, who was impressed before his ankle was injured on Saturday, also try to join the conversation. Here in Las Vegas, the first checkpoint of their professional career made a strong first impression overall. I couldn’t see the bust.
