Paolo Banchero believes the Magic needs to be within the dialog with the Jap Convention’s high groups, he declared on ESPN’s First Take (hat tip to Dan Savage of NBA.com).
“We really feel like we’re proper there,” the Magic’s star ahead stated. “We’re proper there with all these (elite groups within the East). I keep in mind final 12 months, we began the 12 months off as a top-two, top-three seed and everyone thought it was a fluke. Everyone thought we have been going to be a play-in workforce and drop out the highest of the East. We completed sturdy and obtained the fifth seed and had an opportunity to essentially seize the 2 seed on the finish of the season. We have been proper there final 12 months.”
Orlando completed with a 47-35 regular-season mark. The Magic have been eradicated by the Cavaliers within the opening spherical of the playoffs.
The very best-of-seven sequence went the gap and Banchero confirmed why he was named an All-Star in February. He averaged 27.0 factors, 8.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.1 steals in the course of the postseason.
Banchero considered it as a studying expertise.
“I discovered the right way to type of sluggish the sport down within the playoffs,” he stated. “The primary two video games of the sequence in Cleveland, I felt somewhat sped up. I turned the ball over loads. From Video games 1 and a couple of to Recreation 3, I feel that’s the place I made that leap, that adjustment and began to essentially sluggish the sport down. I began to be actually intentional (and) decide my spots on the ground to attain and playmake. I additionally discovered that it’s important to be in elite form – not solely bodily, however mentally (so as) to cope with a seven-game sequence. It’s enjoyable to go towards the identical workforce time and again, but it surely’s additionally an enormous problem. I feel that’s one thing I took and will certainly use for subsequent 12 months.”
The Magic needs to be a extra harmful playoff workforce with the addition of capturing guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Orlando introduced within the former Nuggets guard on a three-year, $66M deal, one of many greatest free-agent signings this summer season.
“Getting KCP goes to assist us loads,” Banchero stated. “That’s a man that’s received two championships within the final 5 seasons. He’s been round a number of the biggest (gamers) of all-time. So, he’s going to have the ability to come out and make an enormous distinction for us. (Additionally), we’re a extremely younger workforce and getting that playoff expertise (and) a top-five seed final 12 months (offers us) numerous momentum heading into subsequent season.”
Banchero, who doesn’t flip 22 till November, has lived as much as his billing as the highest total decide in 2022. Orlando shocked many individuals by selecting Banchero at that spot after his one-and-done season with Duke.
He’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension subsequent summer season and it’s a lock that he’ll get a max provide from the Magic.
“Orlando took an opportunity on me after they drafted me, and I’m ceaselessly grateful for that,” Banchero stated. “I give them my love and respect for that as a result of no person knew that I used to be going to go primary. I didn’t know I used to be going to go primary. So, they put the belief in me to take that probability and take me primary. After that, I felt prefer it was my job to assist them attain heights that haven’t been reached in a very long time … We’re attempting to take (an enormous) leap subsequent 12 months and maintain taking it one degree at a time.”
Banchero’s look on the ESPN present will be accessed right here.
