Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero throughout a latest look on ESPN’s First Take declared his staff a darkish horse within the Jap Convention. He asserted that the Magic have what it takes to compete with powerhouses like Jalen Brunson’s New York Knicks, the reigning champions Boston Celtics, Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia Sixers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks.
His confidence stems from the staff’s vital enchancment over the previous two seasons, which included a big 13-win bounce in his second 12 months as knowledgeable. Banchero additionally highlighted the addition of veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Denver Nuggets, as his presence brings championship expertise and taking pictures prowess to the staff.
We’re proper there with (Boston, Philadelphia, New York and others). I bear in mind final 12 months; we began the 12 months off as a top-3, top-2 seed and everyone thought it was a fluke. Everyone thought we have been going to be a Play-In staff and drop out of the highest of the East, however we completed sturdy and obtained the fifth seed – and had an opportunity to actually seize the two-seed on the finish of the season.
Paolo Banchero stated
The Magic’s younger core, led by Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner, has gained helpful playoff expertise and is poised for additional progress. There’s little doubt they’ve discovered from their seven-game sequence loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers final season and can be roaring to go.
