Orlando Magic Star Paolo Banchero 'Flying Under The Radar'?
ORLANDO - Even with the Orlando Magic's start to the season, has one of their best players, Paolo Banchero, not been getting the respect he deserves?
CBS Sports believes that to be the case despite his and the Magic's strong start to the season.
"On the one hand, you have the thrilling exploits of Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren from this year's rookie class, and on the other, you have the disappointment surrounding 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham," CBS Sports writes. "Caught in the middle is Banchero, who is flying under the radar on the national scale, despite being the reigning Rookie of the Year and a key figure for one of the league's best teams."
Paolo Banchero driving to the basket.
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
The Magic's second-year forward and reigning rookie of the year is averaging 19.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game and has picked up his play after a slow start. Banchero was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week last week, after averaging 23.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Orlando (14-6) went 4-0 that week en route to a nine-game winning streak, which tied the longest in franchise history. Banchero's play earned the praise of the Magic's head coach Jamal Mosley.
"We've said it time and time again, his ability to make others better, his fight to win, just making the quick decisions, the easy decisions, the right decisions, that's why the ball is in his hand a ton, trying to find the right play and working on playing off of each other," Mosley said.
While flying under the radar isn't a bad thing, it's fair to wonder how long that will be the case. If Banchero continues to play well and Orlando, who is currently second in the Eastern Conference, remains one of the better teams in the NBA, he should become the household name that his play has warranted.
The Magic will be back in action on Wednesday when the team heads to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to face the Cleveland Cavaliers (11-9) at 7 p.m. ET.
