Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero? Shaq, TNT Crew Say 'Yes!'
The NBA All-Star starters were announced on Thursday, and that spurred the guys on Inside the NBA to talk about who they believe should be a part of the reserves.
Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O'Neal all selected who they believed should be an All-Star. and they all agreed that the Orlando Magic's star, Paolo Banchero should be a part of the Eastern Conference reserves.
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The Magic have not had an All-Star since 2019 when Nikola Vucevic was selected, and this could the year that all changes. Banchero has been a huge reason why the Magic currently has a winning record and is in the playoff picture at the moment with the eighth seed, as he has grown tremendously since last season.
When you look at his point averages, they haven't changed all that much, going from 20 last year to 22.5 so far this season. But it is when you look at his percentages and his other stats that you realize just how much the young forward has improved. His assist numbers have gone up from 3.7 to 4.8, and both his shooting numbers from the field as well as from three have improved from his rookie season.
If Banchero continues this kind of improvement year in and year out, he will become a consistent All-Star, and maybe even a starter. Many believe the young forward is one of the future faces of the game, and that will be confirmed if he is selected to his first All-Star game this season.
Banchero and the rest of the Magic will be back in action tonight against the injury-ridden Memphis Grizzlies in FedExForum. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. ET
