Magic Rookie Paolo Banchero a 'Matchup Nightmare', Says Chauncey Billups
ORLANDO - Paolo Banchero continues to be on a tear for his rookie year and he's picking up fans along the way.
The Orlando Magic's No. 1 pick has even found another wind in his rookie season, scoring 25 or more points in three of his last four games, including last night in a loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups praised Banchero for his early successes in the NBA.
"I'm impressed every time I see him play," Billups said. "He seems to have a ton of confidence out there and he scores at all three levels. Even though he doesn't shoot a ton of threes, he can make them. He's just so big. He handles the ball like a point guard, which puts you in a lot of different tough predicaments with him handling and coming off pick-and-rolls with small guys setting it ... He's just kind of a matchup nightmare."
A matchup nightmare, indeed.
Banchero plays mostly on the perimeter, which disallows big men his size at 6-10 to guard him. That means the players usually guarding him are smaller than he is, and Banchero takes advantage. He's learning how, and he's only 20 years old.
In the first half during the loss against Portland, Banchero made his first seven shots from the field to the tune of 16 points. He made just two of his last 11 shots, but that's a perfect metaphor for where he and the Magic currently are in the rebuild.
The talent is there and the potential is endless, and once he's able to figure it out and become more consistent, he'll be even more of a nightmare for the rest of the league and a dream come true for the Magic.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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