Magic coach Jamahl Mosley on the Rookie of the Year: ‘It’s not a race’
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been the favorite to win Rookie of the Year for much of the season, but the first-year standout may have some competition now for the award.
But the Magic don’t see it that way.
Banchero is averaging 20 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 70 games on 42.7% shooting from the field. He leads the rookie class in a number of key statistical categories, including points, field goals per game (6.7), free throws (5.5) and 30-point games (6).
However, Jalen Williams of Oklahoma City appears to be gaining steam.
He averaged 19.8 points, 6.1 rebounds 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals on 46.3% shooting from 3-point range in 15 games during the month of March. He had nine 20-point games, the most in a calendar month by a rookie in team history since Kevin Durant (March 2008).
The Rookie of the Year candidacy for Williams was highlighted by former 15-year veteran JJ Redick. He pointed out that Williams leads Banchero in some advanced metrics, such as win shares (3.1 to -0.1) and true shooting percentage (60.5% to (53%).
“I would argue that he is making a late push, and a worthy push, for Rookie of the Year,” Redick said. “If you just look at the advanced stats for Jalen Williams versus Paolo Banchero, Jalen outshines him in nearly every advanced stat, whether it is true shooting percentage, offensive win shares — where Paolo is a negative offensive win-share on Basketball-Reference — defensive win shares, win shares per-48. You could make a strong argument that Jalen Williams has had a better rookie season than Paolo Banchero counting stats aside.”
Jalen Williams has 9 20-point games in March. That is the most 20-point games in a calendar month by a Thunder/SuperSonics rookie since Kevin Durant in March 2008. pic.twitter.com/pKepl66Kdw
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 30, 2023
The roles of each player are vastly different, though. Banchero is tasked with being the go-to scorer on the Magic, while Williams has a lower usage rate on the Thunder (27.2% to 18%). The disparity in usage rate is likely a strong reason why Williams’ shooting numbers are better.
Though Williams leads Banchero in a couple of areas, the Magic, unsurprisingly, stand behind the No. 1 pick and believe he is the clear-cut choice for Rookie of the Year.
“With all due respect, I don’t necessarily think it’s even a race,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “The kid has done a great job of impacting winning, three times winning Rookie of the Month. Being able to create a different style of play throughout the entire year. From going where he was handling the ball the majority of the year to when our guards came back, he adjusted to that. Being able to keep everybody involved.
“Going through, what they say is a slow portion of the year and then bouncing right back — I think that level of resilience and toughness (stands out). Then, talking about him putting up historic numbers for what he’s done. The biggest thing for us is his ability to impact winning for where we are — plus (11 wins) from last year.”
Most 30-point games by a rookie this season:
6 — Paolo Banchero
6 — Next 3 players combined pic.twitter.com/7VzkFULJ1L— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 1, 2023
Banchero burst onto the scene this year with the Magic.
In his debut on Oct. 19, Banchero became just the third No. 1 pick to record at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James. He was the 10th player ever to reach those numbers in a debut.
He became the second player in team history to win the Rookie of the Month award three consecutive times and is attempting to become just the sixth rookie in the last 50 seasons to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The arrival of Banchero has certainly changed the direction of the franchise. He has impressed the coaching staff and those players around him and the future appears to be bright in Orlando, as a result.
“I think you can just see how our team is winning, especially from last year to this year,” Markelle Fultz said. “Obviously, there are a lot of guys that contributed to that but picking him up was a big part of that. I don’t think there is really any discussion about (Rookie of the Year) but, of course, people gotta vote.”
