Magic rookie Paolo Banchero reacts to first preseason game
No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero on Monday made his unofficial NBA debut as the Orlando Magic faced the Memphis Grizzlies to tip off their preseason schedule.
Banchero tallied eight points, two rebounds, two steals, one assist and one blocked shot in the 109-97 loss on the road. He finished by shooting 2-of-9 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line in nearly 24 minutes of work.
The Grizzlies forced 25 turnovers and held the Magic to 39.3% shooting from the field as a team. Ja Morant led all scorers with 22 points in 21 minutes of action, while Santi Aldama had 21 points and Brandon Clarke added 13 points.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley liked the challenge for his team.
I really believe this was a great test for all of these young guys to understand the level of physicality, the level of attention to detail and the ability this team played. I thought it was great for Paolo to experience that, the physicality of the game; how the defense was shifting a little bit faster. He is going to continue to grow, continue to learn and look at it. He was not afraid. He stepped into each moment. There were certain things he could do and change and we’ll have to watch the film.
Banchero got on the board early in the contest, picking up a steal on defense. He then took it coast-to-coast and converted a tough finish over guard Desmond Bane. Later in the game, he threw down a two-handed jam over John Konchar
The 19-year-old noticed a role change in his first game compared to the college level at Duke. The Magic will be asking more from him this season, and that will take some adjusting.
I think, for me, it was playing out of the pick and roll so much and how much I was doing that. Either setting a screen or coming off it. In college, a lot of it was isolations so that’s what I’m used to making my reads out of. I gotta get used to making a lot more reads out of the pick and roll as a handler and as the roller and speeding that up. I feel like I made my reads a lot slower than usual so just getting used to being in that position and making the reads.
the steal + the finish 🤌
first bucket for @Pp_doesit pic.twitter.com/NhTN4lSvDb
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) October 4, 2022
The game was the first of five for the Magic during the preseason. The team viewed it as essentially the fifth practice of training camp after having two days canceled last week due to Hurricane Ian. They will look to regroup and return to practice on Wednesday.
Orlando faces the San Antonio Spurs next on Thursday.
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