Paolo Banchero’s key improvements lead to NBA All-Star debut for Magic forward
Even as Magic forward Franz Wagner racked up 34 points against the Spurs less than two weeks ago at Kia Center, San Antonio continued to blitze and double-team Paolo Banchero throughout the second half.
In one such instance late in the third quarter, Wagner tossed the ball to Banchero, who caught it around the free throw line and immediately was bombarded by multiple defenders.
It allowed Banchero to pass the ball back to Wagner, who then took advantage of the attention garnered by his teammate and drove to the basket for a layup.
The assist was Banchero’s 6th in a game where he served as more of a playmaker than a scorer — totaling just 16 points, a number below his season average (23.0). Nonetheless, it was Banchero whom the Spurs put more focus on defensively despite Wagner’s efficient evening (13-of-17 shooting) against them.
That’s the life these days for Banchero, who regularly gets doubled and even tripled by opposing teams.
The Magic’s leading scorer and reigning Rookie of the Year is often the focal point of an opponent’s game plan, and he’s been able to overcome that challenge during his second year in the league, which is part of why he’s participating in his first NBA All-Star game on Sunday (TNT, 8).
“The different coverages — doubles, triples, blitzes, best defender — I’m getting the best matchup every night,” he told reporters Saturday during All-Star media availability in Indianapolis. “I take pride in it, though. I think of it as a sign of respect. I love going out there and seeing who’s guarding me.”
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Despite the extra attention he’s received on the court, Banchero’s stats haven’t dropped off. In fact, he’s improved in nearly every aspect compared to his rookie campaign.
Banchero’s numbers 2022 vs. 2023
Points: 20.0 — 23.0
FG%: 42.7% — 46.2%
3P%: 29.8% — 36.5%
Assists: 3.7 — 5.3
Steals: 0.8 — 1.1
Of the key areas where Banchero has made a jump, it’s his ability to find and pass to open teammates such as Wagner that he feels he’s improved the most in more than halfway through his sophomore season.
His 5.3 assists rank tied for 34th league-wide and are a team-high. He’s dished out 10-plus assists three times, including a career-high 11 assists on Jan. 5 at defending champion Denver.
“I’ve grown by really reading the game and realizing where my opportunities come from night in and night out,” Banchero recently told the Sentinel. “With the way teams are guarding me, doubles, whatever it is, loading the paint, I’ve got to be more specific about where I pick my spots, how I get to my spots. And also, ‘How do I make them pay with the pass? How do I find guys and make reads?’
“I’ve gotten a lot better in that aspect — reading the game and manipulating it.”
Although he leads the Magic (30-25) in assists, Banchero still remains the team’s top option on the court. His 29.1% usage rate sits just outside the top 10 in the league for those who have played in at least 55 games this season. He accounts for 28.5% of the Magic’s points on a game-by-game basis.
He’s led (or tied) the team in scoring 30 times, in rebounding 18 times and in assists 27 times. He has scored in double figures 53 times, 20-plus points 37 times, 30-plus points nine times and 40-plus points twice.
“If you’re going to be the No. 1 option, you’ve got to be consistent,” Banchero said Saturday. “Your team, your coaches got to be able to count on you every night.
“That’s something I’ve really improved on this year, just being consistent night in and night out.”
Email Jason Beede at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on X, known as Twitter, at @therealBeede.
