The Orlando Magic are currently a league worst 5-20, placing them in fifteenth place in the Eastern Conference. Orlando won the draft lottery last year and had the number one overall pick. PF selected Paolo Banchero from Duke.
He is averaging (21.7 points), (6.8 rebounds) and (3.8 assists) per game on the season. He leads the team in scoring and minutes played (34.4) this season. The Magic have struggled to pick up wins, but they should be pleased with the way Banchero is developing.
NBA betting sites have him at (-375) to win ROY this season. He’s highly talented for a rookie and there’s no question why he was the number one overall pick. Banchero is a prolific player in the post, shooting 45 percent from the field overall.
Including last night, Paolo Banchero has scored 20+ points in 16 games this season. pic.twitter.com/hbHH6GoCpF
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 3, 2022
Magic rookie Paolo Banchero will learn a lot in the NBA.
Banchero spoke to The Associated Press for the second part of his diary. The last time he spoke to them was at the beginning of the season.
“I’d say the first few weeks of the NBA season, it was a lot of learning, a lot of learning, on the floor, off the floor, routines, learning what works, what kind of routine works for me, things like that. And then just learning how this league is, how to bring it every night. You have to learn how to win. It’s not just what he gives you.” – Paolo Banchero
He talked about how the NBA was different for him in many ways. Banchero comes off a winning streak at Duke that has the worst record in the NBA after eight weeks. The 20-year-old had been used to winning his whole life and had to adjust to losing more than he wanted ever since.
“Everything off the court is smooth sailing and everyone loves what we do. It’s just trying to figure out a way to bring that camaraderie to the court, to the games, and helping each other win. And we’ve dealt with many other things, injuries and whatnot. We just want to see it healthy. Then we can try and build it. – Paolo Banchero
It’s only his first season in the NBA and it will take time for him and the Magic to become a playoff team. For now, all Banchero can do is continue to prepare the same way every night. Just keep giving 100 percent so at the end of the day at the end of the season he knows he gave it his all no matter what the record is.