Paolo Banchero

[zimpy27]

I think when look at a number 1 guy you need to see that he can have elite impact on a game.

Can he have the ball in his hands to make game-winning plays? Can he make game-winning stops? Is his offense so good that he will distort the defense? Can he get his offense going regardless of the opponent? Is his defense so good that it alters all opponents game plans in some way?

Does Paolo have a Yes for any of these, or at least does it look like it will be a yes?

[NYPiston]

I see him as a Julius Randle lite but with much better size and he's already so good, Julius wasn't close to this good coming out. So maybe something like a rich man's Julius Randle.

His passing is already so good. The thing that Sabonis has is he's a lot like John Stockton. He's not only a great lead passer but great out of screens and he's elite screener and at screen assists.

His passing has noticeably improved since early in the season and I'd say that he's putting in more of a defensive effort especially on isolations (still kind of lost in team defense). If he can expand his game beyond just an ISO scoring role, his stock will go up even further.

The fascinating thing about literally all the top prospects outside of Sharpe is that they all play for elite teams so we'll get a good look at all of them on the biggest stage in the next two months. Should be fun for draft gurus and fans like me of teams that will end up with a high pick.

[SeattleJazzFan]

For those who have Banchero as the #1 or in the conversation: in which area do you see a chance for him to become elite?

To me he just seems to be fairly good at a lot of different aspects but I don't see an elite trait. He is great at some things compared to 5s, but his shortcomings make him positionally locked to be a 4, I'm afraid. And compared to other 4s, his skill-set doesn't really stand out anymore – at least not when compared to the very best at that position.

Good prospects and I see him as a good NBA player, but I don't yet see someone I'd feel great about at the very top of the draft (let's say top 3 in this draft, top 5 in a better draft).

You’re asking the wrong question. The question, if you want to draft him #1 overall is can he become a 25, 9 and 5 guy. I believe the answer is yes - he has that kind of potential.

Does that mean he’s elite in any one area? Not necessarily, but you have multiple 24-26 ppg, 8-10 rpg, 4-5 apg seasons, you are a multiple time all star and your #1 overall draft slot is justified.

What if his archetype makes building a winning roster harder than a few of the other high lotto guys? Does production require more nuance then?

that's a valid question. i think the key with him will be scoring efficiency and continuing to develop as a playmaker. if he can be efficient with his scoring and make guys better i think you can build a winning roster with or around him.

[SelfishPlayer]

Is Banchero another Jabari Parker, Derrick Williams, Michael Beasely, Marvin Williams, Terrence Jones, Julius Randle? The reward doesn't outweigh the risk with this sort of prospect. Why must there always be this sort of PF projected and selected so high? Who are the HOF types that played in the last 20 years who are the successful version of this prospect?

[Kobblehead]

I feel like Knicks-era Julius Randle is the best possible outcome for Banchero. And that would require Banchero to transition into being a willing shooter from three.

I don't think he makes enough plays defensively to be a high impact franchise guy. He'll just be a scoring F with some okay rebounding and plus positional passing.

[Magic_Johnny12]

I really like the Carlos Boozer comparisons, someone that will be a fringe all-star putting up 20/10 but really isn't a franchise player.

[BostonCouchGM]

Is Banchero another Jabari Parker, Derrick Williams, Michael Beasely, Marvin Williams, Terrence Jones, Julius Randle? The reward doesn't outweigh the risk with this sort of prospect. Why must there always be this sort of PF projected and selected so high? Who are the HOF types that played in the last 20 years who are the successful version of this prospect?

Giannis is the mold and there’s been many great 3/4 guys like Banchero that have thrived for good teams. MPJ, Siakam, Simmons, Tatum, Love, Griffin, Randle…guys who have been derailed by injuries like Isaac, Williams, and Bagley…solid starters like Markkanen, and newly drafted guys with immense potential like Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Kuminga, Wagner, etc.

[Duke4life831]

Is Banchero another Jabari Parker, Derrick Williams, Michael Beasely, Marvin Williams, Terrence Jones, Julius Randle? The reward doesn't outweigh the risk with this sort of prospect. Why must there always be this sort of PF projected and selected so high? Who are the HOF types that played in the last 20 years who are the successful version of this prospect?

Giannis is the mold and there’s been many great 3/4 guys like Banchero that have thrived for good teams. MPJ, Siakam, Simmons, Tatum, Love, Griffin, Randle…guys who have been derailed by injuries like Isaac, Williams, and Bagley…solid starters like Markkanen, and newly drafted guys with immense potential like Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Kuminga, Wagner, etc.

Im honestly confused with this post. You just mentioned a lot of players that have absolutely nothing in common except for seeing minutes at the 4.

MPJ and Simmons: An elite shooter who is a horrible defensive player and one of the least willing passers in the game. Vs an elite defensive player who is a great passer and one of the least willing jump shooters in the game.

Giannis and Love...

I dont think anyone doubts you can be successful and a 4 in the NBA. Im honestly just lost at the point of the post.

[God Squad]

Is Banchero another Jabari Parker, Derrick Williams, Michael Beasely, Marvin Williams, Terrence Jones, Julius Randle? The reward doesn't outweigh the risk with this sort of prospect. Why must there always be this sort of PF projected and selected so high? Who are the HOF types that played in the last 20 years who are the successful version of this prospect?

Giannis is the mold and there’s been many great 3/4 guys like Banchero that have thrived for good teams. MPJ, Siakam, Simmons, Tatum, Love, Griffin, Randle…guys who have been derailed by injuries like Isaac, Williams, and Bagley…solid starters like Markkanen, and newly drafted guys with immense potential like Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Kuminga, Wagner, etc.

Im honestly confused with this post. You just mentioned a lot of players that have absolutely nothing in common except for seeing minutes at the 4.

MPJ and Simmons: An elite shooter who is a horrible defensive player and one of the least willing passers in the game. Vs an elite defensive player who is a great passer and one of the least willing jump shooters in the game.

Giannis and Love...

I dont think anyone doubts you can be successful and a 4 in the NBA. I'm honestly just lost at the point of the post.

I think he's trying to give examples of players who are 6'8 - 6'10 who play either forward position? But he's not taking into account that most if not all the players mentioned play drastically differently. Some are two-way players, some are one dimensional and others are situational guys.

But yeah I'm not sure what the need was to compare those players when they don't play/ or project to Banchero, other than Jabari Parker and Randle IMO. But I'm pretty low on Banchero, so I'll leave that conversation to you guys.

[Goldbum]

If he can be a plus passer/floor spacer at the 4 and average defensively then he sort of reminds me of a non head-case Derrick Coleman. That's a borderline elite prospect, but who knows if he can learn to defend the position and drag his jump shot out another 6 feet...

[Duke4life831]

Giannis is the mold and there’s been many great 3/4 guys like Banchero that have thrived for good teams. MPJ, Siakam, Simmons, Tatum, Love, Griffin, Randle…guys who have been derailed by injuries like Isaac, Williams, and Bagley…solid starters like Markkanen, and newly drafted guys with immense potential like Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Kuminga, Wagner, etc.

Im honestly confused with this post. You just mentioned a lot of players that have absolutely nothing in common except for seeing minutes at the 4.

MPJ and Simmons: An elite shooter who is a horrible defensive player and one of the least willing passers in the game. Vs an elite defensive player who is a great passer and one of the least willing jump shooters in the game.

Giannis and Love...

I dont think anyone doubts you can be successful and a 4 in the NBA. I'm honestly just lost at the point of the post.

I think he's trying to give examples of players who are 6'8 - 6'10 who play either forward position? But he's not taking into account that most if not all the players mentioned play drastically differently. Some are two-way players, some are one dimensional and others are situational guys.

But yeah I'm not sure what the need was to compare those players when they don't play/ or project to Banchero, other than Jabari Parker and Randle IMO. But I'm pretty low on Banchero, so I'll leave that conversation to you guys.

But that isnt describing Paolo or many other guys that he mentioned. Love has never been a 3 in his life, same for Bagley and many other of those guys. And there is nothing about Paolo's game that should lead anyone to believe he will be a 3/4 in the NBA.

I feel like many are still basing Paolo's perimeter skills based off his high school highlights. Because there has been nothing about him in a Duke uniform that shows a well versed perimeter game. And unlike Jalen Johnson from last year, this isnt on K for mishandling Paolo. K put Jalen in the dunker spot the majority of the short time last year and that just made no sense at all. While with Paolo, K has given him full reign to do whatever he'd like. He gets plenty of touches out on the perimeter and the vast majority of the time it goes bad.

The hope with Paolo isnt can he play the 3 in the NBA, it is can he become a good enough interior defender to play the 5.

[SNPA]

Bigger Carmelo vibes anyone?

[Duke4life831]

Bigger Carmelo vibes anyone?

I will say even though I bashed him pretty hard for his game against UNC where it was pretty much just 1 on 1 hero mode all game long.

Paolo for the vast majority of the season has seemed to have no issue buying into a team first mentality. Melo averaged 2 assists per game on 17.5 shots, while Paolo is just shy of 4 assists per game on 14.3 shots in conference play. He's shown to be a much more willing passer and team system friendly player than prime Melo.

These are my 2 fears with Paolo

Offensively I think he's great 15ft and in. Good mid range jumper, physical and good touch around the rim. Is a good passer from the elbow as well. His offense kind of falls apart beyond that though. Again he cant dribble left to save his life. The form on the jumper falls apart as well, and his passing gets pretty inconsistent as well.

Then defensively, I dont know what to expect from him. He has been surrounded with big physical wing defenders and an elite defensive 5 all year. I will say as the season has gone on, teams seem to be better at picking him out in the PnR and it hasnt been good to watch.

But ya overall Im not too afraid of him being this ball stopping black hole on offense. My bigger fear is how long will it take for him to extend his skills past 15ft (will those skills ever become elite) and can he defend out in space consistently.

[clyde21]

i wish he was playable as a legit 5 in the NBA, that would unlock so much for him positionally and his game. maybe he will be at one point but that's probably the biggest ? for me.

[MemphisX]

I hope he is great but I have my doubts. Hope he goes to a competent organization because he is going to need a good roster around him.

[BostonCouchGM]

If he has any type of work ethic he's Tatum 2.0. with more upside. If not, Tobias Harris is his floor

[BostonCouchGM]

Is Banchero another Jabari Parker, Derrick Williams, Michael Beasely, Marvin Williams, Terrence Jones, Julius Randle? The reward doesn't outweigh the risk with this sort of prospect. Why must there always be this sort of PF projected and selected so high? Who are the HOF types that played in the last 20 years who are the successful version of this prospect?

Giannis is the mold and there’s been many great 3/4 guys like Banchero that have thrived for good teams. MPJ, Siakam, Simmons, Tatum, Love, Griffin, Randle…guys who have been derailed by injuries like Isaac, Williams, and Bagley…solid starters like Markkanen, and newly drafted guys with immense potential like Jalen Johnson, Barnes, Kuminga, Wagner, etc.

Im honestly confused with this post. You just mentioned a lot of players that have absolutely nothing in common except for seeing minutes at the 4.

MPJ and Simmons: An elite shooter who is a horrible defensive player and one of the least willing passers in the game. Vs an elite defensive player who is a great passer and one of the least willing jump shooters in the game.

Giannis and Love...

I dont think anyone doubts you can be successful and a 4 in the NBA. Im honestly just lost at the point of the post.

You're at a loss at MY point? Yikes You literally asked why this sort of PF keeps getting taken so high given the risk/reward. I provided a slew of examples of PF difference makers which would be why teams keep taking them. What is so hard to understand? Good Lord

As prospects you don't know whether they'll play defense or not, whether they'll establish a jumper, etc. You're drafting the potential based on size and skills. MPJ wasn't an elite shooter in college. But he was a very skilled 6'10" athlete who could rebound. I'm sure they were hoping he'd be able to shoot like they were hoping he'd be able to defend. Nobody would have thought Simmons would flat out refuse to shoot jumpers. All we can surmise is if they have the size, athletic ability, desire and skill set to potentially do it at the next level. And the successes are why guys like Banchero are taken high. Seems pretty obvious. You being "lost at the point of the post" is cringe. Do better

[God Squad]

Well that escalated quickly.

[God Squad]

i wish he was playable as a legit 5 in the NBA, that would unlock so much for him positionally and his game. maybe he will be at one point but that's probably the biggest ? for me.

If he was able to play the 5 (strongly doubt it) it'd alleviate a lot of my concerns I have with him defensively. It'd even change his ceiling I have for him, from Julius Randle to a variation of Demarcus Cousins.

[SNPA]

i wish he was playable as a legit 5 in the NBA, that would unlock so much for him positionally and his game. maybe he will be at one point but that's probably the biggest ? for me.

If he was able to play the 5 (strongly doubt it) it'd alleviate a lot of my concerns I have with him defensively. It'd even change his ceiling I have for him, from Julius Randle to a variation of Demarcus Cousins.

Agree. Five is his ideal position.

Why can’t he play five at the next level? What stops that?