Paolo Banchero

tmorgan · Post #401 » by **tmorgan** » Sun Jul 10, 2022 8:33 am

I like that Paolo’s getting all that (and more than) he can handle in terms of SL responsibility. Results are mixed, but having him try it is smart.

I mean, how many 6’10” 250 dudes are bringing it up and trying to run offense in OT of any game? Fun to see.

shotsquatch · Post #402 » by **shotsquatch** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:20 am

Reminds me of Lamar Odom.

Big J · Post #403 » by **Big J** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:29 am

shotsquatch wrote:Reminds me of Lamar Odom.

Odom was way more passive. Paolo is like an alpha Odom.

SelfishPlayer · Post #404 » by **SelfishPlayer** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 7:06 pm

FrightCoward wrote:
SelfishPlayer wrote:
NO-KG-AI wrote:
Well, Liddell was taken with the same pick as Jokic

I know it's trolling, but would you be willing to bet that EJ Liddell never gets a stop or blocks the shot of an all NBA or better player?

Liddell first needs to earn a single NBA minute.

Even if he never plays a single minute in the NBA, it’s still idiotic logic. Guarantee you Shaq, David Robinson, Hakeem, or any hall of fame big who played college ball at some point in their careers got blocked by a stiff who didn’t even make the league, lol. It’s just dumb, pure and simple.

It doesn't look good for EJ earning those NBA minutes...

Post #405 » by **Duke4life831** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 7:18 pm

SelfishPlayer wrote:
FrightCoward wrote:
SelfishPlayer wrote:
Liddell first needs to earn a single NBA minute.

Even if he never plays a single minute in the NBA, it’s still idiotic logic. Guarantee you Shaq, David Robinson, Hakeem, or any hall of fame big who played college ball at some point in their careers got blocked by a stiff who didn’t even make the league, lol. It’s just dumb, pure and simple.

It doesn't look good for EJ earning those NBA minutes...

Really you come back to make this argument? Your original take on this was dumb enough as it is. You gotta come back with doubling down the dumb arguments? Liddell tearing his ACL helps your original argument how exactly?

clyde21 · Post #406 » by **clyde21** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 7:29 pm

SelfishPlayer wrote:
FrightCoward wrote:
SelfishPlayer wrote:
Liddell first needs to earn a single NBA minute.

Even if he never plays a single minute in the NBA, it’s still idiotic logic. Guarantee you Shaq, David Robinson, Hakeem, or any hall of fame big who played college ball at some point in their careers got blocked by a stiff who didn’t even make the league, lol. It’s just dumb, pure and simple.

It doesn't look good for EJ earning those NBA minutes...

weak af, dude had an ACL injury.

OrlMagic05 · Post #407 » by **OrlMagic05** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 8:29 pm

SOUL wrote:DroseReturnChi would be all first-team troll in the NBA. How he can never get banned is a testament to his skill.

I was thinking the SAME EXACT THING! Every time I see DroseReturnChi I already know theres some form of troll argument going on.

SelfishPlayer · Post #408 » by **SelfishPlayer** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 9:00 pm

Duke4life831 wrote:
SelfishPlayer wrote:
FrightCoward wrote:
Even if he never plays a single minute in the NBA, it’s still idiotic logic. Guarantee you Shaq, David Robinson, Hakeem, or any hall of fame big who played college ball at some point in their careers got blocked by a stiff who didn’t even make the league, lol. It’s just dumb, pure and simple.

It doesn't look good for EJ earning those NBA minutes...

Really you come back to make this argument? Your original take on this was dumb enough as it is. You gotta come back with doubling down the dumb arguments? Liddell tearing his ACL helps your original argument how exactly?

Stop following me around this message board if my posts are dumb.

Upperclass · Post #409 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 11:48 am

Upperclass wrote:
Duke4life831 wrote:
Upperclass wrote:They traded Aaron Gordon, to draft a slower, less athletic aaron gordon

Not to pile on, but ya this is a pretty rough comparison. They really are nothing alike.

Gordon: 6'8 in shoes, was drafted off of freakish athleticism alone pretty much.
Paolo: 6'10, isnt known to be a freak athlete (not a bad one), is very skilled (especially 18ft and in).

The first step Paolo takes on a NBA court, he will already be a drastically more skilled player than Gordon is today.

But what makes him skilled other than people that keep saying he's skilled?

He didn't finish amazingly well inside in college, didn't shoot the 3 well, doesn't shoot free throws well.. He is a good mid-range shooter, is a good handler (who also turned it over alot in big games), with solid vision.. but with zero quickness and isn't a great perimeter defender (he had Mark inside so who knows about post D) or perimeter shooter (not the fastest release).

He just seems like a big dude, who had immense H.S. hype, in a weak draft. And yes, he has guard skills.. but in a slow 6'10 250 pound package, does that matter much? He isnt Chris Webber who had a 7'3+ wingspan.
You have to take him in the top 3 no doubt, but just an odd choice over a 7-footer with length and another 6'10 dude who's one of the best shooters his age in the country. He also would've fit better with a running team in the Rockets, next to a good passing big in Sengun, vs Carter who hes really redundant with.. and he will.. most likely.. play on the ball for the Magic (him and Carter wont be in the post).. similar to Aaron Gordon, as was my orginal point.

FWIW Gordon shot better all of the floor in college as well

Checking in on Paolo..

FarBeyondDriven · Post #410 » by **FarBeyondDriven** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 12:46 pm

Upperclass wrote:
Upperclass wrote:
Duke4life831 wrote:Not to pile on, but ya this is a pretty rough comparison. They really are nothing alike.

Gordon: 6'8 in shoes, was drafted off of freakish athleticism alone pretty much.
Paolo: 6'10, isnt known to be a freak athlete (not a bad one), is very skilled (especially 18ft and in).

The first step Paolo takes on a NBA court, he will already be a drastically more skilled player than Gordon is today.

But what makes him skilled other than people that keep saying he's skilled?

He didn't finish amazingly well inside in college, didn't shoot the 3 well, doesn't shoot free throws well.. He is a good mid-range shooter, is a good handler (who also turned it over alot in big games), with solid vision.. but with zero quickness and isn't a great perimeter defender (he had Mark inside so who knows about post D) or perimeter shooter (not the fastest release).

He just seems like a big dude, who had immense H.S. hype, in a weak draft. And yes, he has guard skills.. but in a slow 6'10 250 pound package, does that matter much? He isnt Chris Webber who had a 7'3+ wingspan.
You have to take him in the top 3 no doubt, but just an odd choice over a 7-footer with length and another 6'10 dude who's one of the best shooters his age in the country. He also would've fit better with a running team in the Rockets, next to a good passing big in Sengun, vs Carter who hes really redundant with.. and he will.. most likely.. play on the ball for the Magic (him and Carter wont be in the post).. similar to Aaron Gordon, as was my orginal point.

FWIW Gordon shot better all of the floor in college as well

Checking in on Paolo..

22/8/5 at 23 y/o and has led his team to the playoffs the last two seasons despite the Magic dealing with a crazy amount of injuries. Magic are currently the 7th seed. Hope that helps

JMAC3 · Post #411 » by **JMAC3** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 1:47 pm

This convo is fun, I hope it continues to get totally out of hand with the hate on Paolo so we can revisit in a year or two.

MotownMadness · Post #412 » by **MotownMadness** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 1:53 pm

He’ll figure it out

ReggiesKnicks · Post #413 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 2:48 pm

JMAC3 wrote:This convo is fun, I hope it continues to get totally out of hand with the hate on Paolo so we can revisit in a year or two.

I think it is fair to criticize what Paolo has shown so far, given he was a #1 overall pick.

Paolo's first 4 seasons:

BPM: -1.5, 1.3, 3.5, 1.0 (Currently)
TS+: -140, -113, -54, -44 (Currently)
+/- (On/Off): -4.5 (-4.4), -0.3 (-7.3), -1.0 (-0.9), -0.6 (-2.6)

It's pretty mediocre for a player taken with the #1 overall pick.

But there is still hope. He is talented, has a unique combination of size, strength, and skill that very few players in the NBA possess. I think all of his criticisms in this thread are valid, but it doesn't mean Paolo needs to be written off.

The one issue or critique I would present for Paolo is his lack of linear growth.

Here are two players who have very consistent, linear growth on their path to superstardom. Both these players are 1 year older than Paolo Banchero.

Cade Cunningham (BPM)
-1.6
-0.7
0.3
3.9
6.7

Anthony Edwards (BPM)
-2.1
1.2
1.0
3.3
4.3
4.9

I wouldn't write off Paolo, but I am definitely lower on him now than I was on draft day.

Upperclass · Post #414 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 4:52 pm

noone hates Paolo.. its just everyone thinks every #1 pick is going to be a HOF, best of alltime type of player and that just isnt the case and there isnt anything wrong with taking a realistic approach to looking at a players potential arc.. the reality is that teams havent figured out when to take the best player available vs when to take the best talent and see what works.. In this case imo.. its obvious Orlando shouldve taken Chet, who wasnt as "talented" but who fit their roster and roster needs.. let Paolo fall to OKC or Houston and then fill out the of their roster with good fits.. or trade down slightly to pick Chet at 3..which is extremely tough to do in the NBA vs NFL

JMAC3 · Post #415 » by **JMAC3** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 4:57 pm

Upperclass wrote:noone hates Paolo.. its just everyone thinks every #1 pick is going to be a HOF, best of alltime type of player and that just isnt the case and there isnt anything wrong with taking a realistic approach to looking at a players potential arc.. the reality is that teams havent figured out when to take the best player available vs when to take the best talent and see what works.. In this case imo.. its obvious Orlando shouldve taken Chet, who wasnt as "talented" but who fit their roster and roster needs.. let Paolo fall to OKC or Houston and then fill out the of their roster with good fits.. or trade down slightly to pick Chet at 3..which is extremely tough to do in the NBA vs NFL

Disagree...

Chet is awesome as the 3rd banana, but if you put him on Orlando he isn't a better first option than Paolo.

Upperclass · Post #416 » by **Upperclass** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 5:21 pm

Franz is a better first option than Paolo which is the main issue imo.. They are super redundant..like the ball in the same areas.. neither can shoot.. both are usage heavy.. etc. Franz is also just a more impactful player.. Chet/Carter/Franz wouldve been a far better front court than what they currently have.. keeping in mind Chet would also be their 2nd best 3pt shooter as a center which is extremely valuable

JMAC3 · Post #417 » by **JMAC3** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 5:45 pm

Upperclass wrote:Franz is a better first option than Paolo which is the main issue imo.. They are super redundant..like the ball in the same areas.. neither can shoot.. both are usage heavy.. etc. Franz is also just a more impactful player.. Chet/Carter/Franz wouldve been a far better front court than what they currently have.. keeping in mind Chet would also be their 2nd best 3pt shooter as a center which is extremely valuable

Yeah nobody is scared of a team that Franz Wagner is the best offensive player of. If the offense isn't good with Franz and Paolo, it isn't going to be good with just Franz. Paolo has been far better in the playoffs than Franz.

Magic probably need to fire their coach, he doesn't understand offense and how to generate open threes. Hence why KCP, Bane etc all have bad shooting years playing there.

JMAC3 · Post #418 » by **JMAC3** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 5:58 pm

https://databallr.com/wowy/ORL/2026/2026/regular/high/wowy/1630532/1630591
https://databallr.com/wowy/ORL/2026/2026/regular/high/wowy/1630532/1641710

Everyone loves the on-off splits to say Paolo is terrible, yet it appears that Suggs and Black are better than Franz when you look at this.

So maybe on/off splits aren't the end all be all.

CptCrunch · Post #419 » by **CptCrunch** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 6:22 pm

Paolo is stalling but he can still turn it around. This is the perfect example of the double standards at play in the NBA media.

ReggiesKnicks · Post #420 » by **ReggiesKnicks** » Mon Feb 23, 2026 6:34 pm

JMAC3 wrote:
Upperclass wrote:noone hates Paolo.. its just everyone thinks every #1 pick is going to be a HOF, best of alltime type of player and that just isnt the case and there isnt anything wrong with taking a realistic approach to looking at a players potential arc.. the reality is that teams havent figured out when to take the best player available vs when to take the best talent and see what works.. In this case imo.. its obvious Orlando shouldve taken Chet, who wasnt as "talented" but who fit their roster and roster needs.. let Paolo fall to OKC or Houston and then fill out the of their roster with good fits.. or trade down slightly to pick Chet at 3..which is extremely tough to do in the NBA vs NFL

Disagree...

Chet is awesome as the 3rd banana, but if you put him on Orlando he isn't a better first option than Paolo.

DeMar DeRozan is a better 1st option than Draymond Green.