Is Paolo Banchero a Superstar level talent?

[Godymas]

His poise coming into his rookie season was unparalleled. Then his sophomore year he took a jump and improved all around to be an All Star selection. Then he makes the playoffs and he’s competing with Donovan Mitchell for best player in the series.

And I think back to that draft where no one had any idea who should have been the #1 overall pick that year. The odds were Jabari Smith and then at the last minute it became Banchero.

And honestly, thinking back to Banchero, the biggest shock for him as a rookie was the actual physical size he had. I honestly had no idea how big he was.

I mean he is truthfully almost Giannis like in terms of his physical assets. 6’10 and 250 lbs and he isn’t like Zion, the dude jacked, he is rock solid, like legitimately could murder people with his bare hands type of intimidating size.

For some reason, prior to his rookie year, probably because he was posing next to Chet, I thought he was more of like a standard 6’7 Jayson Tatum type of wing. No he’s legitimately a physical freak.

Then there’s his game, he is about as skilled as any 20 year old might ever have been in the history of basketball. He can playmake, iso score, play defense, get steals, blocks, rebounds. I know this sounds crazy, but he’s almost like the perfect version of what Kuzma dreams of being.

[Blazing_royale]

No

[UcanUwill]

He is without doubt superstar talent in my book, how is he not?

[DaGawd]

if he stays on his current trajectory yes. he has all the physical tools and ability

[Drakeem]

I consider a superstar to be an ATG talent, top 3 MVP voting year in year out, fighting for the best player in the league.

Generally a superstar needs to be elite at scoring, and either elite or great at a second thing, either being defense or the ability to playmake. While I think Paolo can be one of the best scorers in the league, I don't see him being as consistent and deadly as someone like Harden/Durant in their primes. I also don't see him turning into a Jokic level distributor or a All-Defensive team level type defender.

Now, exceptions can be made to the above statement (SGA not being elite at D or passing but being really good at both), but I just don't see it. I think he stops at that top 15, maybe even top 10 convo where he might be at the cusp of it but not quite. Similar to a Booker/Tatum/AD/etc. One of the best players in the world but not at the absolute pinnacle.

[GSWFan1994]

Currently no, but he has a chance to reach it in the future if all goes well for him.

[Jcity08]

He has all the tools, so yes he has a path or ceiling that can be superstar level but hopefully Magic can build the team the right way and have the right pieces & personel in place to aide his development.

[Statlanta]

No, there is a reason the conversation shifted from Chet vs. Paolo to Wemby vs. Chet. I think he's getting surpassed/replaced much like how Scottie Barnes/Evan Mobley/LaMelo Ball are starting to become afterthoughts.

He was good in the playoffs but he didn't stand out in FIBA compared to his teammate, and he doesn't project to be better than Edwards/Doncic/Wembanyama, real superstar talent.

[meekrab]

Giannis has proved you don't actually have to be good at basketball to be a superstar, so sure.

[Chuck Everett]

Yes. Future MVP Candidate.

[holdenwait]

I'll admit , not following college hoops AT ALL I had heard his name on draft day. All the hype was about Chet obviously but as soon as I started watching some highlights of his and the last two great seasons he's had as a young player, my answer is 100% yes. still 21 years old, with two full seasons under his belt. he's got such an exciting style too a hybrid of a forward and a big men. at the very least it's looking like he'll get paid like a superstar for most of his career

[UcanUwill]

People saying no, he lead NBA team in ppg. rpg. apg. And his team made the playoffs, and he was 21.

In his first playoffs : 27 ppg. 8.6 rpg. 4.0 apg. 40% 3PT, guy can score from anywhere, fill other stats, and he isnt sone small guard with no defense, he is 6'10, can guard multiple type of big guys.

[Warriorfan]

Talent yes. Time will tell if perennial MVP.

Better than Blake Griffen ,(5x All NBA, only once MVP contender) level

[3ddman23]

He's lebron light.

He absolutely is a star now and in the future. Being labeled a superstar is so fickle. Are we only considering unicorn superstar potential? Do we only think there is 4-5, superstars in the league? If that's the case they maybe not. But paolo has done nothing but produce to start his nba career at a star levels pace and the accolades and team succes show that.

He gets criticism like non other for a guy who has only been in the league 2 season (producuing the way he is), and I'm just not sure why.

Paolo and the magic will be at the top of the east very shortly and at that point people will finally realize the mistake the nba is making not pushing this kid, like they are with other players.

[The Servant]

He has a super star ceiling, hasn't reached it yet we will see. To me a super star is a top 5 player in the league, one who's finishing in the MVP voting and is the best or 2nd best player in the conference.

[JustBuzzin]

Yes

He's a pf with guard skills. That archetype is gonna make him damn near unstoppable. They hyped the wrong guy at Duke. This kid will be better than Zion.

[Duffman100]

I really like him and think he's going to be very very very good. Top 5-8 player in the league good? I'm not so sure.

Personally I think he ends up as a really good #2 on a championship team. I'm almost always wrong though.

[Chuck Everett]

Yes

He's a pf with guard skills. That archetype is gonna make him damn near unstoppable. They hyped the wrong guy at Duke. This kid will be better than Zion.

Easily better than Zion on both ends and he takes his career seriously. He's just flat out better than I thought he ever was going to be. However, watching him bust up the Nuggets last year where they literally had no one to put on him was an eye opener. He did the same against the Knicks frontline (when Randle was healthy and playing).

Some people are still holding out hope on Chet or gulp, Jabari, being on par. I'll just say this, if Chet ends up better than Paolo, that means he's also in the running for MVP of the league. Paolo is going to take Orlando to the Finals one day just like Shaq and Dwight Howard did.

[Magic_Johnny12]

Absolutely, without a single doubt.

What he’s currently doing at his age can only be compared to elite SUPERSTARS.

[JustBuzzin]

Yes

He's a pf with guard skills. That archetype is gonna make him damn near unstoppable. They hyped the wrong guy at Duke. This kid will be better than Zion.

Easily better than Zion on both ends and he takes his career seriously. He's just flat out better than I thought he ever was going to be. However, watching him bust up the Nuggets last year where they literally had no one to put on him was an eye opener. He did the same against the Knicks frontline (when Randle was healthy and playing).

Some people are still holding out hope on Chet or gulp, Jabari, being on par. I'll just say this, if Chet ends up better than Paolo, that means he's also in the running for MVP of the league. Paolo is going to take Orlando to the Finals one day just like Shaq and Dwight Howard did.

The thing that stands out to me is his body. Dude is a damn tank! He's big yet nimble. Scary given his guard skills. He's going to be a top 5 player sooner than later.