The Official Paolo Banchero Thread: 2022-2023 NBA Rookie of the Year

[basketballRob]

One thing that confuses me is why so many smokescreens if you are first on the clock to draft?
Did they really think Houston will give them Green to move 2 spots up? Or unprotected pick? Stone, Houston GM, has been working for nba for 17 years on top positions, he ain't fool, buying off Segun for pretty much top 18 protected pick in far future is best example that he won't get fooled by smokescreens.

It's still very confusing why Magic didn't trade down for lesser return value ( and still drafted player they wanted).
It's still unclear why create all this drama about Banchero's workout if he was going to be your first overall pick?

It's still unclear why play Jabari Smith like complete fool and have him parading around Magic arena like they signed prime Hakeem/Jordan just to play him- like a fool on draft night?
Wtf was that with printing Banchero's name on number Bamba has , as guy is still RFA and in theory "your" player. That's a guy you spent 6th overall pick on just 4 years ago.

Just very,very confusing predraft time culminated into very confusing draft night.

How is that confusing? You make the other teams think you're taking their guy and hope they offer some value to move up while still getting your guy on a lower salary, how is that difficult to understand?
Sure, it didn't work at the end but if that was the play it was worth the try.

It means they wanted Paolo the entire time, and so did Houston and they weren't able create a trade down or they would have.

Houston may have also had Jabari #1 on their board.

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[tiderulz]

Most people are down on Banchero because ...: Fultz and Suggs ?

You kidding ,right? Because your team is really going anywhere with Reggie Jackson vol.2 and poor man Eric Bledsoe ?


For love of the God STOP overhyping Fultz into something he isn't . He was drafted 5 years ago. for half of a decade he continued to prove he ISN'T what he was proclaimed to be before draft .He is the worst first overall pick since Bennett. He is bust.
At apsolute best ,Fultz is your middle of the road- top 20 PG in nba. In way more realistic scenario, Fultz is overused T. J. McConnell /homeless Westbrook.
He isn't good defender, he can pass but he can't shoot from long range, he is forced to take mid range shots who are in general bad shots and there is nothing for him to do in modern offense if ball isn't in his hands. BUT he,himself, isn't good enough to have ball in his hands most of the time. So you are stuck between rock and hard place where you have to pander offense to him, and in same time he isn't THAT good where that's justified.

Fultz was injured for 3.5 years out of those 5, I hope you double down on these takes, you'll eat your words eventually, with or without his old form he will be an all star in the NBA.
Also, please stop making comparisons, really? TJ McConnell?

i will double down that Fultz will NOT be an all star in the NBA

[Knightro]

Banchero was third on my list behind Holmgren and Smith, so in that respect I'm disappointed because I don't believe he's the best prospect.

That said... I at least understand the appeal in Banchero over those other two.

We've all collectively said for several years now that the most valuable NBA skill is three-level scoring. And if a player can be a three-level scorer while also having some playmaking chops and all of a sudden you're talking about a potential offensive engine.

Will Paolo get there? I'm skeptical. But there are outcomes in his development where he becomes a No. 1 option offensively.

[JBSouthpaw]

One thing that confuses me is why so many smokescreens if you are first on the clock to draft?
Did they really think Houston will give them Green to move 2 spots up? Or unprotected pick? Stone, Houston GM, has been working for nba for 17 years on top positions, he ain't fool, buying off Segun for pretty much top 18 protected pick in far future is best example that he won't get fooled by smokescreens.

It's still very confusing why Magic didn't trade down for lesser return value ( and still drafted player they wanted).
It's still unclear why create all this drama about Banchero's workout if he was going to be your first overall pick?

It's still unclear why play Jabari Smith like complete fool and have him parading around Magic arena like they signed prime Hakeem/Jordan just to play him- like a fool on draft night?
Wtf was that with printing Banchero's name on number Bamba has , as guy is still RFA and in theory "your" player. That's a guy you spent 6th overall pick on just 4 years ago.

Just very,very confusing predraft time culminated into very confusing draft night.

How is that confusing? You make the other teams think you're taking their guy and hope they offer some value to move up while still getting your guy on a lower salary, how is that difficult to understand?
Sure, it didn't work at the end but if that was the play it was worth the try.

May make you feel better Pepe:

"Paolo Banchero first thought he might go No. 1 when he saw betting markets drastically improve his odds. He wasn't surprised he went to Orlando because he said he actually had more communication with the Magic than any other team. "

Read on Twitter

[JBSouthpaw]

One thing that confuses me is why so many smokescreens if you are first on the clock to draft?
Did they really think Houston will give them Green to move 2 spots up? Or unprotected pick? Stone, Houston GM, has been working for nba for 17 years on top positions, he ain't fool, buying off Segun for pretty much top 18 protected pick in far future is best example that he won't get fooled by smokescreens.

It's still very confusing why Magic didn't trade down for lesser return value ( and still drafted player they wanted).
It's still unclear why create all this drama about Banchero's workout if he was going to be your first overall pick?

It's still unclear why play Jabari Smith like complete fool and have him parading around Magic arena like they signed prime Hakeem/Jordan just to play him- like a fool on draft night?
Wtf was that with printing Banchero's name on number Bamba has , as guy is still RFA and in theory "your" player. That's a guy you spent 6th overall pick on just 4 years ago.

Just very,very confusing predraft time culminated into very confusing draft night.

How is that confusing? You make the other teams think you're taking their guy and hope they offer some value to move up while still getting your guy on a lower salary, how is that difficult to understand?
Sure, it didn't work at the end but if that was the play it was worth the try.

May make you feel better Pepe:

"Paolo Banchero first thought he might go No. 1 when he saw betting markets drastically improve his odds. He wasn't surprised he went to Orlando because he said he actually had more communication with the Magic than any other team. "

Read on Twitter

[basketballRob]

Banchero was third on my list behind Holmgren and Smith, so in that respect I'm disappointed because I don't believe he's the best prospect.

That said... I at least understand the appeal in Banchero over those other two.

We've all collectively said for several years now that the most valuable NBA skill is three-level scoring. And if a player can be a three-level scorer while also having some playmaking chops and all of a sudden you're talking about a potential offensive engine.

Will Paolo get there? I'm skeptical. But there are outcomes in his development where he becomes a No. 1 option offensively.

My questions are only on the defensive end and a little worried about his outside shot.

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[pepe1991]

One thing that confuses me is why so many smokescreens if you are first on the clock to draft?
Did they really think Houston will give them Green to move 2 spots up? Or unprotected pick? Stone, Houston GM, has been working for nba for 17 years on top positions, he ain't fool, buying off Segun for pretty much top 18 protected pick in far future is best example that he won't get fooled by smokescreens.

It's still very confusing why Magic didn't trade down for lesser return value ( and still drafted player they wanted).
It's still unclear why create all this drama about Banchero's workout if he was going to be your first overall pick?

It's still unclear why play Jabari Smith like complete fool and have him parading around Magic arena like they signed prime Hakeem/Jordan just to play him- like a fool on draft night?
Wtf was that with printing Banchero's name on number Bamba has , as guy is still RFA and in theory "your" player. That's a guy you spent 6th overall pick on just 4 years ago.

Just very,very confusing predraft time culminated into very confusing draft night.

How is that confusing? You make the other teams think you're taking their guy and hope they offer some value to move up while still getting your guy on a lower salary, how is that difficult to understand?
Sure, it didn't work at the end but if that was the play it was worth the try.

May make you feel better Pepe:

"Paolo Banchero first thought he might go No. 1 when he saw betting markets drastically improve his odds. He wasn't surprised he went to Orlando because he said he actually had more communication with the Magic than any other team. "

Read on Twitter

It's confusing in sense that they didn't worked him out.
If they were so high on him why they couldn't find somebody to "tell a message" to his camp that they like him and would like to see him first hand?

Instad, what we did was run around with Jabari Smith and made complete fool out of him.

[JBSouthpaw]

How is that confusing? You make the other teams think you're taking their guy and hope they offer some value to move up while still getting your guy on a lower salary, how is that difficult to understand?
Sure, it didn't work at the end but if that was the play it was worth the try.

May make you feel better Pepe:

"Paolo Banchero first thought he might go No. 1 when he saw betting markets drastically improve his odds. He wasn't surprised he went to Orlando because he said he actually had more communication with the Magic than any other team. "

Read on Twitter

It's confusing in sense that they didn't worked him out.
If they were so high on him why they couldn't find somebody to "tell a message" to his camp that they like him and would like to see him first hand?

Instad, what we did was run around with Jabari Smith and made complete fool out of him.

I get it.
But, I'd think it worse to fall in love with a player based on a 1 v 0 workout.

[Magicalltheway]

i am over the moon with this pick. I honestly had no confidence on this front office and was sure they would screw it up and go with Chet. Seeing JS going 1st on every mock, i was convinced we are getting him. i always believed PB was the best player and with the highest ceiling but i seriously doubted we'd pick him. i screamed like a little girl when i heard his name. WJ definitely ruined it for me but still im so excited. Caleb Houston is a very intriguing prospect as well. his confidence seems to sky rocket when his shots fall, but gets down on himself when they dont. Our coaches have some work cut out for them. im finally excited about our Magic again.

[jonbob17]

It's confusing in sense that they didn't worked him out.
If they were so high on him why they couldn't find somebody to "tell a message" to his camp that they like him and would like to see him first hand?

Instad, what we did was run around with Jabari Smith and made complete fool out of him.

Personal workouts are said to be the least valuable piece of the draft process.

This smoke screen has left bad taste in my mouth especially how they were getting accolades for how elaborate it was last night. I think not bringing Paolo in was part of the smoke screen.

[tiderulz]

May make you feel better Pepe:

"Paolo Banchero first thought he might go No. 1 when he saw betting markets drastically improve his odds. He wasn't surprised he went to Orlando because he said he actually had more communication with the Magic than any other team. "

Read on Twitter

It's confusing in sense that they didn't worked him out.
If they were so high on him why they couldn't find somebody to "tell a message" to his camp that they like him and would like to see him first hand?

Instad, what we did was run around with Jabari Smith and made complete fool out of him.

I get it.
But, I'd think it worse to fall in love with a player based on a 1 v 0 workout.

yeah, happens a lot with NFL. they see combine workouts and fall in love. they forget all the game tape.

a player can come in and have a hot day shooting that day and a team may think they are lights out shooter that suddenly clicked, instead of all the game tape they have. do i thin they should have worked him out? yes. is it the end of the world? no.

[basketballRob]

How is that confusing? You make the other teams think you're taking their guy and hope they offer some value to move up while still getting your guy on a lower salary, how is that difficult to understand?
Sure, it didn't work at the end but if that was the play it was worth the try.

May make you feel better Pepe:

"Paolo Banchero first thought he might go No. 1 when he saw betting markets drastically improve his odds. He wasn't surprised he went to Orlando because he said he actually had more communication with the Magic than any other team. "

Read on Twitter

It's confusing in sense that they didn't worked him out.
If they were so high on him why they couldn't find somebody to "tell a message" to his camp that they like him and would like to see him first hand?

Instad, what we did was run around with Jabari Smith and made complete fool out of him.

It feels like our front office has a low motor. Paolo worked out weeks with Miller in Memphis, Hammond could have jumped on a plane and been at the workout in less than two hours.

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[pepe1991]

May make you feel better Pepe:

"Paolo Banchero first thought he might go No. 1 when he saw betting markets drastically improve his odds. He wasn't surprised he went to Orlando because he said he actually had more communication with the Magic than any other team. "

Read on Twitter

It's confusing in sense that they didn't worked him out.
If they were so high on him why they couldn't find somebody to "tell a message" to his camp that they like him and would like to see him first hand?

Instad, what we did was run around with Jabari Smith and made complete fool out of him.

I get it.
But, I'd think it worse to fall in love with a player based on a 1 v 0 workout.

Indeed. I don't buy much into post workout rumors anyway, but whole process was just ...awkward?
They got Jabari, threw parade and sharade about him, had him interviewed in front of 20 different media outlets.

Than whole thing with Chet was out ,did he or did he not worked out... Than whole Banchero thing started where Weltman, as usual didn't confirm nor denied working Banchero and there was that rumor that Banchero tried to delay workout as much as he could to the point where it felt like there isn't time to work him out.... And at least portion of smokescreens had to come from Orlando, because nobody else had any really leveradge to publish all this stuff. I guess Weltman tried to play Houston? That's only thing that makes sense, if he had word that OKC isn't interested in Jabari Smith .

However we didn't traded down and we ended up drafting guy who we wanted...who pretty much nobody mocked to go top 2.
No big deal, i guess, but just awkward predraft times.

[pepe1991]

It's confusing in sense that they didn't worked him out.
If they were so high on him why they couldn't find somebody to "tell a message" to his camp that they like him and would like to see him first hand?

Instad, what we did was run around with Jabari Smith and made complete fool out of him.

I get it.
But, I'd think it worse to fall in love with a player based on a 1 v 0 workout.

yeah, happens a lot with NFL. they see combine workouts and fall in love. they forget all the game tape.

a player can come in and have a hot day shooting that day and a team may think they are lights out shooter that suddenly clicked, instead of all the game tape they have. do i thin they should have worked him out? yes. is it the end of the world? no.

I would say there is bigger chance somebody ruins his stock by sucking in live practice , if we talk about potential top 10 picks for nba.

Guy goes in , makes shots... good. That's his job. What's there to gain or learn ? He can dunk 360* ? Whooho

[zaymon]

We had whole season of game tape and Banchero showed A LOT. Almost everyother game a new move or counter. What was there to really doubt ?
Jabari and Chet are different. They didnt show a lot, we needed to check if it was role or if they have more skills like Devin Booker had for exemple.
Every year its almost the same its so predictable i am actually suprised anyone is still suprised.

[89Magicfan]

Guys, y’all are overthinking the hell out of this. He’s been working out with Mike Miller for weeks. Mike Miller, the former Magic player who’s also his agent who’s still close to Orlando executives. He’s been in more communication with Orlando than any other team.

There’s your workout/interview.

[I Rasharted]

Wasn’t super thrilled but it’s not Chet and I get the pick in the grand scheme of things.

[BaunceyChillups]

Love it. Who doesn't want a huge, versatile high-feel scorer/playmaker? Defensive consistency needs work but the shooting concerns are overblown, he was money from the corners and will get there elsewhere beyond the arc. I can understand the argument for Chet as his metrics profile was excellent but I'm skeptical about Gonzaga's system and how it covered his halfcourt weaknesses much like it did Suggs last year. Paolo's absolutely a better pick than Jabari--nice player but you don't spend the 1st pick on a guy who can't dribble and lives almost entirely off jumpshots.

[LDNMagic90]

I dunno guys, I just feel that both camps were in on the smokescreen. There's a few contradictions from what has been said since we drafted Paolo. Weltman saying that thing about workouts vs Paolo saying he was shocked we called his name, but when you connect some of the dots you start to wonder.

*tinfoil hat time*

So the whole thing with Paolo and his camp saying they didn't get an invite for a workout/possibly not wanting to workout for us, then Paolo himself going from saying he thinks he should be number 1 to saying I don't think Orlando will pick me 1 or something along those lines. Cole and Suggs suddenly following Banchero on insta, then Cole being in NY working out with Paolo...

Then we get the betting fiasco on eve of the draft right through to the morning, I think a hour before the draft Duke posted a pic of Banchero with half the duke jersey on and half the magic jersey. Things started to add up after a while.

The only bit of evidence for me that this was all genuine and not a grand smokescreen was Jabari's reaction, however it could just be that the Magic and Paolo's camp were the only ones that knew about it right until the day before.

[IllMagic04]

I do kinda feel bad for Jabari. I think he really wanted to be here and he thought we wanted him. He went through a long 2 hour workout and talked to the media. He went all out to impress and we picked a guy who didn't even workout. Im sure he's gonna wanna really stick it to us when we play.

Still very hyped for Paolo. He was number 1 on my board the entire time. Im still stunned we actually picked him

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