Paolo Banchero’s got Magic fans buzzing, and it’s not just because of his killer stats. This young baller is on a mission to transform Orlando into a playoff powerhouse, and he’s learned some hard truths along the way.
Home Sweet Homecourt
Banchero’s journey to the playoffs taught him one thing: homecourt advantage is everything. Orlando started strong against Cleveland, going 3-0, but then hit a wall on the road. โHomecourt is very important, especially when you get to the playoffs,โ he said. And he’s rightโplaying at home feels like night and day compared to the road. I think he’s onto something here; building a fortress at home could be their ticket to playoff success.
Building a Championship Contender
Orlando’s been out of the playoff picture for too long, but Banchero’s changing that narrative. The Magic boasted a perfect 17-0 record at the Kia Center against sub-.300 teams, making it clear they mean business. Even though they fell short in a 3-4 series loss to the Cavs, they held their ground at home. The front office has done a stellar job keeping the core intact and adding some key pieces. Bringing back guys like Goga Bitadze and Moe Wagner, while extending Jonathan Isaac and Franz Wagner, shows they’re serious about the future. And let’s not forget the addition of Cory Joseph and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. โThey did a great job,โ Banchero said. โKCP and Cory, those two guys, being around them as much as I have now, I think theyโre going to help tremendously on and off the floor.โ
New Season, New Goals
After a chill summer with no international duties, Banchero’s itching to get back on the court. He’s hungry to improve on his already impressive statsโ27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. โIt feels great,โ he said at training camp. โIt feels like the offseason was really long. By the end of August, I was itching to get back here.โ And who can blame him? The guy’s got big dreams, like bringing a championship to Orlando. โDefinitely advancing in the playoffs, getting into the Eastern Finals. But eventually itโs winning championships. Orlando, where Iโm at has never won a championship, so I wanna be the first.โ
Paolo Banchero spoke about his desire to bring a championship to Orlando:
โDefinitely advancing in the playoffs, getting into the Eastern Finals. But eventually itโs winning championships. Orlando, where Iโm at has never won a championship, so I wanna be the firstโ
— Fawzan Amer (@FAmer__)
Veteran Vibes
Meeting new teammates can be like the first day of school, but Banchero’s pretty pumped about the veteran presence of KCP. With championship rings from two different franchises, Caldwell-Pope brings a winning mindset that’s contagious. โKCP, specifically, just playing against him my first two years, heโs a guy that youโre glad to have on your team,โ Banchero noted. โHeโs also one of those guys thatโs very vocal. Heโs a leader (and) heโs won a couple of championships in the last few years. So, heโs going to help us a lot because he knows what it takes to get to the top.โ
So, what’s next for Banchero and the Magic? Can they turn their homecourt into a fortress and make a deep playoff run? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sureโthis team’s got the potential to surprise everyone. What do you think? Are we looking at the next big thing in the East?
