Against the Memphis Grizzlies, Paolo Banchero got a rough welcome from the NBA, finishing with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist with a lousy 2 of 9 from the field, smothered by the crazy perimeter defense of Dillon Brooks.
No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero’s preseason debut: 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 turnovers, 2-9 FG in a loss to the Grizzlies. Dillon Brooks’ defense is a pretty rough welcome to the NBA.
– Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 4, 2022
Although it is hard to expect rookies to set the league on fire immediately, expectations are different for the first overall pick. They are supposed to be the saviors of the franchise, particularly for the Magic, a club that has been floundering in the NBA slums for too long. However, it is only the first game of the preseason. As Paul Banchero becomes more and more accustomed to the speed of the NBA game, it is hard not to imagine him as a star with his mix of size, speed and offensive arsenal.
Banchero will try to show the world what made him the first overall pick in his next preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs and especially without Dillon Brooks. He will have a much easier time against the Spurs, that’s for sure, especially since San Antonio does not have high expectations for this season, kind of like the Utah Jazz of the other Italian rookie Simone Fontecchio. Hopefully Banchero can get his rhythm before the rematch he will have with Dejounte Murray and the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 21.
.entry-footer –>
