Orlando, FL— Adversity and resiliency are two words that embody this Orlando Magic team that is currently 30-25 and in the thick of the Eastern Conference Playoff race after dealing with an onslaught of injuries. 

This Magic team that is theoretically supposed to be in a rebuilding phase is significantly ahead of schedule. Orlando has 55 games under their belt and they have a record above .500, they have one of the best defensive ratings in the NBA (112.0), and they’re led by their second-year Forward Paolo Banchero who was just named to his first NBA All-Star game this season. 

The former number one overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft Paolo Banchero immediately came into the association and showed why he was one of the bright young players in the game. Banchero put together a historic rookie season that we haven’t seen since the likes of an all-time great player like LeBron James. 

Not only was Banchero’s physical stature and style of play nearly identical to that of LeBron James, but his numbers were glaringly similar to LeBron’s rookie season back in 2003. Banchero became the first rookie since LeBron to finish his rookie season with 40 20-point games, the same amount LeBron James had as a rookie. 

When you statistically compare their rookie seasons Paolo Banchero in 72 games averaged 20.0 PPG (42.7% FG, 29.8% 3PT, 73.8% FT), 6.9 RPG, 3.7 APG in 33.8 minutes per game. In 2003 LeBron James appeared in 79 games and averaged 20.9 PPG (41.7% FG, 29% 3PT, 75.4% FT), 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG. Both Paolo and LeBron went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award, and 

Banchero became one of three Magic players to have achieved that honor (Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Miller). 

“You don’t ever think about it during the season,” Banchero said in the team’s exit interview. “But once the season’s over and you see your accomplishments, what you were able to do and you put it in perspective with a guy like LeBron James, it definitely means something, especially with him being one of my favorite players growing up.”

Paolo, who already proved to the entire Orlando Magic organization and NBA world that he was a great up-and-coming player, had higher expectations for himself and the team as a whole going into his second year in the league. Paolo during the team’s exit interview concluding the 2022-23 season stated, 

“I want to be more consistent, more dangerous from 3-point range next season,” he said. “There were stretches during this year where I shot the ball well. I just need to find the consistency. I think expanding my range in year two, then just getting in the best shape I possibly can — I think I was in good shape this year, but just want to take it to another level. To get to where I want to be, everything’s just going to have to be kicked up a notch. And I’m looking forward to that.” 

Paolo put the work in this off-season representing Team USA during the summer FIBA World Cup in 2023 and that helped him grow tremendously heading into year two. Banchero has not only been playing at an exceptionally high level when on the court, he has been incredibly dependable and reliable for his team as he is the only player on the roster to have appeared in every game this season for the Magic. 

Two-time NBA Champion and one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NBA Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat was very fond of Paolo Banchero and his growth in year two. Spoelstra got to spend time up close with Banchero during the FIBA World Cup and when asked about his development he stated, 

“I think for so many guys that have played for the USA team when they come back that next year, it’s really an exponential opportunity for growth. He has a maturity and also a work ethic that will allow him to continue to grow. I was really impressed with him this summer. He was the youngest player on the team, but as the tournament games went on he became more and more important for that team in terms of his versatility, his size, and he adapted really well to the FIBA game.” 

Paolo’s game has developed significantly in his sophomore season as he’s more comfortable scoring the ball on all three levels, passing up good looks to get great ones, and the overall efficiency with which he is shooting the ball this season. Banchero in 55 games this season is averaging 23.0 PPG (46.2% FG, 36.5% 3PT, 70.2% FT), 6.9 RPG, 5.3 APG in 35.0 minutes per game. 

“I think he’s much, much more of an efficient player than he was his rookie year, which is understandable.” Chicago Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan on Banchero’s development. “I think when you come in and you’re trying to establish yourself, you have to go through some ups and downs in order to figure out how to be productive and effective. I think he’s had an incredible year up to this point and time.” 

Although this Orlando team on a night-in and night-out basis has done it by committee, enough cannot be said about the job Paolo Banchero and the entire coaching staff has done. Third-year Head Coach of the Orlando Magic Jamahl Mosley has not only continued to develop his players, but the numbers in the win column speak volumes to his work. The Orlando Magic’s record at the All-Star break in each year of the Jamahl Mosley era is 13-47 (2021-22), 24-35 (2022-23), and now 30-25 (2023-24). 

“But for him and his journey, I think it’s just something special.” Jamahl Mosley when asked about Paolo Banchero being named to the NBA All-Star game. “What he said he was going to do as a rookie, he did. What he said he was going to do in his second season, he’s done. But it just goes to the work that he puts in, the work that the coaches put in with him, and the constant belief that he has in himself and his teammates have in him. I think it says so much about him, the organization, and the belief that we have in who he is.” 

Two-time Finals MVP and one of the greatest scorers in the game of basketball Kevin Durant had high praise for Banchero concluding Orlando’s loss to Phoenix on New Year’s Eve 112-107. “[Banchero] is a force, especially when he got the 3-ball going like that,” Durant said. “He’s going to be a force for a long time and this team is going to be a force if they stay together and continue to keep growing.”

The Orlando Magic struck gold with Paolo Banchero, and they will be looking to make a late playoff push after the All-Star break is concluded as they will have 27 games remaining. Paolo Banchero will now be representing the Orlando Magic at the NBA All-Star game in Indianapolis on Feb.18. Banchero is the first Magic player to be named to the All-Star game since Nikola Vucevic did it in both 2018-19 and 2020-21.