The destiny of an NBA franchise can be decided on nothing, and it is therefore on these famous “details” that Paolo Banchero decided to focus on continuing Orlando's progress for the upcoming season. It must be said that the Magic learned this bitterly last season. After three seasons far from the Top 8, the Floridians had a stunning 2023/24 season, finishing in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
It only took a victory for Orlando to finish in the Top 4, in order to have home advantage in the first round. Defeated 4-3 by Cleveland, Jamahl Mosley's men now know what they have to do to take the next step.
“Home advantage is very important, especially when you get to the playoffs. We all saw the difference between having it and not having it, between the home games and what it looked like, and the away games. It was night and day. So, now that we know that, during the regular season, we will always have the idea that we don't just play games one after the other. We're trying to play and build for the month of April, so we can have home field advantage.”, he declared.
A touch of experience to support a young group
The Floridians will also be able to count on new faces, with the arrival of two veterans, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope And Cory Josephto improve the team with the youngest average age during the last playoffs. Paolo Banchero particularly praised the contribution of KCP, whom he is happy to no longer face.
“The leaders did a great job. Keeping most of the guys and bringing them back for the most part. The players who are coming will help in the right way by bringing their veteran experience. KCP and Cory, those two guys, from the little time I've been around them, I think they're going to help exceptionally well, on and off the field.”he added. “KCP in particular, having faced him my first two years, he's a guy you're happy to have on your team. Just by the way he shoots and defends. He's also one of those guys who is very vocal. He is a leader, he has won NBA championship titles in recent years. He will help us a lot because he knows what it takes to get to the top.”
The disappointment of the defeat in Game 7 was difficult to digest, as was the wait for the offseason. But Paolo Banchero sees the end of the tunnel with the resumption of the “training camp”, the first pre-season matches which will arrive before the start of serious things in three weeks.
“It feels good”he continued. “I felt like it was a really long offseason. Towards the end of August, I already wanted to come back here. I'm happy to be back now. I'm happy all the guys are here. I’m excited for the training camp, that’s for sure.”
| Paolo Banchero | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | ENT | 72 | 34 | 42.7 | 29.8 | 73.8 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
| 2023-24 | ENT | 80 | 35 | 45.5 | 33.9 | 72.5 | 1.0 | 5.9 | 6.9 | 5.4 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 22.6 |
| Total | 152 | 34 | 44.2 | 32.1 | 73.1 | 1.1 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 21.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
