After a convincing 2023-24 season for the Magic despite the elimination in 7 games against the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, Paolo Banchero returns this season with more certainty and the desire to take his game to the next level. The former number 1 in Draft averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for his first playoffs, and he wants to convert the try to place the Magic in the Top 4 of the Eastern Conference.
A week with Kevin Durant
Since many agree that the elimination against Cleveland was partly due to a lack of experience of the Magic's young guard, Banchero wants to accelerate the maturity process. For this, the All-Star power forward trained this summer with Kevin Durant. “Working with “KD” for a week was some of the best training I have ever had. He's one of the biggest, so he pushes you to your limits. You don't want to miss more shots than him. Training with a player like him elevates your game”.
Elevation is Banchero’s key word at the dawn of his third season. “Seeing where we have arrived, being able to go in 7 games, we want to work on that while remaining dissatisfied. We want to take a step forward collectively”.
A mini-LeBron?
The Magic are entering this new season with the objective of confirming the great promises of last season and once again taking on the role of a scratchy team in the East. Internally, Banchero receives the praise of his teammates like Cole Anthony: “I say this with all the greatest respect I have for LeBron, but Paolo is the closest. This guy is an animal, he's a monster”.
Feeling shared from another angle by coach Jamahl Mosley: “I don’t know if we can put numbers on what he does. But the way he makes his teammates better, the way he pushes them, the way he works and inspires everyone to strive for excellence is something that I know he is capable of doing and that he will continue in this direction ».
On a personal level, Paolo Banchero is ready, as proven by his 21 points at 8/13 on shots Friday night against the Sixers. For his Magic, the season will begin with a first derby against Jimmy Butler's Heat in a match that already looks like a test. For both teams.
