Paolo Banchero was one of last season’s budding stars and his performances saw him deservedly named Rookie of the Year. Despite the team’s 13th-place finish with a 34-38 record, Banchero remains a player to watch as he impresses in every game.
Ahead of the new season, the forward sat down with The Crew Has It to talk about his love for the game and his idols growing up. While praising Carmelo Anthony, Banchero also presented flowers to LeBron James:
“For me, it’s LeBron (James) and Carmelo (Anthony). I look at them as superheroes. They’re the reason. LeBron is there for me, too. He and Carmelo are my two favorite players. . I got to play against LeBron, who came to Seattle last year and played in the Pro-Am. So it was cool to see him up close, too.”
He further added:
“You have no idea how many hours I watched LeBron, just sitting there and turning on the highlights. I actually had a bad game when we played them, and that was the player that really dominated everyone I played against. He’s really in control. He’s just orchestrating it, but he’s still a freak athlete.”
Banchero’s observation is quite accurate. At 38 years old, LeBron James still possesses elite game awareness and his IQ is at the top of the list, a sentiment that resonates with other stars in the league. James’ athleticism shows no signs of diminishing and he remains a real threat in every game.
Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers star averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in the team’s conference finals. The new 2023-24 NBA season also marks his 21st year in the league, one year shy of Vince Carter’s 22nd.
Given his approach to the game, Paulo Banchero and other stars knew James would be his old self and a legitimate championship contender.
Orlando Magic head coach thinks Pau Banchero is a combination of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Jayson Tatum
Pau Banchero has exceeded expectations in his rookie year since being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. These forwards were the driving force for the Magic, and they quickly became the team’s proven game-winners.
Last season, he averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 72 games. The All-Star numbers also led his coach, Jamal Mosley, to praise Banchero and compare him to one of his favorite players.
“Paul (Banchero) is a combination of Carmelo (Anthony), LeBron (James) and (Jayson) Tatum. They have different combinations. Passing skills. The ability to score in different areas.”
The player was also a mainstay for Team USA in the recently concluded FIBA World Cup, averaging 9.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. With the new NBA season less than a month away, Paolo Banchero will once again be one of the focal points as he prepares for his second year in the league.