Draymond Green Touts Paolo Banchero As ‘special’ With Talent, Demeanor

Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero is off to a tremendous start this season, and earned high praise from Draymond Green on Thursday after facing the Golden State Warriors.

Banchero produced 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in a 130-129 win over the Warriors. He went 8-of-17 from the field and 6-of-9 from the free-throw line in 36 minutes of work as the Magic handed the Warriors their fourth-straight loss.

The No. 1 pick recorded 12 points alone in the third quarter to help the Magic come back from a 12-point halftime deficit. Orlando outscored Golden State by 10 in the period to get back into the game and eventually hold on for the win.

Banchero credited his teammates for helping him break out.

I felt like I was just out there kinda just playing in the first half being just half aggressive and not taking the ball as strong as I should have been. My teammates were just telling me to leave that in the first half, it’s a long game: ‘You’ll have plenty of opportunities to make up for it.’ I just wanted to help give us a lift. I think it was just a matter of me changing my mindset and just going out there and attacking.

The performance by Banchero prompted Green to tip his cap to the former Duke standout. Green has long been a fan of Banchero from afar, and was thoroughly impressed with his two-game run in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Green pointed to the poise and leadership Banchero displayed that stood out to him the most. He saw a player that could help change the culture in Orlando and lead the organization back to the playoffs after several down seasons.

He once again saw that from Banchero on Thursday.

He is a good player. (I) 100% agree with him being the No. 1 pick. A Seattle kid, those guys breathe basketball. Paolo is a special guy. He hit some tough shots tonight but that is why he was the No. 1 pick. He is going to make some tough ones and you have to live with those. I really love his demeanor. That team hasn’t won many games but they are competing. If you’re watching these games, they’re not getting blown out anymore. They’re right there and learning how to win. If I’m being honest, his demeanor and who he is has a lot to do with that.

Obviously, you have to give a lot of credit to Jamahl Mosley who is leading the charge over there from the head coaching position but Paolo and his demeanor and his love for the game, you can see it through other guys. I think that was the most confident I’ve ever seen this Orlando Magic team, at least that I can remember in the last 6-7 years. I think that is due in large part to Paolo’s demeanor and what he is walking into this building with. Everyone is seeing that.

Banchero, the fourth No. 1 pick in franchise history, has shown that he has the potential to change the direction of the team. The other three No. 1 picks — Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber (who was traded for Penny Hardaway) and Dwight Howard — each made it to the NBA Finals.

The 18-year-old scored 20 points in each of his first six games and became the first rookie since Brandon Jennings (2009-10) to score 150 points over his first seven games. He is leading the rookie class in scoring and ranks fourth in the NBA in free throw attempts.

Of course, the Magic are still far from being a playoff-caliber team, but Banchero is proving in the early going that he can be a franchise cornerstone just like those other top picks were.

That in itself is a great development for the team.