Paolo Banchero

Banchero played like someone who wasn't feeling pressure. He showcased his offensive skillset against Houston, getting 17 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds, with ...

Paolo Banchero had a shining debut for the Orlando Magic as he impresssed. But he and the team knows this is just the start for their top rookie.

Banchero said he was not going to come out and just hunt for his own shots. He can be better defensively, getting down to his stance and keeping players in front of him and not just trying to recover. And it is clear he can still do more. The Magic will hopefully see him become more individually assertive, but if he continues to make these reads and passes, that will only add to his potential and his attack. “I feel like I will have the ball in my hands a lot to provide scoring, assisting and rebounding for my team. Banchero was immediately dominant as a passer, whipping passes quickly from the top of the key. He just was not fully there with his explosion and lateral quickness. That this was something that was not on display during his time at Duke. Nor was he looking to break the offense and do his own thing. He still very clearly looked like the best player on the floor. Banchero said he felt he was a little slow on his feet. He had some good defensive moments, including a chase-down block on Jabari Smith Jr. But he got beat plenty as he struggled with some of his lateral movement.

To no one's surprise, the No. 1 pick looked comfortable in his NBA debut.

Summer League is Summer League, but it’s pretty clear that the 2022 draft is going to be something that gets re-litigated for a while. The rookie development of Smith, Banchero and Holmgren— who’s already had a strong debut showing for the Thunder in the Utah Summer League—should be an intriguing subplot this season. Smith remains one of the best jump-shooting prospects I’ve ever seen, and his ability to simply score over people is going to be a major separator. Orlando should be a positive situation for Banchero to develop, with several intriguing young players surrounding him, led by last year’s lottery pick Franz Wagner. But I do worry that the Magic will need to put more shooting around him—and as soon as possible—in order to give Banchero space to operate and avoid packed defensive fronts. His combination of sheer size and skill with the ball in his hands makes him a unique prospect, and the confidence he displayed getting to his jumper was a positive sign. He was able to draw a couple fouls going into the paint, but didn’t create a ton of separation from defenders, which forced him into some of the difficult looks and led him to settle a bit too much.

Paolo Banchero delivers in his Summer League debut with Orlando as play wraps up in Salt Lake City and begins in Las Vegas.

A former first-round pick and a seven-year NBA veteran, Caboclo spent 2021-22 in the G League. Utah will be monitoring his play in the NBA 2K23 Summer League as the Jazz seek frontcourt depth options for next season. Springer, Philadelphia’s first-round pick from 2021, spent most of last season with the Sixers’ NBA G League affiliate in Delaware. The 6-foot-3 guard finished with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal, remaining an aggressor with and without the ball. His trademark is creation off the dribble, and he finished with 20 points, leading the Pistons, along with six rebounds and six assists. Duren is primarily a low-post center and will likely be used this upcoming season constantly on the screen and roll, expected to form a fast connection with Cade Cunningham, last year’s No. 1 overall pick. Along with Banchero and RJ Hampton, Houstan was one of the most impressive players for Orlando in their Summer League opener. As the season progressed and the Rockets — who won only 20 games in 2021-22 — were clearly making assessments throughout the roster, Christopher’s time increased. Duren had the quicker start against Portland, catching three lob passes for easy dunks in the first quarter. So, too, did his performances, which included a 30-point game against Minnesota in April. It was an astonishing display of athletic ability by a 6-foot-3 guard. By contrast, Smith was rather tentative and finished with 10 points, adding seven rebounds. It amounted to 17 points and six assists as the Magic won 91-77. — Shaun Powell

Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, put his skills on display in a 17-point Summer League debut.

National Basketball Association A slew of Magic veterans, a fellow No. 1 pick in Markelle Fultz among them, leaped from their courtside seats more than once in response to what Banchero was doing on the floor. He did some silly fouls, and as a coach I’m looking at the things he didn’t do, but he obviously had a nice game." And when he missed a rebound that led to a Houston putback score late, Banchero slapped the ball in anger. He forced Houston into at least three turnovers just by being in the right place on defense. The first time Banchero touched the ball, he didn’t hesitate in whipping a pass to Devin Cannady for an open 3. "Summer League, it’s like Vegas. Have fun, play basketball," Banchero said. But Banchero was part of the reason the night had a big-game feel. It was a made-for-TV event, with a 10 p.m. Eastern starting time as part of the NBA marketing the opening night doubleheader — Portland and Detroit were playing after the Rockets-Magic game — as Midnight Madness. "It’s great, just playing alongside someone like him," fellow Magic rookie Caleb Houstan said. They’re all completely irrelevant, even though overreacting to summer stats is quickly becoming an annual NBA tradition. "I think I did all right," Banchero said.

The No.1 overall pick looked the part in his professional debut against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night.

I think I did all right, but I can be a lot better." I think I did all right, but I can be a lot better." On Saturday AJ Griffin will presumably suit up for the Atlanta Hawks against Utah while second round pick Trevor Keels will play for the New York Knicks on Sunday as the team plays against Chicago. Of those 17 points, six came from beyond the arc on a pair of there pointers, one of which was a catch and shoot situation. Just ready to get in with the guys and get to work. On Thursday night the 6-foot-10 forward made his Magic debut in the NBA Summer League where he matched up against Smith who was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the No. 3 pick.