Detroit – Paolo Panchero He keeps dozens of notes on his iPhone — some of them are reminders, funny stuff — but one of them is of great importance to his career, and it’s a note he created when he was a junior in high school with the NBA in his sights.
It’s titled “Goals” and next to it is a golden cup, and it’s one of the goals he revisits often. It used to be his phone’s screensaver but today he can easily access it, even though it’s etched into his memory.
Among them: McDonald’s All-American, NCAA Champion, #1 overall pick and NBA Champion.
A couple are being scrutinized but not all, the main ones are yet to be fulfilled because his still-growing NBA resume has plenty of time before it ends. One goal that hasn’t been verified but seems very likely by May, however, is the Rookie of the Year award.
Indiana Benedict Mathurin He was impressive for a better-than-expected team and will be in the Sixth Man and Detroit conversation Jaden Ivey He had some sparkly moments. But Banshiro looks likely to win the title easily, averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and four assists so far. Orlando is annoying, and has a lot of height, which causes unsuspecting teams some trouble.
In their best stretch of the season, having won eight of nine in December, Banchero averaged 22 on 45% shooting and 43% from 3-point range.
It is not uncommon for first choices to have immediate effects. Since the lottery was implemented in 1985, the first overall pick has been more likely to win Rookie of the Year than any other lottery slot.
But with Banchero, it seemed like there were too many questions for someone with a proven pedigree and a polished game—perhaps too polished out of a college pack to believe he still had room to grow at the NBA level.
“People had their doubts and their stuff,” Panchero told Yahoo Sports recently. “People, whether they watch the matches or not, make a decision.
“Playing in college is a different game and you have to make sacrifices. I was still the best player, but I had to adapt my style of play to the team. We had three or four other professionals and coaches.” [Mike Krzyzewski] He wanted me to play.”
Can he defend at a professional level? Did he tap into potential – as an undergraduate? Did he have the right attitude? He’s heard them all, from valid concerns to absurd ones.
“I was saying my defense was probably the most frustrating thing I’ve ever heard about,” Panchero said. “They tried to make it sound like I was a burden. If you watched me in college or my whole life, I would never be a burden.
He added, “You know, there are times, of course, where you sleep off the ball, let a back door through. But as far as par, you can just attack me all game and expose me like that? No no no.”
Rookies across the board struggle defensively, but treating the challenge as a point of pride is a good starting point. He is also a factor in training defensive principles and having the ability to make tactical adjustments as matches go on.
Younger teams have a hard time grasping the concepts, especially as substitution has become more prevalent in the game over the past decade. vs Detroit last week – before the accident Between Mo Wagner and Killian Hayes – Banchero would often guard Hayes on the perimeter, negotiate screens and shift offensive players to the baseline and to the edge, as Magic would block shots and assists.
He has shown a willingness to compete, something that can only be assessed so much in a college environment. Like Indiana Therese HalliburtonPassed several times because he was 20, Banshiro seemed to get more questions about his potential due to turning 20 early in his rookie season.
By comparison, the youngest player in the NBA, Detroit Galen Doreen, was 18 on opening night. It wasn’t much of a difference.
“People talk about my cap, like how good am I going to be on the road? That was one of the most frustrating things for me, because I’m the same age as all of these guys in the draft,” Panchero said. “Just because I’m physically developed, and I have a mature game, they say I can’t get better.”
His voice belied his annoyance or borderline amusement as he walked.
“My ceiling isn’t as high as guys who aren’t as skilled as me? So it didn’t make sense.”
He said he doesn’t “buy all the noise” but he’s definitely more aware of it than the average newbie. And the fact that he admits it publicly and doesn’t hide from it shows a level of confidence that he’ll do more than prove the skeptics wrong.
“I still feel like in a lot of areas, I’m still raw,” Banchero said. “It may not seem like it to the average person. I know I’m nowhere near as good as I’m supposed to be. I have a lot to work on.”
It has received the seal of approval from two game standard bearers, LeBron James And Kevin Durantwhich both of them complimented after their matches.
“I think these are big things,” Magic coach Jamal Mosley told reporters that night in Detroit. “The ultimate sign of respect is when you get it from your teammates. They understand exactly how good he is going to be. And how much of an impact he will have on and with this team.”
Sometimes players can be fooled, and sometimes coaches and executives can, but it’s rare that current players competing with the future can be calmed into believing something that isn’t true.
And to Banchero’s credit, that feeling of dread vanishes when the ball is tilted. The best way to honor the greatness of these players is to go for the crown.
“I feel like I’m going to hurt myself—and everyone else—if I’m going to be caught off guard, and lie down,” said Panchero. “If you’re competitive with how they are and how I see myself, that’s what you’re supposed to do. When you go against your idol the first time or the next time, you should go for them.”
This is when he pulled out his phone and displayed a list of targets. Last in the noble list after the NBA champion: NBA Hall of Fame.