Nass Trip Around the Association Volume 3, Page Five

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The Orlando Magic are currently standing 13-22 thus far as we’ve entered the middling stages of the regular season campaign. Things are beginning to round into form as they’ve won seven of their last ten. “I really love his [Paolo Banchero] demeanor and that team hasn’t won many games. I think that was their second win of the season but they are competing and if you’re watching these games they’re not getting blown out anymore and they’re learning how to win.” An excerpt from Draymond Green during a post-game presser after the Golden State Warriors were defeated by the Orlando Magic 130-129 back on November 3rd. For most of the past decade, the Magic have been stacking early and late lottery picks but only up until recently has their young core given the organization optimism that they’ll come to fruition altogether.

Undeniably the most prized possession in this past year’s NBA draft, Paolo Banchero has been nothing short of sensational as a first-year NBA player. The Duke standout has appeared and started in 27 games in which he’s putting up 21.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Banchero has one of the more idiosyncratic combinations of size and skillset in the league. There’s just no one at 6’10 249 lbs in the league right now that is this commanding of an NBA scorer at all three levels. Not to mention at only 20 years old. What makes Banchero overwhelming is though he plays like a wing, he doesn’t rely as much on lateral skilled moves when looking to score. He operates more so north to south but has the tools and touch to grow into an elite NBA scorer. Banchero only averages 10.7 drives a game but he’s featured on a roster that has a surplus of ball handlers that take turns initiating the offense. Paolo has the confidence and quite the scoring package filled with an array of counters and moves that are impressive for someone at this stage in his brief NBA career. He can attack the rim off the dribble, pull up left or right into a mid-range jumper, pull up off the dribble into a three, score out of the post, initiate and roll out of pick and roll, catch and shoot from three, all of it. Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Kevin Durant are some names that pop up when you think about the most prolific wing scorers of the past couple of generations. Paolo’s physique and inside-out playstyle are closer to a mold of Carmelo Anthony who during his prime years as a Denver Nugget and New York Knick was arguably the most complete scorer in the league especially when you consider all phases of scoring offense; mid-range, paint, three-point line, and free-throw. According to Synergy of NBA.com of players that average at least four possessions in isolation situations and also take at least three field goal attempts in such situations Paolo Banchero has the highest Shooting Foul frequency at 16.6 which is the fourth best in the NBA of players that qualify. He ranks ahead of high-on-ball volume players like Ja Morant and DeMar DeRozan. Banchero is also tenth in the NBA in Points Created in one on one looks and that’s measured by any points scored, assisted, or created in post-up and isolation situations. Paolo before our very eyes has shown the potential to become just as advanced as those that have come before him and has his sights on becoming a world-class offensive player. Throughout the whole year leading up to the draft, Paolo was already considered an NBA-ready scorer with superstar heights. What wasn’t expected to translate this quickly into his NBA career was his growth as a ball handler and willingness to make others around him better.

Franz Wagner just like Paolo was taken in the early lottery with the eighth overall in the 2021 NBA draft. Wagner has been quite the spark since arriving in Orlando and has taken his game to a superior level in year two. Coming off making NBA All-Rookie first team Wagner has up ticked his production across the majority of the stat categories posting career highs in points per game (19.8), assists per game (3.4), FT% (.872), and FG% (.478). Wagner has a little more spring to his game with a leaner frame. His first step and ability to create off the dribble seem to catch most defenders off guard. Given his European background, the German native Wagner is one of the unique international players in the world. The play style of professional basketball overseas very much differentiates from the NBA climate. Overseas is not solely dependent on players’ effectiveness in isolation and at the three-point line; two of the biggest driving forces behind how to measure an NBA player right now. Unlike the NBA, international teams don’t solely depend on the most talented player to be their escape. There’s a lot more team-oriented healthy ball movement and an emphasis on fundamentals amongst international teams. These elements of the game have been instilled in all of these great international players since they were youths. It’s evident in every FIBA or Olympic national tournament. Overseas basketball also features a more physical brand of basketball. Hand checking is permitted from the NBA playstyle but is a staple of basketball overseas where referees will really only call it if the defender is using their hands excessively. Past NBA players with overseas backgrounds include Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokunmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Dirk Nowitzki. They’ve all benefited immensely from overseas exposure. Wagner has the potential to groom into one of these special players.

Usually with these high-caliber rookies and young stars is that once they’re given the keys to these organizations, they’re allowed a surfeit of room for trial and error. Guys like Trae Young, Ja Morant, Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball, and Jalen Green were much too talented to keep on a leash. Underwhelming teams that were already in desperate need of that spark instantly throw their foundational future pieces into the fire in hopes that they can be the changing of the guard for their organization. James Wiseman and Romeo Langford were drafted to organizations that are on a win-now timeline and by default may not enjoy the luxury to play 25 minutes of free basketball, or be allowed the same leeway and room for error just because of the particular basketball situation they’re in. In this instance back to back lottery picks Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero have been allowed to roam and play as freely as they possibly can. Those two particularly are a couple of the reasons there’s a revelation in Orlando. What makes the pairing of both Wagner and Paolo that dynamic is that they’re both multi-tooled skilled forwards that can impact the game in various ways. According to Synergy of NBA.com Paolo Banchero averages 5.6 possessions/game as the Pick & Roll Ball Handler and fellow forward and teammate Franz Wagner averages 6.3 possessions/game. Head coach Jamahl Mosley hasn’t hesitated to put the ball in the hands of his young star players. Neither Wagner nor Paolo are too iso-centric they balance playing within the offense while also making their presence known as the engines of the team. Their playmaking ability has enhanced and simplified the game for big men Wendell Carter Jr, Mo Bamba, Bol Bol, and as well as the rest of the roster. Especially in the midst of their up-and-down health at the guard position, it’s important to point out how both forwards have taken it upon themselves to be effective in that particular facet of the game this early in their careers. The promising start is also kudos to head coach Jamahl Mosley’s discipline and his philosophies to get two young stars on the rise to buy in.

Arguably the most fun and intriguing part of this Orlando Magic turnaround has been Bol Bol. The 7’2 Sudanese giant has been everything and more for a Magic team that’s turned various heads this season. After spending seasons buried on the Denver Nuggets depth chart with minimal playing time and back-and-forth G-League stints, Bol Bol was shipped to the Boston Celtics as a part of the package in exchange for a protected second-round pick. Bol Bol has one of the freakiest and quirkiest NBA frames. His 7’8 wingspan makes him an instant impact on the floor in all facets. On the season Bol Bol is averaging 12.2 points, seven rebounds, and just under two blocks a night. Even though Bol Bol’s stature suggests him to play “big” positions such as the four and the five he adopted a wing skillset before he stepped foot as a freshman at Oregon. His ability to put the ball on the hardwood and be an overwhelming mismatch regardless of the opposition is one of the bigger reasons he raised a lot of eyebrows in his lone season as a Duck. Even though Bol Bol only participated in nine games at Oregon before suffering a season-ending stress fracture in his left foot he was still able to average 21 points and nine rebounds a game. When Bol Bol was selected with the 44th overall pick in the second round scouts were skeptical of his foot injury and as well as if he’d eventually fill out his body. Fast forward to after being passed on by the Nuggets and the Boston Celtics Bol Bol found himself in Orlando where he was able to showcase why he was such a touted prospect out of Findlay Prep (CA).

Bol Bol has adjusted seamlessly in the starting lineup besides fellow star wings in Banchero and Wagner. Bol Bol’s impeccable height allows him to see everything on the floor, unlike any other player. Of course, he’s not the only seven-footer in the NBA that enjoys the luxury of seeing the floor at that type of level but Bol Bol’s fluidity and excess of off-the-dribble moves is what separates him from the rest of seven-footers. Once Bol Bol tracks down a rebound he’s immediately looking to push the ball. Bol shoots a ridiculous 81.1% from the restricted area which ranks fourth in the NBA. In half-court settings, he’s fairly comfortable as both the pick-and-roll ball handler and roller. Bol possesses good hands and thinks fast around the rim. Bol isn’t the most outstanding perimeter shooter but he’s without a doubt a threat because it’s nearly impossible to block his shot so you have to respect him out there. Of the 12.2 points Bol is putting up a night, only 7.5% of those points come in the mid-range and 17.3% come from the three-point line. . Now most likely due to the talented personnel in the starting lineup and already established hierarchy amongst primary shot creators Bol’s been for the most part a secondary source of offense this year so that is really the explanation for the inconsistent shot volume but the ability is there. He’s a versatile flexible big that can play off of others and guard multiple positions. Bol’s ability as a willing playmaker, rim runner, shot blocker, and rebounder has only elevated Orlando. The resurgence amongst these Magic wings/bigs has us believing without a doubt they’ll be in the mix later on. The Orlando Magic a month from now if healthy may be completely different than the current version we see on the court right now. Both promising dynamic point guards Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony will be turning the corner as they’re getting their legs under them after recently returning from injuries. Wendell Carter Jr. who was off to a career-year start has been sidelined with a foot injury but the buzz is going around that a return to the hardwood is looming soon. Terrence Ross and Gary Harris are two solid complimentary veteran shooters. Once Orlando rounds out cohesively as a healthy unit, they’ll be without a doubt fighting for a play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.