An in-depth feature on the Orlando Magic, penned by The Ringer scribe Rob Mahoney, has given people another perspective of franchise star Paolo Banchero. Like many players, he’s an avid film watcher. However, because of his dynamic skillset, he’s studying guards, forwards, and centers alike.
While he was out with a torn oblique, the 2022 No. 1 pick “was blending tape of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Al Jefferson, and Joe Johnson,” Mahoney reveals, adding that Banchero has “also spent time watching how Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic work against multiple defenders.”
Explaining how he chooses what to dissect, Banchero says: “I feel like I have a play style but if I’m able to take little things from random guys who all were masters of different things, then that’s how I get better.”
In 2024-25, Banchero’s averaging 24.2 points and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field. He’s one of 12 players averaging at least 24 points and 5 assists per game this season. Of those players, he’s the youngest at 22 years old.
Magic’s Paolo Banchero Studying Film Of 5 Intriguing Players
In terms of today’s stars, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic are all perennial NBA MVP candidates. In fact, Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic are both vying to win the 2025 NBA MVP Award. Former forward-center Al Jefferson and former wing Joe Johnson weren’t on that trio’s level. Nevertheless, they were both named All-NBA selections and were considered elite scorers in their prime.
Now, Banchero didn’t mention exactly what he wants to take from each of those players. However, it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out.
Contemporary Stars
To start, Jokic and Doncic’s combination of court vision and passing ability is top-tier. This allows them to take extra advantage of defenses that load up against them. With Banchero often tasked with making plays with multiple defenders on him, he can learn a lot from their cadence and decision-making. Their ability to excel with a live dribble or with a post-up, as facilitators or scorers, only makes watching them more beneficial.
Gilgeous-Alexander is another player who carves up defenses like Christmas ham.
He has tremendous touch, which is why he’s made at least 50 percent of his field goal attempts in four of his last five seasons. Yet, he’s also a rather unorthodox lead guard who plays his own pace. For all the discussion about his ability to draw fouls, he’s not baiting refs but his opponents. With that in mind, Banchero also has a penchant for getting to the free-throw line. In fact, he takes just -0.6 fewer free-throw attempts per game than Gilgeous-Alexander.
A Generation Past
As previously mentioned, Jefferson and Johnson were among the best scorers of their generation.
At 6-foot-10 and 289 pounds, Jefferson was usually found around the rim. Yet, he was also able to step away from the basket and nail a jumper. For Banchero, who’s also 6-foot-10, Jefferson’s low-post footwork is well worth the watch. Johnson, listed at 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, was much more of a perimeter-oriented isolation scorer. Though not particularly explosive, his tight handle allowed to create space with relative ease.
For Banchero, Johnson’s ability to generate separation while not possessing prototypical athleticism would certainly have some appeal.
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