{"id":127298,"date":"2025-03-06T16:23:45","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T21:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=127298"},"modified":"2025-03-06T16:23:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T21:23:45","slug":"magic-paolo-banchero-studying-film-5-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/06\/magic-paolo-banchero-studying-film-5-players\/","title":{"rendered":"Magic’s Paolo Banchero Studying Film Of 5 Intriguing Players"},"content":{"rendered":"

An in-depth feature on the Orlando Magic, penned by The Ringer scribe Rob Mahoney, has given people another perspective<\/a> of franchise star Paolo Banchero<\/a>. Like many players, he’s an avid film watcher.\u00a0 However, because of his dynamic skillset<\/a>, he’s studying guards, forwards, and centers alike.<\/p>\n

While he was out with a torn oblique<\/a>, 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.”<\/p>\n

Explaining how he chooses what to dissect, Banchero says: \u201cI feel like I have a play style but if I\u2019m able to take little things from random guys who all were masters of different things, then that\u2019s how I get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Magic’s Paolo Banchero Studying Film Of 5 Intriguing Players<\/h2>\n

In terms of today’s stars, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a>, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic<\/a>, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic<\/a> 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<\/a> and former wing Joe Johnson<\/a> weren’t on that trio’s level. Nevertheless, they were both named All-NBA selections and were considered elite scorers in their prime.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Contemporary Stars<\/h4>\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n