Orlando Magic‘S Paolo Banchero He says his team can compete with anyone in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic, who made it to the postseason for the first time since 2020, are on the upside after going 47-35 for their best regular-season record since 2011.
“We feel like we belong there,” Banchero said on ESPN’s “First Take” program on Friday,
“We’ve been up there with all of those teams. I remember last year we started out as a top three, top two seed, and everybody thought it was a fluke. Everyone thought we were going to be a play-in team and fall out of the top of the East. But we finished strong and got the fifth seed, and at the end of the season actually had a chance to get the two seed.”
Banchero is one of the best young players in the NBA. He became an All-Star in just his second year in the league. So when he looked at the Eastern landscape, he felt his team needed to have these players. boston and New York, the top two seeds in the 2024 playoffs.
“We were in the same position last year, and like I said, this year we got better. I got better, we all got better. We have some new players that will be a huge help. We’re trying something new. We should easily be a top four, top three team and have a chance to win the East.”
Is Banchero’s statement completely true? Probably not.
The Magic eventually lost in the first round Cleveland Cavaliers In a tough seven-game series. The young team lost an 18-point lead in that game, an experience the Magic hope they can learn from. With an average age of 24.3, the Magic were the second-youngest team in the playoffs.
So when they got the opportunity to sign the two-time NBA champion Kentavious Caldwell-PopeThey rose to the occasion. Caldwell-Pope brings championship experience and shooting that the Magic lacked last season. Orlando was 26th in the league in 3-point percentage and struggled to create from the perimeter in the Cleveland series.
Additionally, longtime N.B.A. veteran Cory Joseph Also signed with Orlando. San Antonio Spurs In 2014, Joseph could prove to be a valuable mentor to the team’s younger players, such as Jalen Suggs And Cole Anthony,
In addition to the free-agent additions, Orlando has re-signed several rotation players such as forward Jonathan Isaacs and rising star Franz Wagner.It also drafted Tristan da SilvaA 6-foot-8 forward from Colorado who is likely to play minutes with his high IQ and perimeter shooting.
How did the Magic’s offseason compare to the rest of the East?
When looking at some of the moves other teams have made in the past, Orlando’s move seems pretty minor.
Philadelphia 76ers Made changes to their roster in free agency, picking up veterans like Paul George, Eric Gordon, Caleb Martin And Reggie JacksonAll players have deep postseason experience and, in Jackson’s case, an NBA championship. George was one of the biggest acquisitions in free agencyHe’s a career scorer at 20.8 points per game, and will be the third option on Philly’s roster behind the All-Star duo. Tyrese Maxey And Joel Embiidis giving Philadelphia An incredibly formidable forward and arguably the No. 1 threat for Boston in the conference.
The Knicks, who are second in the East, have also improved. Mikal BridgesThe 27-year-old is averaging 20 points per night this season and is considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. Also, The chemistry between him and the other former Villanova Wildcats on the team can only help.
also re-signed and Anunoby is expected to pay dividends for Nix.There’s no doubt that with him and Bridges, the Knicks have to be considered for the best defense in basketball.
Outside of those teams, Milwaukee Bucks with healthy Damian Lillard And Giannis Antentokounmpo will always be formidable. Likewise, Indiana Pacers They are also another young team that will look to do better a year after a great playoff showing. Same with the Cavaliers, who can rest easy knowing that Donovan Mitchell Commit to them for the long term.
So, while Banchero and the Magic have certainly improved, it remains to be seen how far they can go in what is shaping up to be the deepest position the East has seen in quite some time.