With the 2022-23 NBA season approaching, the Orlando Sentinel is unveiling a five-part collection of Orlando Magic storylines to keep watch over heading into coaching camp, which suggestions off Tuesday at their new state-of-the-art AdventHealth Coaching Middle. Half one addressed whether or not the Magic did sufficient to show round their taking pictures woes, whereas half two targeted on injury-related questions.
Half Three: The Rookies
Paolo Banchero and Caleb Houstan took step one of their NBA careers on the identical evening. However the exterior expectations surrounding them couldn’t be extra stark getting into their rookies seasons.
Houstan faces minimal exterior strain because the Magic’s second-round decide (No. 32).
As the highest decide in June’s NBA draft, all eyes on are Banchero.
Banchero’s used to consideration after being a 5-star and enjoying at Duke throughout coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last season.
He’s accustomed to excessive expectations and has embraced the strain.
Banchero used summer time league to assist present he might be the type of go-to man folks count on most No. 1 picks to be.
That course of will proceed as soon as the Magic begin camp.
Orlando’s tried to not publicly place too many expectations for Banchero, however he’s the preseason favourite to win Rookie of the 12 months for a cause: he would be the closest factor to a go-to offensive possibility on this draft class.
It’s the wager the Magic are taking whereas additionally understanding whether or not Banchero will dwell as much as the long-term expectations received’t be answered instantly.
“We’re going to ask him to do numerous issues,” coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned on the Magic’s official podcast, Pod Squad. “He’ll be on the elbow, he’ll deal with the basketball, he’ll be on the publish, he’ll be on the wing — there will likely be all these spots he’ll be in, however he’s going to need to be taught the tempo in every spot. Bodily, he’s going to have the ability to get to the basket [and] punish defenses.”
Banchero’s bodily attributes (6-10, 250 kilos) are eye-popping and may assist make the adjustment to the NBA’s physicality in comparison with faculty simpler.
“He’s going to be a man who can get to the paint when he must,” Mosley added. “Get to the free throw line when he must and that’s what we’ll maintain imploring him to do. He has that present. It’s not a egocentric present as a result of as soon as he will get there, groups are going to begin collapsing and he has the mentality to search out the open man.”
To Mosley, the way in which Banchero sees and reads the sport is simply as, if no more, spectacular than his bodily presents.
It’s why Banchero is predicted to be one of many Magic’s prime decision-makers — not simply as a scorer, however as a passer, playmaker/offensive hub and off the ball.
“He’s simply bodily so gifted,” Mosley mentioned, “however his thoughts is so much like the way in which Franz [Wagner] sees the sport, the way in which Markelle [Fultz] sees the sport, the way in which Wendell [Carter Jr.] can see the sport.
“The power to know when, the place, why I’m doing it and tips on how to do it, [Banchero] has that in him already. We watched movie collectively throughout summer time league and we’d sit and pause the movie and say, ‘Inform me what you see.’ And he’s breaking issues down, ‘If he is available in right here, I can transfer this man there. If I can flip the nook, I can go for the lob.’ He’s breaking issues down immediately now. As a result of he has the pass-first mentality, it’s going to be one other decision-maker.”
It’s unknown the place Houstan, a 5-star out of Montverde Academy, will fall on the Magic’s “decision-maker” hierarchy.
Not like Banchero, who’s anticipated to begin from Day One, Houstan’s position is unclear.
Houstan has the potential to knock down 3s and defend at a excessive degree, making him a powerful match for the Magic on the wings.
Gary Harris having arthroscopic surgical procedure on Aug. 31 to carry out a meniscectomy in his left knee after tearing cartilage leaves his standing for camp and the beginning of season unknown. That might open alternatives for Houstan.
It additionally wouldn’t be shocking if the Magic had Houstan spend time with their G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic, so he may get extra enjoying time.
Banchero will get to showcase himself in 2022-23, along with his rookie season being about gaining a greater understanding of his skillset and getting snug within the league.
The identical will likely be true for Houstan relating to understanding the league and his skillset. How and when these alternatives will come for him is unknown.
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Electronic mail Khobi Value at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or observe him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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