NBA Power Rankings: 'Madman' Paolo Banchero Leading Magic

Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic were 2-2 this week. Where does that put them in this week's power rankings?

Jeremy Brener | Jan 9, 2024

NBA Power Rankings: 'Madman' Paolo Banchero Leading Magic /

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic have been crumbling lately after injuries have decimated the team. However, as players go down, reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero gets stronger.

Banchero is playing arguably the greatest stretch of basketball in his young career, putting the team on his back in the past week.

USATSI_22204226 — Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Those efforts have kept the Magic at No. 12 in the power rankings from CBS Sports.

"Orlando started off the week with losses to the Warriors and Kings, but pulled out impressive wins over the Nuggets and Hawks over the weekend," CBS Sports writes. "Paolo Banchero has been a madman, averaging 34 points, nine rebounds and 6.5 assists this week on 50% 3-point shooting."

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The Magic look to get back in the top 10 this week, but it will be difficult. The Minnesota Timberwolves, who hold the Western Conference's best record and the No. 6 spot in CBS Sports' power rankings, are in town tonight. Then Orlando goes back out on the road to play the Miami Heat (Fri.), Oklahoma City Thunder (Sat.) and New York Knicks (Mon.).

Published Jan 9, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.