Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Reveals Why Orlando Has Been Successful Without Paolo Banchero

Paolo Banchero hasn't played the last two games for the Orlando Magic. Yet the team has won each game without its best player.

Jeremy Brener | Nov 12, 2022

Magic Coach Jamahl Mosley Reveals Why Orlando Has Been Successful Without Paolo Banchero /

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is on its first win streak of the season after a 114-97 win against the Phoenix Suns.

But the way the team's first win streak of the season came about was unexpected, especially after it was announced that Paolo Banchero would sit out of each of the team's last two games with a sprained ankle.

Banchero's absence has triggered several players to step up, including Wendell Carter Jr., who scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Friday's win. Carter was one of eight players to score at least eight points in the win.

"We're gonna continue to do it by committee," coach Jamahl Mosley said. "And even when Paolo gets back, it's a similar situation. Guys are gonna continue to do it by committee. When their number is called, they'll be ready to go."

That's been the Magic's motive all season long ... do it by committee. There's no one player whose load rests on his shoulders alone. Orlando is playing true team basketball.

That's been prevalent since the beginning of the season, as seven players average 10 points per game or more. Chuma Okeke has stepped into the starting lineup with Banchero out and has helped out tremendously on the defensive end.

"You talk about a young man that is willing to step in be versatile and guard any position," Mosley said. "He's taken on the challenge... He's got a great knack for going after the basketball. He's done a great job stepping into his role."

On a team like the Magic, every player knows that tonight could be their night to step up. Even with Banchero out, arguably their best player, it doesn't quite change the way the Magic play. All season long, the team has gone into every night playing together and knowing that it might be their turn to step up. By building that foundation, the Magic still look like an extremely capable team despite injuries stunting their growth.

When the team eventually gets healthy, it might cook up a recipe for success in Orlando.

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Published Nov 12, 2022

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.