Magic Legend Dennis Scott Has Paolo Banchero Request: 'Take Care of Him!'

Paolo Banchero is emerging as the next Orlando Magic star.

Jeremy Brener | Feb 12, 2024

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Orlando Magic

ORLANDO - Only 16 people in Orlando Magic franchise history have made the All-Rookie First Team. The first was Dennis Scott in 1991 ... the latest was Paolo Banchero in 2023.

Now in his second season, Banchero is taking another stride after making the All-Star team. Scott may have been on his way to that trajectory, but he suffered an injury early on in his second season that knocked him out for the year.

That following offseason, the Magic drafted Shaquille O'Neal and Scott reverted to a complementary role. But with Orlando on the come-up, Scott pleaded to the franchise who drafted him with a simple request.

"Please take care of Paolo because he's a real good kid," Scott said. "He wants to win. He wants to do the right things. Sometimes he's over unselfish. I think he should have shot a little bit more but now he's been taught the right way. So he's over unselfish. I just hope you all take good care of him."

Scott and Banchero were working on a segment for television at the end of the Magic's practice on Monday afternoon, and you can sense a particular pride when the 3-D talks about Paolo.

Maybe it stems from similar upbringings in the NBA or the "Magic brotherhood," but Scott has been around the league for 30+ years, and his analysis on Banchero should be a look into the crystal ball that Orlando is in very good hands moving forward.

Cole Anthony Praises 'Talented Group' After Win vs. Bulls

The Magic are back in action tomorrow night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

Published Feb 12, 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.