Magic Star Paolo Banchero 'Looking Forward' to Playoffs

Paolo Banchero is making his first playoff appearance for the Orlando Magic.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 18, 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) walks up court after a / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

ORLANDO - It didn't take long for Paolo Banchero to get the Orlando Magic back to the playoffs.

Less than two years ago, the Magic were 22-60 with the No. 1 overall pick. Now, the team has improved by 25 games and qualified for the No. 5 seed to face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs, which begin Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.

Despite the aura that the playoffs bring, Banchero doesn't seem to fazed by the bright lights.

"I don't think it feels very different," Banchero said. "Just, you know, with us playing [Cleveland] as many times we played them...They know us very well. So it does feel kind of regular just prepping for but obviously the environment, the atmosphere, the lights, and everything will be a little different, but I'm just looking forward to getting out there competing again."

Banchero has been extremely important for the Magic, leading the team in points, rebounds and assists. He took a step forward in each of those averages compared to his rookie year. His growth also was apparent beyond the box score. His cool, calm and collected demeanor matches his head coach Jamahl Mosley and that has helped him prepare for the moment.

The Magic are not minimizing the significance of the playoffs, they know they are at the next level. But the Magic see the game as the same as before. Go out, defend hard, distribute the ball on offense and play for one another. That formula, with Banchero as the head of the snake, is what will get the Magic through their playoff run.

Published Apr 18, 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.