Magic Starting 5: Orlando PF Paolo Banchero Winning Rookie of the Year?

The Magic Insider lists five of the biggest NBA storylines in addition to relevant Orlando Magic news and analysis.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 4, 2023

Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

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Orlando Magic

"No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero has been the wire-to-wire winner," ESPN's Tim MacMahon writes. "The debate is which other rookies to put on the ballot (the right answer: Jalen Williams and Walker Kessler). Every rookie who has averaged at least 19 points, six rebounds and three assists since the ABA-NBA merger has won Rookie of the Year. Banchero will join Luka Doncic, Blake Griffin, Grant Hill, Larry Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Walter Davis in that club."

2. MAGIC VICTIMS OF SMALL MARKET BIAS?

"The Minnesota Timberwolves recently lost a close game to the Phoenix Suns on Mar. 29, and Rudy Gobert openly criticized the officiating, leading him to also believe that there is a greater league wide conspiracy to exalt teams the NBA for whatever reason deems favorable.

"If there is any merit to his claims, will the Orlando Magic get a fair shake at a championship in the future?"

3. LEBRON SPEAKS ON ANGEL REESE TAUNTING

LeBron James has spoken his peace in the Angel Reese debate, and the Los Angeles Lakers star issued some online support for the LSU Tigers basketball star who taunted Iowa's Caitlin Clark at the end of the national title game.

"FACTS!!!! Love to see it," LeBron wrote in response to a tweet about Reese's gesture.

LeBron then retweeted some takes about the trash talking between Reese and Clark - who, for the record, has been "guilty'' of using the same "You can't see me!'' gesture.

"If you praised Caitlin Clark as competitive, fiery, and passionate for doing the “You can’t See me” celebration and are criticizing Angel Reese for the same we already know!!" former NFL player Ryan Clark tweeted.

4. TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

5. NEXT MAGIC GAME

The Magic will return to action tonight when Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers come to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. You can watch in-market on Bally Sports Florida or out-of-market on NBA League Pass.

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Published Apr 4, 2023

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.