Paul Banchero, the 2022 NBA draft champion produced by Duke University, took only 11 games to basically make the competition for the best rookie award lose suspense, and winning the award can be described as a pinch. Perhaps Banchero's next goal should be the NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City on February 19.
Banchero currently averages 23.5 points + 8.3 rebounds + 3.6 assists per game, and if Banchero can maintain this number until the end of the season, 23.5 points will be the highest score for a rookie since Allen Iverson in 1997, as strong as the chosen son James, and only 20.9 points in his rookie season.
What's even scarier is that his four games in November (25.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists) are better than his seven games in October (22.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists), and in the last two games, Banchero has cut crazy numbers of 33+16+4 30+6+4. Banchero is always improving, and with unlimited fire and autonomy from the Magic, Banchero's numbers may get better, and maybe the only thing that can stop Banchero is the rookie wall.
If anyone had any doubts before the start of the season about the Magic's choice of Banchero over Jabari Smith Jr., then just look at the head-to-head showdown between the Magic and the Rockets and how Banchero blasted Smith, and the doubters could shut up, Banchero was 12-of-14, slashing 30 points, 6 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Smith? Scored 3 points on 1-of-4 shooting in 22 minutes, plus 3 turnovers and 4 fouls.
Currently, Banchero ranks in the top 20 for points, rebounds, points per game, free throws and minutes played. He scored more points than Towns or Paul George, grabbed more rebounds than Bam Adebayo, dunked more than LeBron James, and made more free throws than Morant or Jason Tatum. His usage rate (29.4) is higher than the likes of Zion Williamson or DeMar DeRozan.
Does that Banchero have a chance to be selected as an All-Star? Since 2000, only two rookies have made it to the All-Star Game, Blake Griffin in 2011 and Yao Ming in 2003. Back in the '90s, five people did that. Tim Duncan in 1998, Grant Hill in 1995, Shaquille O'Neill in 1993, Dickenberg Mutombo in 1992 and David Robinson in 1990.
Golfers, do you think Banchero will be able to make it to the All-Star Game? Or what conditions are Banchero short of being an All-Star? Follow the editor, see you in our comment area!