Why Paolo Banchero Deserves More Credit - And Less Blame - in Orlando
Paolo Banchero hasn’t just been the face of the Orlando Magic’s rebuild - he’s been the engine. And yet, despite his production and upside, he continues to shoulder criticism that doesn’t quite match the reality on the court.
The truth? Most of the issues dogging Orlando’s offense aren’t about Banchero’s game.
They’re about the system he’s operating in.
Let’s be clear: Banchero is doing his job. He’s averaging 21.7 points and 4.1 assists per game while shooting a solid 46.1% from the field.
That’s not just respectable - that’s high-level production from a 22-year-old forward still early in his NBA journey. But the structure around him?
That’s where the real scrutiny should be aimed.
Too Much Isolation, Not Enough Movement
Watch a few Magic possessions and a pattern starts to emerge. Far too often, Banchero gets the ball late in the shot clock - sometimes with only eight or nine seconds left - and is expected to create something out of thin air. That’s a tough ask for any player, let alone a young star still growing into his role.
There’s minimal off-ball movement. Teammates aren’t cutting or screening with purpose.
There’s little misdirection to keep defenses guessing. So when Banchero catches the ball, he’s often staring down a set defense, help defenders already loading up, and a paint that’s closing fast.
It’s not that he can’t score in those situations - he often does - but it’s not sustainable offense, and it’s certainly not putting him in a position to succeed consistently.
The Blame Game Misses the Bigger Picture
It’s easy to look at a scoring drought or a tough night and point fingers at the star player. But the reality is more nuanced. When the offense bogs down, it’s not just about one guy missing shots - it’s about how the team is generating those shots in the first place.
Banchero isn’t out there freelancing by choice. He’s often forced into improvisation because the play design doesn’t offer him much else.
That’s a structural issue, not a player flaw. And yet, when the offense stalls, it’s Banchero who takes the heat - even though he’s working against the grain of a system that too often leaves him isolated.
Signs of Progress - But Room to Grow
To the Magic’s credit, there have been some signs of offensive improvement this season. Orlando currently ranks ninth in offensive rating - a jump that reflects both individual growth and some tweaks in execution. That’s encouraging, and it shows what Banchero can do when given a little more space and rhythm to work with.
Still, the offense remains a work in progress. The tempo is slower than ideal, and spacing can be inconsistent.
There’s a need for more motion, more ball movement, and more creativity in how they use their best player. Because when Banchero gets the ball in rhythm - when the defense isn’t already set and collapsing - he’s a problem.
A good one, if you’re Orlando.
Building Around a Star the Right Way
The Magic have something special in Paolo Banchero. He’s already shown he can score, facilitate, and carry a heavy load. But if Orlando wants to unlock his full potential - and take the next step as a team - they need to do more than just hand him the ball and hope for the best.
It’s time to give him a system that works with him, not against him. That means better spacing, quicker actions, and more dynamic sets that create advantages before he even touches the ball.
Because when that happens, Banchero doesn’t just survive - he thrives. And so does the Magic offense.
The criticism? It’s been loud at times.
But it’s increasingly clear that it’s been misdirected. Banchero isn’t the problem - he’s been a solution waiting for the right support.