INDIANAPOLIS – What a weekend it was for the Orlando Magic organization!
Paolo Banchero became the fifth player in NBA All-Star Weekend history to participate in Friday’s Rising Stars Game in at least one of the Saturday night events and Sunday’s All-Star Game in the same year.
Osceola Magic star Mac McClung became the fifth player to win the slam dunk contest in recent years.
Magic two-way player Trevelin Queen was named the G League Next Up Game MVP after leading Team Earn Your Leisure to a tournament championship game victory over Team BallisLife, which included Magic two-way player Kevon Harris.
And Magic Gaming All-Star Joshua Hunter was in town as well, serving as a brand ambassador to help develop the NBA 2K League.
With all that representation and success, without a doubt this was one of the best All-Star Weekends in franchise history.
Bancero capped his action-packed weekend with six points, nine rebounds and five assists in the East’s 211-186 win over the West in 73.rd NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was the first time an NBA All-Star team scored 200 points.
“It’s been great. I’ve been smiling all night β actually,” he said. “This is what I’ve been waiting for, Sunday. To be around the fans, all those players β it was special.”
NBA All-Star Induction by Paolo Banchero
What was clear all weekend is that the NBA is loaded with elite talent. So much so that one could argue that we’ve never seen the league have so many top tier players at once.
A big reason for that, Banchero pointed out, is that the older generation of superstars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry are still playing at elite levels, and the younger generation of stars, including Banchero and teammates of the skills challenge, Anthony. Edwards and Victor Wembanyama, play at levels beyond their years. Then of course, as you’d expect, several of the All-Stars in the prime of their careers are MVP candidates, including Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
βI look at it more like levels or tiers β guys and where they are in their careers, what they’ve already done in the league (like) the championships or the playoffs,β Banchero said. βThe older guys have done all that. There are the middle guys who do. Then there are the young guys trying to do it and chasing it. I think it’s great for the league. It’s great for me β for a young guy like me to be able to chase these guys and try to work my way up.β
With this weekend wrapped up, Banchero can now recharge before Magic practice and games resume. At 30-25, Orlando sits in eighth place in the East, but is only Β½ game back of sixth and three games back of fourth.
The Magic have a very “friendly” schedule the rest of the way. They play 15 of their remaining 27 games at the Kia Center, and 16 of those 27 games are against teams with a losing record right now.
Banchero and Franz Wagner also have a chance to make history. If they both average at least 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal, they will be the youngest pair of teammates to ever reach those levels in the same season.
“In the locker room (around other East All-Stars), we were talking about the standings and how intense it’s going to be after the break,” Banchero said. “Just ready to get back on the court, chase that playoff spot and (I’m) excited to see everybody (back in Orlando).”