Banchero exudes shades of LeBron with 27-point debut
Paolo Banchero's transition to the NBA doesn't look like it'll prove too troublesome.
Though his Orlando Magic fell 113-109 to the Detroit Pistons in their season opener Wednesday, this year's No. 1 pick impressed, pouring in 27 points to go with nine rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in 35 minutes.
That stat line placed him in rarified air among NBA debutants: Banchero is the first player to record at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists on their Association debut since LeBron James had 25, six, and five, respectively, in 2003. Since the NBA's merger with the ABA, only three other players met the threshold in their first NBA game: Grant Hill, Willie Anderson, and Ron Harper.
🏀 Banchero (27-9-5), 10/19/22 at DET
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) October 20, 2022
🏀LeBron James (25-6-9), 10-29-03 at SAC
🏀Grant Hill (25-10-5), 11-4-94 vs LAL
🏀Willie Anderson (30-5-6), 11-5-88 vs LAL
🏀Ron Harper (27-5-5), 10-26-84 at PHI#MagicTogether #NBARooks
Banchero's most glaring comparison to James, however, might have been his loud fourth-quarter dunk over Pistons guard Cory Joseph, who tried fruitlessly to draw a charge.
🚨PAOLO POSTER🚨 @OrlandoMagic | #MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/QxUfU7JtlR
— Bally Sports Florida & Bally Sports Sun (@BallySportsFL) October 20, 2022
Banchero is the oddsmakers' clear favorite for Rookie of the Year. The last No. 1 pick to win the honor was Ben Simmons in 2018.