Is Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero an All-Star this 2023-24 season? If you ask NBA legend Jamal Crawford, the answer is a resounding YES!
Banchero has been phenomenal for the rising Magic, and he has certainly been making his case for his first All-Star appearance. On Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks, the Team USA star dropped 35 points and 10 rebounds to lead Orlando to the overtime win. He also added four assists, three steals and two blocks against just two turnovers in a highly efficient game.
When the Magic needed him the most as well, he stepped up. After the Hawks forced overtime, Banchero took matters into his own hands to make sure they leave the game with a win. Orlando scored 12 points in OT to edge Atlanta, and eight of those came from Banchero.
Sure enough, following the victory and another sensational display from the second-year forward, there were plenty of conversations about his All-Star candidacy. And among those who endorsed him was Jamal Crawford.
The three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner re-tweeted a post from NBA on ESPN citing Paolo Banchero’s stats from his last five games. It ended with a question: “All-Star PB5?”
In response, Crawford said: “No doubt!!!”
No doubt!!! https://t.co/ieSlfgCmuw
— 🏁 Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 8, 2024
Banchero is definitely posting All-Star numbers with the Orlando Magic. In 36 games so far, he’s averaging 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He’s shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from deep.
Over his last 10 games, however, Banchero has upped his production to 29.4 points, 8.1 boards, 5.7 dimes and 1.2 steals–all while shooting 44.2 percent overall and 40.7 percent from deep.
Those are surely All-Star-worthy numbers. Not to mention that the Magic have been winning, with Orlando fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 21-15 record at the time of writing.
Where Is Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero in All-Star Voting?
The 2024 All-Star voting has already started, with the first returns being released recently. Unsurprisingly, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is on the list of early vote-getters.
However, Banchero isn’t really getting a lot of love, as he’s 10th among the frontcourt players in the East. He has accumulated 163,588 votes, with Kyle Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis and Mikal Bridges even above him.
It remains to be seen how much Banchero will move when the next batch of votes comes in. But with the way he’s playing, he’s certainly turning a lot of heads. Hopefully, that turns into more votes for him.
With Jamal Crawford’s endorsement, he should be able to get more support as well.
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