2024 Orlando Magic First Half MVP: Paolo Banchero became him
The Orlando Magic have been looking for a star for the past decade. In the last 20 games, they got confirmation they may finally have one in the fold.
Unfortunately, the lasting image of the Orlando Magic’s second quarter of the season is disappointment. There is a bad taste in everyone’s mouth as they stare at the standings and wonder how the Magic found themselves outside the huddled pack fighting for a sure Playoff spot.
The hot start from November has faded into the background. The grind of a playoff chase and the pain of injuries set in during these past 20 games. The Magic are facing some hard truths about their roster and how far they still have to go to get to the level they want to be at.
Those truths also revealed something else. Something that will be far more important have wider reaching effects for the Magic.
Yes, there was frustration. Nothing probably symbolizes the Magic’s second quarter of the season more than Paolo Banchero cursing at himself for missing two opportunities to deliver a big win over the Miami Heat on the road just a few weeks ago.
Then again, nothing symbolizes the potential for the Magic to continue growing from their second quarter of the season more than the position Banchero consistently put the team in again and again and the burden he feels to carry this team through everything else.
Walking off the floor in Miami, the Magic would not have been in that situation without two ridiculously tough shots over the defense to give the Magic a brief one-point lead. Just as Banchero was quiet the entire game against the Atlanta Hawks until hitting a crucial three that would have delivered the Magic a win if not for Dejounte Murray’s final possession heroics.
There is a lot to stay about the Magic and how they need to improve. There is a lot to say even about Banchero and how he can continue to evolve and get better.
But one thing everyone can say about the Magic through the first half of the season is that they have a star in Banchero. They have someone who can suck in the defense’s attention and overcome it. They have a clutch player able to hit big shots in big moments and lift his team when the clock is ticking down.
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