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, 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 back-to-back years.
Magic two-way contract player Trevelin Queen was named the MVP of the G League Next Up Game after leading Team Earn Your Leisure to a victory in the tournament’s championship game over Team BallisLife, which included fellow Magic two-way player Kevon Harris.
And Magic Gaming All-Star Joshua “unguardable” Hunter was around town, too, serving as a brand ambassador to help grow 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.
Banchero completed his action-packed weekend by recording six points, nine rebounds and five assists during the East’s 211-186 victory over the West in the 73rd NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was the first time an NBA All-Star team eclipsed 200 points.
“It was great. I’ve been smiling the whole night – for real,” he said. “This is all I was waiting for, Sunday. Just being around the fans, all these players – it was special.”
Paolo Banchero's NBA All-Star Intro
What was abundantly clear throughout the weekend is that the NBA is loaded with elite talent. So much so that one could argue that we’ve never seen the league possess this many top-tier players at the same time.
A big reason for that, as Banchero pointed out, is that the older generation of superstars, such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, are still playing at elite levels and the younger generation of stars, including Banchero and skills challenge teammates Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama, are playing at levels beyond their ages. Then, of course, as you’d expect, several of the All-Stars that are in the prime of their careers are MVP candidates, including Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“I look at it as more like levels or tiers – guys and where they are at in their career, what they’ve done already in the league (like) championships or playoffs,” Banchero said. “The older guys have done all that stuff. There are the middle ground guys who are doing it. Then, there are the young guys who are trying to do it and are chasing it. I think it’s great for the league. It’s great for me – a young guy like me to be able to chase after these guys and try and move my way up.”
With this weekend now a wrap, Banchero can now recharge before Magic practices and games resume. At 30-25, Orlando is in eighth place in the East, but is only a ½ 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 Kia Center, and 16 of those 27 games are against teams with losing records currently.
Banchero and Franz Wagner have a chance to make history as well. If 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 marks 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 this playoff spot, and (I’m) excited to see everybody (back in Orlando).”