Magic star forward Paolo Banchero bristles at the notion that he and Franz Wagner can’t coexist on the court.
“I think that’s bull—,” Banchero told Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “I’m not going to lie. People are going to say whatever they want to say about me, Franz and whoever. But we know that we’re at our strongest when both of us are out there on the floor.
“People say that the ball moves more (when only one of us is out there). I don’t think that’s true, honestly,” Banchero continued. “I think sometimes you beat teams or you play certain games and it may look that way, but if you really watch and analyze, we play the same way every game. Nothing changes when somebody is out. We play the same way, especially on offense. Nothing really changes. I don’t buy too much into that (perception), but it is frustrating to see that and hear that just because, like I said, we’re at our best when both of us are out there.”
Banchero also addressed his shooting struggles. He entered Tuesday’s contest against the Trail Blazers shooting 43.4 percent from the field and a career-low 23.7 percent on 3-point attempts. He feels the groin strain that cost him 10 games had something to do with it.
“It was definitely a setback,” Banchero said. “Nothing major, but definitely a minor setback. Just frustrating. But I was able to just focus on the rehab process and then get back on the court (as) quick as possible. I knew coming back that, with it being a groin injury, it would take some time. But I’ve been feeling better, and I’m looking forward to just kind of taking off and really finding my feet and starting to play some really good basketball.”
Here’s more on the Magic:
- With Jalen Suggs out, rookie Jase Richardson received extended minutes for the third game in a row on Monday. He had 11 points in 22 minutes in a 23-point loss to Golden State but turned the ball over three times, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel notes.
- Wendell Carter Jr. was held to nine points by the Warriors after reaching double figures in his previous four outings. He’s shot the ball well all season — a career-best 54.1 percent overall and 42.2 on 3-point attempts. “That’s just who we want him to be — just aggressive, shooting the 3, getting to the rim, rebounding on the boards and defending,” Banchero told Beede.
- Goga Bitadze (left knee strain) missed Tuesday’s game at Portland, the second of a back-to-back. Coach Jamahl Mosley said during his pregame press conference that Bitadze suffered his left knee strain when he got kicked in the knee as he was going up for a rebound, Beede tweets.