Paolo looks like a legit NBA player already, which is a surprise to me. He actually look more polished than every top pick in the 2021 draft, including media favorites like Barnes and Mobley. Jabari is starting to live up to his expectations, but I think his career trajectory is on a different path because he will likely be a "specialist" type of player where Paolo is more of well rounded player. It remains to be seen who will make more impact to winning years from now.
Jabari is 25 pounds of muscle from being a superstar. He has the form, he has the attitude, he has the bbiq. Amazing at barely 20 years old. The game has slowed down for him much quicker than it did for Jalen. No, Jiggy, he doesn’t have the handles yet, but it’s coming. He has the work ethic to develop anything.
Paolo Banchero is a great rookie - a better rookie even - but more well rounded? Give me a break. The game is HALF offense and HALF defense. That's it, there's nothing else. Every stat you know fits in those two categories of offense and defense. Half the game the players play offense, and the other half they play defense. Paolo can't guard a chair and has never been a good defender. He plays half the floor. Jabari is going to be destroying you on both sides, plus rebounding and shotblocking despite being rail thin (an easy fix). Paolo will generate 3-5 more points than Jabari down the road, is that going to make up the difference in their defense? lol In the long haul, give me Jabari. People talk about "Jabari is the type of player that helps you win and you don't know why". I know why. It doesn't show up in highlights and it doesn't show up on ESPN. It's called defense. A 6'11 guy with a massive wingspan who can guard the perimeter and block shots is going to change the formulas. He's a true unicorn. Paolo is going to be great, he's going to be the next Blake Griffin or James Harden. You wanna know who won titles from the 2009 draft though? It's Steph Curry, Jrue Holiday and Danny Green. We got the right guy. Give Paolo this season, let him have the ROTY award.
We all talking down Paolo but the reality is if we actually had him we'd be laughing at Orlando picking Smith. Jabari's playing better but there is no need to slander another great rookie who actually wanted to be a Rocket.
We would all probably wonder why Paolo is standing in the corner while KPJ and Jalen dribble out the clock and not pass to him. I would bet any amount of money we would be saying Paolo was picked in the the correct spot. You think Silas would make Paolo the PG over KPJ? The Magic immediately gave Paolo the ball to run offense day one, recognizing his talents. Silas still hasn't done that with Bari.
Bancharo is capable of handling the ball, Jabari is not. If anything, the Sengun simps would be in their feelings about Bancharo playing over their guy.
Silas is not using Jabari well, nor do we have any playmakers that can consistently get him the ball in ideal positions. But he still has the green light, and arguably a greener light than any Rockets rookie has had over the last 20 years not name Francis. Man launches it with no hesitation even if he shoots 6-17 (as he should, he needs to launch) and the only time he gets stuck to the bench is when Silas forgets he exists lol.
Paolo is best with the ball in his hands. He probably passes better than KPJ. I'm saying Silas is incapable of scheming to anyone strengths. Silas wouldnt take the ball out of KPJ's hands and let Banchero run offense because he is infatuated with KPJ being Luka. My point is Paolo would probably look like ass here too because Silas wouldnt put him in position to succeed anyway. Silas would say Paolo is not a good enough lob threat for KPJ or something stupid. OR Silas would only use Paolo like he was Bruno and not use his other skills. we would more than likely think Paolo was ass the first 25 games too. Paolo would be playing with Sengun btw.
the man launches because he knows he won't get the ball back. And Silas is telling the man to launch. Everyone has the same green light - Gary Matthews, Tari, KJ, EVERYONE . Anyone can shoot if they want to thats why our offense is ass, there are no plays.
also that man Paolo cant hit 3s to save his life. Silas might legit bench him if he isn't a lob threat for KPJ and can't play D. No way Silas going to put the ball in his hands to showcase his really talents.
I'd rather have Bari for this particular rebuilding team than Paolo . Now if we add a few impactful vets with consistency and concrete roles , I'm sure I'd rather have Paolo. You need multiple guys that are , good to great , playmakers to become a legitimate contender . Especially the way the game is headed.. I think Bari will become a consistent 20/8 guy with good shooting splits.. But I'd rather have the eventually 25/10 guy that can get buckets and take over when Jalen doesnt.
Paolo screams to me like an aging Carlos Boozer who can't play defense to save his life. If he was a Chris Webber I'd be excited to watch him play, but a poor man's Blake Griffin without the exciting hops may be the best he can hope for. I'd take Jabari in 5 years easily (if he stays healthy). That jump shot and defense will be a great off set to this team.
I gotta disagree and I like Jabari. Banchero is talented and at worst is a Boozer player. He can initiate the offense which also allows us to move off of KPJ as a starter
Boozer? Damn that ain't good.. lol .. I admit, I haven't seen him play much but my 1st thought when I did see him play was " That's a big mfer. He's gonna be a damn problem" .. I hope he works and masters his strengths of his game because he has the look of an eventual monster ..
Boozer is better than people remember him. They definitely have similarities (even Duke pedigree) and criticisms (work ethic). He definitely has the talent as you mentioned but will he put it together? I thought Corey Maggette was that dude and he just didn't care
I think Orlando would do him justice by letting him grow into that lead role instead of just handing the keys to him.. Not many can handle that well enough to meet and exceed expectations.. . And that was before all this analytical acronyms stuff.. I'm sure that stuff can **** with a " young prodigy's " confidence and mentality if driven home continuously. Right now , looks like they letting him do him because they suck .. Eventually they're gonna have to have that " play the right way" talk.. We'll see how he handles it..
