Carmelo Anthony thinks Paolo Banchero just lacks the mentality Anthony Edwards needs to become a superstar.
Paolo Banchero was considered one of the most elite prospects to join the NBA when he was taken No. 1 overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
The Orlando Magic star made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year in 2023 and earning his first All-Star nomination the following year.
Banchero missed a lot of time last season due to injury. However, the Magic still offered Banchero a $239 million contract extension this offseason.
Zach Lowe believes Banchero is ready to take over next season. But Carmelo Anthony wants the Italian forward to change his mind.
Carmelo Anthony talked about Paolo Banchero on the Brooklyn podcast at 7 p.m. Melo wants Banchero to show some hunger for the new season.
Now that he has secured an extension, he must get into the right mentality and take a big leap forward in quality and performance.
“Now we have to start doing the same thing with Ant that we did with Paulo. He is a young superstar with a chance to make a big breakthrough.
“This is the year Paulo has to make a big leap forward. You have already established yourself as the type of player you want to be in the future.
“Let’s tighten it up there. Let’s get a different mentality. They have a team now. They have a good coach over there in Coach Mosley. Bane coming over there was a hell of a pickup. Jalen Suggs will be healthy.”
“Paulo is in a great position to take the next step. I’m not saying win the East or anything like that, but he has to move up from seventh or eighth to the top three.”
Paolo Banchero will lead the Orlando Magic heading into the new season. And for the first time ever, he has a legitimate team around him.
One of the Magic’s biggest weaknesses was their 3-point shooting, which they addressed by bringing Desmond Bane to Orlando.
Bane is one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA and will help teams space the floor and play aggressive defense on the perimeter.
All Banchero has to do is lead from the front on both ends and set the tone for the rest of his teammates to follow.