"If he doesn't work out, you didn't work him out then you're gonna look silly" - Dan Patrick criticizes Orlando Magic for drafting Paolo Banchero without pre-draft workout
Sportscaster Dan Patrick has criticized the Orlando Magic for selecting Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft without giving a pre-draft workout.
The lack of pre-draft workouts for Banchero led people to believe he was not going to be considered for the top spot. But just before the NBA draft, there was a sudden push for Banchero and he became the odds-on favorite to go No. 1.
Wow, this has been a crazy week for Paolo Banchero and his odds to go #1
He started the week at +1800 at some sportsbooks and now is the odds on favorite to go #1 at all the sportsbooks in the #NBADraft
This draft is going to be a lot of fun at Barclay’s tonight twitter.com/GamingTodayNew…
During a recent segment on the Dan Patrick Show, Dan Patrick acknowledged Banchero's talent, but slammed Orlando for not trying him out before selecting him.
"If I'm Orlando, why wouldn't I wanna bring in Paolo Banchero just in case somebody may go, 'Oh boy, they may take him, we want him.' Why not create the mirage that we're not quite sure, we may take him. If he doesn't work out, you didn't work him out then you're gonna look silly. I think he's ready to play, but I don't know what happened."
If Paolo Banchero turns out to be one of the best picks in the draft, the lack of workouts will be forgotten. But if he underperforms, Orlando will cop a lot of criticism.
Orlando ultimately elected to select Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick, giving the Magic a 6-foot-10, shot-creating dynamo who should be able carry a significant offensive load early in his career with his ability to handle, pass and shoot. My early ROY favorite. https://t.co/IH4fOezWX7
Paolo Banchero is the favorite for Rookie of the Year
The early odds for Rookie of the Year are an indicator of what to expect from the players entering the league. Paolo Banchero is currently listed as the favorite to win the award, which suggests that Orlando made the right decision.
He is followed by Jabari Smith Jr. and Chet Holmgren, with Jaden Ivey and Keegan Murray rounding out the top five.
Rookie of the Year Odds open up with Chet Holmgren at 11/2. https://t.co/f5CKCy0IlL
If Banchero wins the award, it is the first step in proving Orlando's front office right and analysts like Dan Patrick wrong.
Orlando ultimately elected to select Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick, giving the Magic a 6-foot-10, shot-creating dynamo who should be able carry a significant offensive load early in his career with his ability to handle, pass and shoot. My early ROY favorite. https://t.co/IH4fOezWX7