"Paolo Banchero making a b**ch out of Jabari Smith Jr", "Paolo is now a dad", "Gonna cook his a** worse in regular-season" - Fans react as Banchero dominates fellow rookie Smith Jr in Summer League
The showdown between Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr. was one of the most highly-anticipated match-ups of the 2022 Summer League. Banchero, the No. 1 pick, dominated the No.3 pick, sending fans into a frenzy.
Banchero led the Orlando Magic to an impressive win against the Houston Rockets.
"Get that shit out of here!"
Paolo Banchero after blocking Jabari Smith Jr. https://t.co/1J9UlB9Wed
Banchero recorded a statline of 17 points, four rebounds and six assists.
Meanwhile, Jabari Smith Jr. was slow to get going. Smith was starved of possession and only attempted 10 shots in 30 minutes. He had an underwhelming performance and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
The next meeting between the two will take place in the regular season.
That said, here are some of the best reactions from fans on Twitter following their first meeting:
Paolo Banchero is straight up dominating Jabari Smith Jr. tonight…
😳 https://t.co/flKkHEdjX7
@LegionHoops Bro what, Jabari only has 3 field goal attempts because the guards don’t know how to pass
@LegionHoops Why do you have to bring up Jabari to praise Paolo??
@LegionHoops Paolo is now a dad. https://t.co/RDdjdpvBxm
Paolo Banchero is much more NBA ready than Jabari Smith Jr.
I really wanted Banchero. I think him and Chet are the clear top 2 in this class
If you watch college basketball then you are not shocked by what Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr. are doing. One is a Point Forward the other needs a point guard.
It appears Paolo Banchero may have circled this one vs. Jabari Smith Jr. https://t.co/4igKqOeeiI
@stevejones20 Rockets fans realizing they got finessed by Orlando and OKC 😂 https://t.co/yzcurr7sxX
I believe this is just the start of the Paolo Banchero vs. Jabari Smith Jr. rivalry, a rivalry that will be around for years to come.
Nah Paolo Banchero making a bitch out of Jabari Smith Jr
@RealSkipBayless Jabari was begging for the rock and was being ignored little bro. It’s summer league
@propagandapena @RealSkipBayless Paolo gon cook his ass worse in the regular season
@RealSkipBayless everyone knows he clears jabari lmao
@statmuse Banchero tonight https://t.co/hCy1H9cjbJ
Drama surrounding Paolo Banchero and Jabari Smith Jr.
Banchero vs. Smith Jr. has the makings of a future rivalry.
Rockets Made Trade Offer To Magic Once Paolo Banchero Emerged As No. 1 Pick basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/267849…
Several mock drafts saw Smith go as the No. 1 pick. As such, the Magic drafting Banchero at No. 1 came as a bit of a shock.
Houston had plans to draft Banchero at No. 3 and also suggested a trade when Orlando snapped him up. Unfortunately for the Rockets, Orlando was unwilling to trade for their newest acquisition.
Having players of their caliber is bound to do a world of good for the NBA. It will set an example for future draft classes and is likely to be one of the major talking points moving forward.
The rivalry is still farfetched. But the existing narrative could see Smith head into the regular-season with a massive chip on his shoulder.