When the Boston Celtics gaze across the court at the Orlando Magic, they’re staring directly down into a puddle. Sure, a play here and there might disturb the glassy water, shaking up the image bouncing back at them. But, the resemblance returns when the waters calm.
Whether the two teams realize it or not, they resemble each other in more ways than one. Jayson Tatum should see himself in the young Paolo Banchero. No, not just in size, where Banchero is his equal and then some in both height and wingspan. Rather, in the nature by which they process the game.
Banchero is growing as a ball-handler every day, comfortable in navigating non-traditional pick-and-rolls to see if the Magic can bait a switch and get a smaller player on the reigning Rookie of the Year.
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And like Tatum, Banchero is quite methodical. He will not allow the game to dictate him; he is in command when the ball is in his hands. No rush, no need to force anything.
He might pull up for a 3 if he can shoot over the soul unfortunate to have to switch onto him. But, unlike Tatum, he’s not as inclined to forget he can step inside the arc.
Both are quite capable of leveraging the threat of their outside shot to create alleys for themselves to get inside the 3-point line.
The NBA should be concerned that the Boston Celtics can beat good teams shorthanded https://t.co/zcRkxZfTD6 pic.twitter.com/uieB9aQsEg
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 17, 2023
If the switching defender lifts to the level to protect against an open 3, the two wings are comfortable stepping into the crevice between the screener and the switcher and pirouetting to the elbow with one big step.
Both are confident midrange shooters off the dribble, treating themselves to open jumpers using the space they’ve just created on the screens. But, perhaps the best gift they both have is the ability to burrow their ways to the rim for crafty scores inside.
Their advantages are their athleticism and their shoulders, cutting angles to the hoop like hot knives gliding through butter.
Celtics' Joe Mazzulla on whether Boston will continue using small ball lineups vs. larger teams https://t.co/1GDZB45Xsm pic.twitter.com/kbqaWQ2aVw
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 17, 2023
Banchero isn’t the only blue jersey with shades of a green jersey. Jalen Suggs has moments in which you can’t help but wonder if you’re seeing a young Derrick White.
They have roles in common, both serving as fourth or fifth options on any given possession. Suggs is an improving shooter who is getting better off the catch; White is an established shooter on meaningful volume liable to hit on pull-ups and off the catch.
They’re similar in both height and wingspan, which means they’re defensive weapons for their respective teams. They can switch across multiple positions and use their hands to make up for size disadvantages against bigger players.
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— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 17, 2023
The most striking similarities right now are the ways in which they function as gadget guys. They serve as screeners, hoping to confuse defenses with cuts or pops. And if they have to do a little secondary ball-handling off the catch, so be it.
The older Celtics have a few more pieces to separate themselves from one of the East’s rising teams, but the mirror doesn’t lie. Orlando is coming.
Magic guard Cole Anthony thinks the Boston Celtics cutting Mo Wagner was disrespectful https://t.co/Pvl6oMuXp4 pic.twitter.com/Bvh1uOoJZY
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 17, 2023
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