PHILADELPHIA — When the Philadelphia 76ers paid a visit to the Orlando Magic for two games in November, they were a short-handed bunch. They were missing Joel Embiid, James Harden and Tyrese Maxey. Therefore, some of the younger Magic players didn’t get a chance to compete against them.
In the two games at the Wells Fargo Center, they saw what those three, especially Embiid, are able to do on the floor.
In two games against the Magic, Embiid combined for 58 points and 22 rebounds. Orlando earned a split of the two games, but Magic rookie Paolo Banchero matched up with the big fella for the first time. Afterward, he offered respect to Embiid.
“Just his size off rip,” Banchero stated. “How big he is, how skilled he is. It’s really hard to guard him without fouling. He pretty much gets wherever he wants on the court. You gotta have kind of two or three guys right there around him at all times in order to really slow him down so a really impressive player.”
Banchero has a bright future in the league and the Magic are on the rise due to his play. His experience facing Embiid will only help him in the long run as it allows him to continue to grow as a player.
“That was my first time getting to see him in person,” Banchero finished. “So it was a good experience.”
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