The Orlando Magic shocked the world by taking Paolo Banchero with the first-overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft.
Most people expected them to go with Jabari Smith Jr. or Chet Holmgren, with Banchero falling to the third spot.
The Duke product may have taken all those doubts personally, as he balled out right out of the gate and proved why he was the No. 1 ranked prospect in his class at some point.
He looked NBA-ready from day one, putting up huge numbers and setting and breaking marks throughout the course of his rookie campaign.
Banchero averaged 20.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 three-pointers per game on 42% from the floor.
Nonetheless, it seems like none of that was enough to convince Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune that he was deserving of the Rookie of the Year award.
Larsen was the only media member who didn’t vote for Banchero, giving the nod to Utah Jazz’s Walker Kessler instead.
Someone just ruined Paolo Banchero’s chances of being unanimous rookie of the year 😅
(Via @CroesFire ) pic.twitter.com/KOpZdOlcft
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 14, 2023
Needless to say, that prompted plenty of criticism on social media, with fans calling him out left and right.
Can you revoke someone’s voting privileges?
Asking for a friend
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) April 14, 2023
He basically just guaranteed he will never get another vote again
— choc (@choc) April 14, 2023
Salt Lake Tribune too… he covers the Utah Jazz 🤮
— Solo (@YT_Solo) April 14, 2023
Walker Kessler wouldn’t have voted for himself.
— Chris Palmer (@ChrisPalmerNBA) April 14, 2023
Andy need to be stripped of his vote. He shouldnt br able to ever vote again
— Jovan (@BigMeekHTX) April 14, 2023
Kessler was also an impressive rookie, and he flashed Defensive Player of the Year potential, but one has to be quite objective, regardless of the team you cover or root for.
Banchero should’ve won the award unanimously, even if you don’t like his game.
He was the most efficient, most poised, and most impressive rookie in the year by a landslide.
So hey, you better believe he’s going to keep those games against the Utah Jazz marked on his calendar next season.
NEXT:
Paolo Banchero Is Ending The Season On A High Note
