Banchero Rejects Magic-Celtics Comparisons Before Playoff Clash

Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero has dismissed comparisons between his team and the defending champion Boston Celtics ahead of their first-round playoff series that begins Sunday at TD Garden. While several teammates and even head coach Jamahl Mosley have highlighted structural similarities between the franchises, Banchero’s blunt rejection of these parallels underscores the significant gaps that remain between the young contender and the established powerhouse.

“No, not really,” Banchero responded when asked about the comparisons, according to the Orlando Sentinel. “I’d be interested to know why they say that. We are a different team than them. We have a lot different play style than them on both sides of the ball. I’m not sure why anyone would say that.”

This candid assessment from the Magic’s franchise cornerstone reveals both his competitive mindset and the clear-eyed perspective needed as Orlando faces the formidable challenge of upsetting the Eastern Conference’s second seed in a best-of-seven series.

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Inside the Organizational Blueprint Debate

The debate over similarities between these organizations stems from their roster construction principles. Both teams have built around versatile forwards who anchor their offenses, with Banchero and Franz Wagner serving as Orlando’s cornerstones much like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown do for Boston.

“The size of our wings, the versatility of each one of our guys being able to play multiple positions both offensively and defensively… the physicality that they bring to the table… those are a lot of the similarities that we both possess,” Mosley explained, highlighting the architectural parallels between the teams.

Several Magic players echoed this sentiment. Veteran guard Gary Harris noted, “They’ve got a lot of guys on the team, but they have two main guys and we’ve got two big dogs on our team as well.” Second-year guard Anthony Black added, “Four of, probably, the best players in the league… Our team is built similar in ways.”

Banchero’s pushback suggests he recognizes that surface-level structural similarities don’t necessarily translate to comparable performance or playing styles. His perspective aligns with the statistical realities that separate these teams, particularly on the offensive end where Boston’s dominance contrasts sharply with Orlando’s struggles.

Statistical Divide Supports Banchero’s View

The numbers strongly support Banchero’s assessment. Boston attempted (48.2) and made (17.8) the most three-pointers in the league, while Orlando attempted just 35.3 triples per game (23rd) and made a league-worst 11.2. The Celtics posted the NBA’s second-best offensive rating at 119.5, towering over Orlando’s fourth-worst mark of 108.9.

Boston’s offensive philosophy emphasizes perimeter shooting and efficient ball movement, as evidenced by their fourth-best assist-to-turnover ratio. The Magic, meanwhile, posted the fifth-worst assist-to-turnover ratio, reflecting their more methodical, interior-focused approach.

USA Today succinctly summarized Boston’s identity: “Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are the stars, but every single player in the rotation is capable — and is given the green light — to shoot 3s. No team had a higher percentage of its points (45.8%) come from 3-point shots.”

This contrasts dramatically with Orlando’s offense, which USA Today describes as “a defense-first squad that rarely seeks to break out in transition.” This fundamental philosophical difference underlies Banchero’s rejection of the comparison between the teams.

Injury-Depleted Magic Face Uphill Battle

Compounding Orlando’s challenge is a depleted roster entering the postseason. While Banchero (25.9 points) and Wagner (24.2) form a formidable scoring duo comparable to Tatum (26.8) and Brown (22.2), the Magic’s supporting cast has been decimated by injuries.

Guards Jalen Suggs (16.2 points) and Moe Wagner (12.9) are both sidelined with season-ending injuries, leaving Orlando with just two double-digit scorers beyond their star forwards. This depth disadvantage stands in stark contrast to Boston’s balanced attack, which features six players in the rotation shooting above 35% from distance.

“If the Celtics stay healthy and play their game — spacing the floor, moving the ball selflessly and defending — it’s difficult to see Orlando outscoring them,” USA Today notes, highlighting the fundamental offensive disparity between the teams.

Experience Gap Extends Beyond Statistics

Perhaps the most significant difference between these franchises lies in their recent history. While the Celtics aim to become the first team since 2018 to repeat as NBA champions, the Magic haven’t won a playoff series in 15 years—a drought that spans multiple organizational regimes.

“It’s great for this organization and this community to have an opportunity at that,” Mosley said regarding the potential to end this prolonged drought. The magnitude of this dry spell surprised even veterans like Harris, who remarked, “Fifteen years is crazy. I didn’t even realize that.”

Last season, Boston never needed more than five games to win any playoff series during their championship run, demonstrating an efficiency that underscores the experience gap between these franchises. For Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman, this series provides a measuring stick for exactly how far his rebuilding project remains from championship contention.

Source: https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-playoffs-standings-and-bracket-updates

Regular Season Success Offers Hope

Despite these significant disadvantages, Orlando enters the series with one psychological advantage: they won the regular season series 2-1 against Boston. This unexpected success suggests that, under the right circumstances, the Magic can compete with the defending champions.

For this to translate to playoff success, Orlando will need to leverage their defensive prowess (second-best rating at 109.1) to disrupt Boston’s offensive rhythm while hoping for exceptional performances from Banchero and Wagner. The Magic’s ability to control tempo could also prove crucial, as they played at the league’s slowest pace during the regular season.

As Sunday’s 3:30 p.m. tipoff at TD Garden approaches, Banchero’s realistic assessment of the differences between these teams reflects the maturity required for Orlando to embrace their underdog status while still competing with the belief that they can pull off an upset for the ages.

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