One of the intriguing aspects of FIBA play is witnessing familiar basketball players assume unfamiliar roles. A prime example of this lies within Team USA, where Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero has been thriving in his time at the center spot, despite limited experience in that position during his NBA career thus far.
According to Basketball Reference’s position estimate tool, Banchero only played three percent of his Rookie of the Year season at center. This highlights the significance of his corresponding power forward in those lineups, underscoring the credit due to Coach Steve Kerr for embracing this unconventional strategy.
Fortunately, Cam Johnson, who played 88 percent of his minutes at power forward last season, and Josh Hart, whose power forward minutes increased to 15 percent after joining the Knicks, have been instrumental in bridging the gaps created by Banchero’s presence at center.
Hart’s positional anomaly, excelling with a high total rebound percentage, enables him to compensate for the challenges that arise when Banchero plays at the center position. An example of this was evident when Hart seized an opportunity for second-chance points following a missed Banchero three-pointer.
The effectiveness of these lineups hinges on both favorable matchups and Banchero’s utilization on both ends of the court.
Starting with his defensive capabilities, Banchero impressively held his own against most “true” centers. At 250 pounds, his weight is well-distributed, contrary to the assumption that it is primarily upper-body strength. His robust core also adds to his defensive prowess.
Thus, it appears that these lineups thrive when employing a more traditional approach, rather than frequent switching often associated with “small-ball” lineups. It is essential to note that the data used for analysis is manually tracked, with minor variations due to lineups featuring two big men or garbage time. This meticulous approach is especially relevant for evaluating the game against Jordan, where the result was already solidified before the end of the third quarter.
Throughout the three games, there was a noticeable decline in Banchero’s impact as Team USA relied on him less offensively. However, it is essential to consider that Banchero’s experience at center is still limited since joining the NBA. Any decline is not inherently negative, as the center position requires time and development. The fact that Kerr was willing to experiment should embolden Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley to explore it further.
Reflecting on the offensive aspect, we witness Banchero’s attempts to utilize his dynamic playmaking skills against true centers when matched up on the perimeter. Additionally, he exhibits a strong understanding of how big men should operate off the ball in half-court sets. Constantly on the move and setting screens, Banchero excels at diving to the rim, catching passes, and initiating his jump before the center can react—an advantage enabled by his unique combination of size and athleticism typically associated with power forwards.
As the World Cup concludes and Banchero, accompanied by Germany star Franz Wagner, returns to Orlando, only time will reveal whether this will become a recurring aspect of Banchero’s game. Nevertheless, an avid basketball enthusiast appreciates teams that embrace lineup quirks, challenging the norm. By experimenting with such strategies, Banchero could potentially spearhead an era where these hyper-athletic forwards dominate the court both inside and outside. If not, it will undoubtedly enhance his basketball IQ, inter-positional relationships, and overall understanding of his role on the floor.
The post “Paolo Banchero’s Impact at the Center Position for Team USA: A Versatile Approach” first appeared on the European News Global.
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