When Steve Kerr benched Jayson Tatum in the Paris Olympics, he knew what was coming. The Team USA drama has continued since then with comments from Bob Cousy, Tatum’s mom and father, among others. However, it seems Kerr chose the team. It was a bold decision of him to bench a player of Jayson Tatum’s caliber. The one who entered the league after completing one season with the Duke Blue Devils. Even his successive university fellow and no. 1 pick from the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero, stands on Tatum’s side amid all the drama and controversy.

Orlando Magic forward Banchero appeared on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ to discuss the Duke All-Time starting five, “I don’t like to put myself in it, you know, because so many legends in it, but I would have to say Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, uh Zion Williamson, JJ Redick, and at the center, I think I’ll go for Jahlil Okafor.” It was quite surprising Orlando‘s first-round pick did not put himself on the list. His freshman year alone at Duke was a masterclass, averaging 17.2 points on .478 shooting, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. However, he justified that part.

Yet fellow analyst Stephen A. Smith argued Banchero’s list members as he bulged in to say, “I’m going to forgive you, it’s your youth.” Smith called Paolo Banchero’s Duke’s All-Time list biased as he added, “I’m definitely going to put Jay Williams up there. I’m going to take Kyrie Irving out.” However, Stephen has his reasons for Irving, as he only played a year with the Duke Blue Devils and did not spend much “time” there.

But Smith seemed pissed about players that Banchero did not include, as he said, “You can’t have a Duke list without Christian Laettner on it. You can’t have an All-Time Duke list without Grant Hill on it. You don’t beat UNLV your first championship[NCAA] without Grant Hill!” However, Banchero later admitted that he prepared his All-Time list based on what he “saw.” That’s why he put Jayson Tatum above legends like Grant Hill. Notably, Hill belongs to the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame and is one of the best collegiate basketball players till now.

Despite Paolo Banchero putting his college senior Jayson Tatum above Grant Hill, the 21-year-old does not measure his team any less than Tatum’s Celtics next season.

Paolo Banchero puts Orlando Magic next to defending champions Boston Celtics!

The Magic had an excellent NBA campaign last season, surpassing 45 wins in a season. It was a feat that happened for the first time after 2011. No doubt, they are on their way to being among the best in the Eastern Conference. However, Paolo Banchero has a different take on that. Appearing on ESPN’s ‘First Take’ Paolo said, “Everybody thought we’re gonna be a play-in team and drop out of the top of the East, but we finished strong and got the fifth seed and had a chance to really get the two seed at the end of the season.”

Banchero affirmed that his team’s fifth-place finish was not a coincidence. Rather, they have the potential to stand among champions Celtics and qualified contenders like the 76ers and the Knicks. This year the Magic have acquired 2x NBA Champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Also, they have retained their key players from last season, Jonathan Isaac and Franz Wagner. With such a strong foundation, Paolo Banchero has hopes for a brighter place in the East.

“I think we should easily be a top 4, top 3 team and have a chance to win the East, ” the 21-year-old audaciously told Stephen A. Smith. It is worth noting Banchero was not bluffing there as his claim carried merit. Coming off the last season averaging 22.6 points, Paolo Banchero is on a roll. Can they give the defending champions and Jayson Tatum a run for their money in the East next season?