[Robbins] Banchero has heard the chatter that the Magic play more smoothly and effectively when he and Wagner play separately instead of together. When The Athletic asked him about that perception, Banchero provided a straightforward, unvarnished response. “I think that’s bull—,” Banchero answered.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6913110/2025/12/23/paolo-banchero-orlando-magic-season/
Banchero has heard the chatter that the Magic play more smoothly and more effectively when he and Wagner play separately instead of together. When The Athletic asked him about that perception, Banchero provided a straightforward, unvarnished response.
“I think that’s bull—,” Banchero answered. “I’m not going to lie. People are going to say whatever they want to say about me, Franz and whoever. But we know that we’re at our strongest when both of us are out there on the floor.
“People say that the ball moves more (when only one of us is out there). I don’t think that’s true, honestly. I think sometimes you beat teams or you play certain games and it may look that way, but if you really watch and analyze, we play the same way every game. Nothing changes when somebody is out. We play the same way, especially on offense. Nothing really changes. I don’t buy too much into that (perception), but it is frustrating to see that and hear that just because, like I said, we’re at our best when both of us are out there.”