Basketball

“Kevin Durant was my ‘Welcome to the NBA moment'”: 6’11” Paolo Banchero Speaks Out About the Finality of Facing the ‘Slim Reaper’

Nithin Joseph
|PublishedDec 22, 2022

"Kevin Durant was my 'Welcome to the NBA moment'": 6'11" Paolo Banchero Speaks Out About the Finality of Facing the 'Slim Reaper'

Nov 28, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) defends Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Paolo Banchero has been the top rookie this season. But, Kevin Durant gave him his ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment along with 45 points. Hello Rookie.

Kevin Durant is one of the top players in the NBA today. The Slim Reaper is an amazing scorer and the No.1 player on the Brooklyn Nets.

With averages of 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, KD is playing at an MVP level. The star forward has been merciless at times.

Just ask Paolo Banchero. The rookie got his “Welcome to the NBA” moment when Durant dropped 45 points on his head.

Also Read: Amidst $15 Million Negotiations, Kyle Kuzma Seemingly Takes Shots At Players Like Kevin Durant And James Harden

Paolo Banchero was unable to stop Kevin Durant in his “Welcome to the NBA” moment

The 2022 NBA Draft saw the Orlando Magic select Paolo Banchero as the No.1 overall pick, and so far he’s been great. He is currently averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game and has been the best rookie by far.

However, Banchero was recently brought down back to earth when the Magic faced the Brooklyn Nets. In particular, he received his “Welcome to the NBA” moment from Kevin Durant, who scored 45 points with Paolo guarding him.

“KD I think was kind of my little Welcome to the NBA moment. I guarded him for most of that game and it was really just nothing you could do. I mean like, you know, some guys get to the line a bunch, you know, play with the refs and get calls, and like that’s how they get 14 points from the line or whatever. But like KD was straight business. Wasn’t saying nothing to the refs. Was getting to the line. I think he had four or five free throws, but he had 45. But most of those (were) was buckets and I think he missed five shots that game. So experiencing that and having to guard him…he was the first player I’ve guarded in my life where there was nothing I could do.”

Safe to say that Paolo learned a valuable lesson that day. The Slim Reaper is not someone to be taken lightly.

KD, Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets have turned things around after a slow start

The beginning of the 2022-2023 season was horrendous for the Brooklyn Nets. Kyrie Irving was suspended, Ben Simmons wasn’t performing, and Kevin Durant was carrying the team on his shoulders. However, things are looking far better now as the team now has six wins on the trot.

With a 19-12 record in the East, it will be interesting to see just how far KD and the Nets go this season.

Also Read: Amidst 18 Months’ Probation For Emoni Bates, Kevin Durant Has Some Unorthodox Words Of Wisdom For The EMU Star

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.