What the 2022 NBA Draft Left: The Drone Show, A Viral Suit, and Surprise Pick No. 1

The NBA has already accustomed its fans each act is a show in itself. And this Thursday, the Draft 2022 did not disappoint an impressive display of luminous drones through the skies of New York in preview, and a viral (and controversial?) suit of the surprising protagonist of choice number 1, which corresponded to the Orlando Magic, at the start of the ceremony.

He was the attacker paolo banchero (Duke University) the one who took first place ahead of heavy favorites Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga) and Jabari Smith (Auburn), later recruited by the Oklahoma Thunder and the Houston Rockets.

The Magic, who had not enjoyed number one since they chose Dwight Howard in 2004, leaned towards the proven offensive talent of Banchero, born in Seattle (Washington) but who, due to his family origins, also has Italian nationality. Indeed, He has already declared that he wants to represent the Italian national team.

Banchero himself, a powerful and versatile 2.08m forward, appeared shocked when the NBA commissioner, Adam Silverhe pronounced his first and last name at the beginning of the ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which in the previous one saw an impressive light show of 500 drones, in the skies of one of the best cities in the world.

“I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe what just happened, I never thought it would happen.”recognized an enthusiastic Banchero, who chose a colorful purple dress for the occasion, which earned him a quick viral response, even before his election.

“During the day I got the feeling, from the information they gave me, that (the elections) were in the air”he explained shortly after. “Orlando wasn’t very sure yet and he had to be ready for anything,” she added.

“But I didn’t know I was going to be elected until about 20 seconds before the commissioner took the stage. I didn’t even have time to think about it, it just happened.”insured.

Up until a few minutes before the ceremony, the vast majority of experts agreed that Orlando would opt for Jabari Smithan explosive attacking 2.11m with a great outside shot, or from Chet Holmgrenan intimidating center of 2.13m with a good hand.

Banchero, who made the average 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds Y 3.2 assist in his only season at Duke, he should be the spearhead of the Magic revamp, which has just ended penultimate position of the Eastern Conference last season with 21 wins and 51 losses.

The Magic just qualified twice in the playoffs in the last decade and in 2021 they resigned themselves to selling their figures (Vucevic, Fournier, Gordon) and turned to a long and uncertain reconstruction process.

In the second selection, Chet Holmgren was recruited by the Oklahoma City Thunder, a permanently rebuilt franchise. At 20 he should be the great reference in the interior of his new team, which has two of the most promising point guards in the league on the perimeter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Australian Josh Giddy.

“It’s a great situation, a great dynamic, playing with guys like Josh and Shai.”said Holmgren, who wasn’t far behind with her looks and that most analysts have classified as a riskier bet than Banchero or Smith but also that it offers the maximum potential of this Draft.

There is not much precedent for a 6-foot 10 player with his shooting (1.3 three-pointers per game), ball handling and defensive intimidation (3.7 blocks).

The Thunder also delivered three first rounds of the 2023 Draft to ensure the arrival of the mighty French striker Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers), chosen by New York Knicks in eleventh place, digital media report Atletico.

In third place the Houston Rockets took control Jabari Smithconsidered the big favorite for number one with an average of 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2 assists.

“God doesn’t make mistakes, so I’m happy to be where they want me” Smith said predictions that placed him at the top of the draft.

“I am happy to come to Houston and give them what they have chosen”said the player, whose father played four seasons in the NBA.

To find a draft with the first three elections dominated by tall men you have to go back to 2001, when the number one was Kwame Brownprecisely cousin of Jabari Smith.

The Sacramento Kings, desperate to return to the playoffs after a 16-year absence, scrutinized other teams’ offers on their fourth pick to the last, but ultimately exercised it to pick the striker. Keegan Murray (Iowa).

In fifth place, the Detroit Pistons they chose the athletic base Jaden Ivey (Purdue), who will form a pair on the perimeter with Cade Cunningham, the number one of the 2021 Draft.

Ivey is also compared in physique and playing characteristics to Ja Morant.

In another of the transfers of the night, the Detroit Pistons they took control of the pin Jalen Duren (Memphis), chosen in thirteenth place by the Charlotte Hornetsin a three-way operation in which they received the veteran point guard kemba walkerof the Knicks, according to US media.

The first non-American players to be chosen were the Canadians Benedetto Maturinoselected sixth overall by the Indiana Pacers, e Shaedon Sharpeseventh from the Portland Trail Blazers.

The top 10 picks of the 2022 Draft.

1 – Paolo Banchero (Forward, Duke) – Orlando Magic
Age: 19 years old
Height and weight: 2.08 m – 113 kg
Last season’s stats: 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists

2 – Chet Holmgren (Center, Gonzaga) – Oklahoma City Thunder
Age: 19 years old
Height and weight: 2.13 m – 89 kg
Stats last season: 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks

3 – Jabari Smith (Forward, Auburn University) – Houston Rockets
Age: 19 years old
Height and weight: 2.11 m – 99.8 kg
Last season stats: 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2 assists

4 – Keegan Murray (Forward, Iowa) – Sacramento Kings
Age: 21 years old
Height and weight: 2.03 m – 102 kg
Stats last season: 23.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks

5 – Jaden Ivey (Guardian, Purdue) – Detroit Pistons
Age: 20 years old
Height and weight: 1.93 m – 88 kg
Statistics last season: 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists

6 – Benedict Mathurin (guard, Arizona) – Indiana Pacers
7 – Shaedon Sharpe (guard, Kentucky) – Portland Trail Blazers
8 – Dyson Daniels (forward, Ignite – G League) – New Orleans Pelicans
9 – Jeremy Sochan (forward, Baylor) – San Antonio Spurs
10 – Johnny Davis (guard, Wisconsin) – Washington Wizards

Ten last players chosen as number one in the Draft.

2022 – Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
2021 – Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
2020 – Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
2019 – Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
2018 – DeAndre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
2017 – Markelle Fultz (Philadelphia 76ers)
2016 – Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
2015 – Town of Karl-Anthony (Minnesota Timberwolves)
2014 – Andrew Wiggins (Cleveland Cavaliers)
2013 – Anthony Bennett (Cleveland Cavaliers)

With information from AFP.