I am manifesting this has-to-be-at-least-a-normal-rivalry into a big-picture-mega-rivalry.
Everyone is caught up in the Victor Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren hype, and not undeservedly so.
But can we be certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Holmgren mandates Wemby-adjacent consideration when he hasn't technically proved to be the best player in his draft class?
Say what you will, but Paolo Banchero wants a word. Many of them, in fact.
Various metrics will paint Holmgren, drafted second overall in 2022, as the superior player. And he is, no doubt, far more efficient. But Banchero, the No. 1 pick in 2022, is shouldering a more complicated workload.
Noticeably more than half his made buckets are going unassisted. Holmgren, on the other hand, gets teed up for nearly 75 percent of his baskets. And while Banchero won't be contending for any Defensive Player of the Year awards, he is sturdy and consistent enough at the less-glamorous end that you can envision a scenario in which he becomes one of the Association's premier two-way players.
This isn't anti-Holmgren propaganda. It's more like a "Hey! Paolo's here and really good and could be better than Chet, too!" public service announcement.
We were treated to our first-ever matchup featuring these two on Jan. 13. It was a blast...for Holmgren.
We'll hopefully get many more in the future—two per regular season, with the possibility of Finals collisions looming relative to the long-term trajectories both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic are traveling.
