Desmond Bane, the Orlando Magic’s next key building block, has been superb since coming over in a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. He is averaging 16.5 points a game. Because of that, he’s transformed into a keystone figure within the Magic’s rotation, making himself known as a dangerous scoring threat and playmaker. His three-point shooting has plummeted to 31.3%, but he continues to dazzle with moments of greatness. These aren’t the only signs pointing towards an exciting trendline for his game.
Bane had the most noticeable impact on a game on Monday night when the Grizzlies took on the Portland Trail Blazers. Then he dazzled the audience with an unbelievable buzzer-beater! This clutch performance not only gave the Magic an impressive win, but it sparked Bane’s confidence. After that game, he shot 40 percent on eight three-point attempts per game. His electric performance has done wonders for revitalizing the entire team’s offensive attack.
Bane again put on a sublime solo performance, this time against the Houston Rockets. He hit 29 and 26 points in back-to-back games, making his claim as a primary scorer even more pronounced. His versatility has been a major asset, as he’s assumed point guard duties, sometimes serving as the primary initiator of the Magic’s offensive sets. Over a recent four-game stretch of last month, Bane averaged seven assists, showing he has the ability to create chances for his teammates.
Bane’s leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed. You could feel his impact most during an early game against the Boston Celtics, where he made big plays in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Perhaps most critical was a clutch 28-foot three-pointer with just over four minutes left, a warning shot of his unflappability in the closing minutes that would follow. This performance was complemented by his physicality on defense, where he used his strength to stop Jaylen Brown, showcasing his all-around contributions.
Bane’s impact goes deeper than just the box score, his voice as a leader carries through the locker room. Teammate Jalen Suggs backed up Bane’s sentiments, saying they need to be more consistent all year long. This is gonna be us,” Suggs recalled Bane saying to strike at that competitive and dog mentality.
“This is what we’re doing now. It has to be us throughout the year. You can’t pick and choose days when to be dogs. You’re a dog every day or you’re not,” – Suggs
Banchero continued to gush over how Bane liberated this team’s dynamic, emphasizing how his presence opens space and opportunities on the offensive end. “When we put him in positions to make the defense make a decision… Defenders don’t want to leave him,” he noted. This recognition truly speaks to Bane’s talent as a playmaker and decoy who draws defensive attention. Consequently, it opens up space for other players such as Paolo Banchero and Wagner to operate.
As the season rolls on, optimism is definitely in the air among both players and coaches with regard to Bane’s development. Banchero remarked on the early stages of the season, saying, “It’s only going to get better. It’s still early. It’s going to only be up from here.” Wagner agreed, adding that Bane’s contributions would take some of the offensive pressure off their two key players.
“Des is going to help a lot with just being a harder team to guard and also making some more situations a little easier for Paolo and for myself,” – Wagner
Despite the team’s struggle with offensive consistency earlier in the season, there is a renewed sense of hope with Bane’s integration into the squad. The Magic have struggled to get into their offensive groove. Bane’s purpose and talent make for a hopeful answer.
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