Paolo Banchero Gives Shocking One-Word Description for Mavs Star Luka Doncic

There has always been mutual respect between Orlando Magic star Paolo Banchero and Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. Banchero has always admired Doncic's game from a distance, but since they're both Jordan Brand athletes, he sometimes gets to spend time with Doncic, like last weekend during Jordan's event in China.

Earlier this week, Banchero sat down with Overtime to discuss a number of topics, and he was asked to describe Doncic in one word.

"Gangster," Banchero said.

Given how calm, cool, and collected Doncic is in big-time pressure situations, it's easy to understand why his peers might view him as being gangster-like.

The best recent example of Doncic's "gangster" demeanor came in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals when the Dallas Mavericks took on the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Dallas looking for a 2-0 series lead on the road and down by two in the final seconds, Doncic switched onto four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and nailed a step-back 3 in his grill to give the Mavs a one-point win.

After hitting the game-winner, Doncic turned into a madman, showing unmatched passion and shouting obscenities at his heated rival. The Mavs went on to win the series in five games and advance to the NBA Finals.

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Although Banchero hasn't won a playoff series yet, he showed he could also possess some of Doncic's playoff magic during Orlando's seven-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs last season. He averaged 27.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting 45.6 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from deep.

Those numbers aren't too shabby for a player who was just in his second NBA season. Banchero still has a long way to go if he wants to reach the same "gangster" level Doncic is currently at, but he's on the right path, and he's chosen a great young player to look up to.