Pro-am leagues this summer have been feeding the masses who have been hungry to see some of the most exciting players in the league play outside the confines of NBA arenas and without the watchful eyes of league officials.
The summer schedule gives NBA fans the fix they need to make it through the dog days until the NBA regular season ramps up in the fall. In addition to NBA elites like LeBron James, Trae Young and Jayson Tatum, the leagues also give some of the incoming rookies a chance to showcase their skills. This season has seen top picks Paolo Banchero and Chet Holmgren flex their game on the hardcourt, proving why they were selected at the top of this year’s draft.
One of the hot storylines this go-round has been the emerging rivalry between Banchero, the overall No.1 pick this year out of Duke, and the Hawks Dejounte Murray. Despite being six years his senior, Murray and Banchero are familiar with each other as both hail from the Seattle, WA area so it’s safe to say that the six-year NBA vet has had the recent addition to the Orlando Magic on his radar for some time.
After letting the fireworks fly in a CrawsOver game two weeks ago and going back and forth on social media, the tension seemed to be simmering. It was announced that both would lace-up on Saturday so we know fans couldn’t wait to see how the next battle would play out.
Fans in attendance didn’t have to wait long as, early in the first quarter and being guarded one-on-one by Murray, Banchero attacked the basket on the right side and took it to the baseline. Unfortunately, the rookie slipped on the floor and lost possession of the ball.
Sportsmanship not being lost between the two, Murray quickly helped his opponent up off the floor and embraced him. He added a quick slap on the backside for good measure showing that, regardless of past tension, he has a great deal of respect for the youngster and, evident by his previous Instagram post, just wants Paolo to succeed in the league.
Unfortunately, it seems someone had the A/C cranked WAY down in the gym and the matchup between the two was cut short as the game was cancelled due to condensation on the court at Seattle Pacific University.
While this encounter didn’t produce the viral fireworks that the previous one did, Hawks and Magic fans don’t have to wait long to see the two bring the intensity to the NBA regular season. The Hawks will host the Orlando Magic on October 21st as the opening week of the 2022-2023 NBA season gets underway.