For more than 10 years now, the Orlando Magic franchise has been one of uninspired, languid basketball defined by lack of ambition. Since trading Dwight Howard before the 2012-13 season, the Magic have only made the playoffs twice, suffering two first-round exits at the hands of the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors and the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks. However, the Magic are playing better as of late, thanks to Paolo Banchero, but some pundits remain stuck in the past.

After the Magic defeated the then-Eastern Conference leaders Boston Celtics, 117-109, on Friday night, former Celtics guard Eddie House went on a salt-filled rant on NBC Sports Boston's postgame show. House proceeded to call the Magic “garbage” and that they're “still not a good basketball team” despite winning five in a row to that point.

And this wasn't lost on Paolo Banchero or any other Magic player, as they proved that their victory two nights ago was no mere fluke. They beat the Celtics yet again, 95-92, despite being on the road for both of those games. Of course, Banchero was proud of how his team was able to use Eddie House's words as motivation to win their sixth straight game.

“I'd be lying if I said we didn't see that. It definitely lit a fire under some of the guys, and just the team in general. It's clear that a lot of people still don't respect us so we're just gonna have to go out game by game, lock in, and eventually, it'll be earned,” Banchero said, per Khobi Price.

Paolo Banchero even showed the poise of a 10-year veteran. He acknowledged that this was just the criticism they needed to hear to avoid being complacent in their Sunday night rematch.

Article Continues Below
Related Orlando Magic News
Kristaps Porzingis photoshopped in Magic jersey. Include his jersey number.
Magic offseason trade proposal for Kristaps Porzingis as Celtics get finances in checkBailey Bassett ·
Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) shoots the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide center Clifford Omoruyi (11) during the second half in the East Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.
Ranking 5 best Kon Knueppel destinations in 2025 NBA DraftJulian Ojeda ·
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) dunks the ball as Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie (9) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena.
Magic’s Paolo Banchero gets NSFW endorsement from Kentavious Caldwell-PopeJulian Ojeda ·
Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) gestures after making a three point shot in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope compares Magic’s championship desire to ThunderJulian Ojeda ·
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) controls the ball while Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) defends during the first half at TD Garden.
Paolo Banchero shouts out 2 special teammates who helped NBA transitionJulian Ojeda ·
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) looks to drive to the basket in the first quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden
Paolo Banchero drops Knicks example for Magic to take next step to contendHayden Cilley ·

“We used it as fuel to the fire. Just instant motivation, you know. It was just the thing we needed to see. Coming off beating them and playing them again, sometimes you might be satisfied with that first win or be happy that you won one game out of two, but seeing that clip gave us that extra boost to come out here in this second game and do the same thing,” Banchero added.

Meanwhile, Magic players took to Twitter to clown House for his comments.

Banchero had 31 points to lead all scorers on the night. At 11-17, the Magic may not be a playoff-caliber team just yet, but they don't appear to be too far behind either. They are only 2.5 games out of the final play-in seed, which should give them even more motivation to continue this hot streak as they face the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow on the second night of a back-to-back.