Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks star set to renew rivalry with nemesis ahead of schedule

By Joshua Buckhalter

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic walks to the bench after a timeout in the team's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic walks to the bench after a timeout in the team's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2022 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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One of the biggest storylines after the busy period of the offseason has been the newly formed feud between Atlanta Hawks star Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero, the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic. The two bumped heads during an appearance at the Isaiah Thomas Weekend in Seattle.

Footage from the game shows an intense Murray getting the better of the rook with some nifty ball work before scoring.

He then threw the ball at Banchero while yelling at him.

It was all laid out on social media postgame. This added an additional layer of intrigue to the highly-anticipated schedule release. The Hawks and Magic meet for the first time next season in the second game of the season in Atlanta but the players will meet again much sooner.

Dejounte Murray and Paolo Banchero set to renew rivalry at The CrawsOver

Initially, Banchero seemed unaware of what would have driven his fellow Seattle native to go off on him in such a way. But Murray’s side details Banchero becoming full of himself after being drafted first overall. Banchero used to rebound for Murray before making it to the NBA and becoming a surprise No. 1-overall pick.

The entire exchange even drew the attention of Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George who took no issue with the competitive fire Murray displayed.

Well, we all might see more fireworks on August 20 when the two take the court, perhaps, together once again.

Former Hawks guard Jamal Crawford, the event’s namesake, announced that both Banchero and Murray are expected to make appearances on Saturday. Crawford also announced that LeBron James would be playing so this should be a show.

Second-overall pick Chet Holmgren is also supposed to be in the building as well as Thomas who is also from nearby Tacoma.

This has been quite the offseason for the Hawks as they look to get back into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Trae Young and Clint Capela recently took part in star-studded offseason workouts and Murray has personally been on a bit of an anti-hero kick with his antics in these settings.

He and Young figure to be one of, if not the most hated backcourts in the NBA.

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The season, and thus the payoff, are still a ways away. But they are locked in and ready to go which can only bode well for the season. As for Saturday, get your popcorn ready.