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2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET

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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#621 » by OrlandoDream » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:28 am

This team is just on another level with a PG like the way Cole played. Drive and dishing, penetrating paint, pick and roll with Paolo and Dell. Anthony Black is a great WING not PG. His best minutes was when cole was at PG. AB can be our Suggs if used correctly.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#622 » by Knightro » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:32 am

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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#623 » by TheChaser » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:33 am

I know I don’t come around like I used to back in the earlier 2000s but I am so proud of these guys for responding to adversity this year. It’s been a long time since we have won anything in the playoffs, even if this was just the play in, we are the first team in. Thank God. I believe just this will put more of a taste for winning in their mouths and shows them what they can do if they continue to play hard. Hopefully we give Boston some trouble at least; and I believe that would springboard us into an important offseason. Love you dudes!
maginno wrote:There is nothing wrong with this team that putting a few unloaded guns in Carter's gym bag will not solve.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#624 » by fendilim » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:33 am

OrlandoDream wrote:This team is just on another level with a PG like the way Cole played. Drive and dishing, penetrating paint, pick and roll with Paolo and Dell. Anthony Black is a great WING not PG. His best minutes was when cole was at PG. AB can be our Suggs if used correctly.

Well, lets face it. Everything opened up because Cole and AB’s shots went in tonight.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#625 » by Bozack » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:34 am

Cole was cooking with gas tonight and Carter was killing too.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#626 » by OrlandoDream » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:39 am

fendilim wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:This team is just on another level with a PG like the way Cole played. Drive and dishing, penetrating paint, pick and roll with Paolo and Dell. Anthony Black is a great WING not PG. His best minutes was when cole was at PG. AB can be our Suggs if used correctly.

Well, lets face it. Everything opened up because Cole and AB’s shots went in tonight.

I think it opened up because Cole was creating halfcourt offense. Those drive and dishes then AB hitting opens 3s? That changes everything. We miss that so desperately from Suggs as that 3rd guard scorer/playmaker.

I don't expect Cole to be that hot vs Boston since they are a top defensive team. But when Cole pushes the pace, sets up offense early in clock and moves the ball......the offense is unrecognizable.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#627 » by thelead » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:42 am

Bozack wrote:Cole was cooking with gas tonight and Carter was killing too.

Induction ranges are where it's at :lol:
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#628 » by Bensational » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:42 am

OrlandoDream wrote:This team is just on another level with a PG like the way Cole played. Drive and dishing, penetrating paint, pick and roll with Paolo and Dell. Anthony Black is a great WING not PG. His best minutes was when cole was at PG. AB can be our Suggs if used correctly.


AB had a great first half when it was just him and Paolo running the offense. I wouldn’t call him a PG, more a secondary playmaker like Draymond, except he often defends PG.

Any decent playmaking and passing is enough to give us the edge. Paolo was crushing it in the first half on that front. Hopefully we can add a good PG to go alongside him.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#629 » by Knightro » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:42 am

The Magic would be a 50+ win team pretty easily if they got good Cole 80% of the time instead of 20% of the time.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#630 » by KillMonger » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:45 am

Carter stopped being timid

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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#631 » by thelead » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:47 am

KillMonger wrote:Carter stopped being timid

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WCJ struggles with size. They had no size.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#632 » by OrlandoDream » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:49 am

Bensational wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:This team is just on another level with a PG like the way Cole played. Drive and dishing, penetrating paint, pick and roll with Paolo and Dell. Anthony Black is a great WING not PG. His best minutes was when cole was at PG. AB can be our Suggs if used correctly.


AB had a great first half when it was just him and Paolo running the offense. I wouldn’t call him a PG, more a secondary playmaker like Draymond, except he often defends PG.

Any decent playmaking and passing is enough to give us the edge. Paolo was crushing it in the first half on that front. Hopefully we can add a good PG to go alongside him.

I just feel I've seen enough sample size to see that AB plays much better when he doesn't have primary playmaking duties. When he can be more that 3D spot up player, driver and guard opposing team best player, it makes Paolo and Franz life easier. Just opens up the floor for the whole team. He is essentially playing the mini Suggs role.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#633 » by Optimus_Steel » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:52 am

Knightro wrote:The Magic would be a 50+ win team pretty easily if they got good Cole 80% of the time instead of 20% of the time.



Once this team upgrades the guard situation this is perennial contender. Got to get guard penetration, shooting, scoring, play making. It’s unfortunate that Cole is too unreliable and mostly not a real PG.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#634 » by KillMonger » Wed Apr 16, 2025 2:54 am

thelead wrote:
KillMonger wrote:Carter stopped being timid

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WCJ struggles with size. They had no size.
It's not just that it's his body language, he played with energy tonight wasn't hanging his head

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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#635 » by tooler » Wed Apr 16, 2025 3:00 am

The Magic finally get their matchup with Boston that they narrowly missed last season. Too bad Suggs isn't around for it.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#636 » by basketballRob » Wed Apr 16, 2025 3:04 am

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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#637 » by Idiosyncratic » Wed Apr 16, 2025 3:07 am

OrlandoDream wrote:
Bensational wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:This team is just on another level with a PG like the way Cole played. Drive and dishing, penetrating paint, pick and roll with Paolo and Dell. Anthony Black is a great WING not PG. His best minutes was when cole was at PG. AB can be our Suggs if used correctly.


AB had a great first half when it was just him and Paolo running the offense. I wouldn’t call him a PG, more a secondary playmaker like Draymond, except he often defends PG.

Any decent playmaking and passing is enough to give us the edge. Paolo was crushing it in the first half on that front. Hopefully we can add a good PG to go alongside him.

I just feel I've seen enough sample size to see that AB plays much better when he doesn't have primary playmaking duties. When he can be more that 3D spot up player, driver and guard opposing team best player, it makes Paolo and Franz life easier. Just opens up the floor for the whole team. He is essentially playing the mini Suggs role.


Yeah I agree, he is best off ball, but can still occasionally bring it up the court and playmake off of his drives. He struggles running PnR and struggles against quality ball pressure, but I'm not sure he still can't add those skills eventually.

Right now though? Agree his best spot is letting him shoot corner 3s, make timely cuts and pick and choose his spots to attack the basket. All while being a monster on defense. If he played that role all year he probably has much better shooting stats, but I am glad they gave him a chance to develop PG skills. If AB and Suggs ever get redundant and it doesn't make sense to pay both then that will be a decision to make, but also a good problem to have.

Cole is not ever going to be what this team needs IMO, great game today, but they really do just need another viable guard that can make some 3s and play smart like CoJo does.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#638 » by OrlandoDream » Wed Apr 16, 2025 3:12 am

Idiosyncratic wrote:
OrlandoDream wrote:
Bensational wrote:
AB had a great first half when it was just him and Paolo running the offense. I wouldn’t call him a PG, more a secondary playmaker like Draymond, except he often defends PG.

Any decent playmaking and passing is enough to give us the edge. Paolo was crushing it in the first half on that front. Hopefully we can add a good PG to go alongside him.

I just feel I've seen enough sample size to see that AB plays much better when he doesn't have primary playmaking duties. When he can be more that 3D spot up player, driver and guard opposing team best player, it makes Paolo and Franz life easier. Just opens up the floor for the whole team. He is essentially playing the mini Suggs role.


Yeah I agree, he is best off ball, but can still occasionally bring it up the court and playmake off of his drives. He struggles running PnR and struggles against quality ball pressure, but I'm not sure he still can't add those skills eventually.

Right now though? Agree his best spot is letting him shoot corner 3s, make timely cuts and pick and choose his spots to attack the basket. All while being a monster on defense. If he played that role all year he probably has much better shooting stats, but I am glad they gave him a chance to develop PG skills. If AB and Suggs ever get redundant and it doesn't make sense to pay both then that will be a decision to make, but also a good problem to have.

Cole is not ever going to be what this team needs IMO, great game today, but they really do just need another viable guard that can make some 3s and play smart like CoJo does.

This skills will improve in time with more experience. Suggs didn't take major leap until year 3. AB right now is a solid 3D and defensive player. When he makes those open 3s, its a gamechanger.

Its clear the Fo believes in him and envisions him continue to improve. I think they have two directions they will explore depending on ABs development. If next year he takes that Suggs level leap, then I think we will trade Suggs to pair Paolo/Franz with a dynamic all star level PG with AB at that two guard spot. Its very possible.
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#639 » by Blue_and_Whte » Wed Apr 16, 2025 3:14 am

RookieStar wrote:
Knightro wrote:
SHAQ32 wrote:What are we looking at here?


Look again. You'll figure it out :lol:


I saw that live and was hoping for a face shot. Lol

Sometimes the face ruins it. I was good with what we hadZx
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Re: 2024-2025 NBA Play In Tournament: (8) Atlanta Hawks at (7) Orlando Magic - 7:30pm ET 

Post#640 » by RookieStar » Wed Apr 16, 2025 3:16 am

Blue_and_Whte wrote:
RookieStar wrote:
Knightro wrote:
Look again. You'll figure it out :lol:


I saw that live and was hoping for a face shot. Lol

Sometimes the face ruins it. I was good with what we hadZx


Let us be the judge of that...

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