pepe1991 wrote:Bensational wrote:The-Stallion70 wrote:Suggs wasn't just a bad shooter but he was also very turnover prone, extremely questionable decision maker and would often throw errant passes to teammates that would take them out of position in order to catch it. Suggs would throw these bullet passes three feet above someone's head when they were standing behind the three point line in the corner. They would have to jump so high in order to catch it to avoid turnovers and then they would have to try to save it and it woukd kill the shot clock abd discombobulate the offense. He would also often take contested, unnecessary shots too early in the shot clock. Both Cole and Fultz were better than Suggs last year, Suggs was so horrible on offense even if he was great on defense.
Cole and Suggs have very similar stats per36, and Cole is a 2nd year player who’s numbers we’re almost identical to his rookie numbers. Cole is marginally better as a shooter, but considering that’s his strength (other than fighting his own teammates for rebounds to pad his stats), it doesn’t paint a stronger picture for him.
Cole could be due for a 3rd year breakout, to be fair to him. But considering he’s had back to back years with the same numbers and poor efficiency, I’m doubtful of big gains. Suggs doesn’t have to do much to close the gap on Cole offensively, and defensively Cole will never close that gap.
Cole rookie season
39,7% FG
33,7% for 3
44,9% eFG
49,6% TS
Suggs
36% FG
21,4% for 3
40% eFG
45,5% TS
so 5% in eFG and 4,6% TS is the difference ( along with 3 point massive 12,3%). DIfference between is same as difference between rookie Cole Anthony and Malcolm Brogdon winning ROY ( or , efficiency vise- Dame Lillard ROY season , just with 19 ppg instad of 11-13 ppg ).
So shooting efficiency gap is rather massive one, not marginal.
Suggs was 2 three point shots away from breaking record of lowest 3 point shooter on 200 attemps in nba history, and only 1 nba player in modern history shot 3 ball worst in single season on 100 attemps than he did. Lance Stephenson.
Where Cole didn't set world on fire, having 52% TS for sophmore playing on team that has top 3 worst offense in nba, isn't really all that bad.
There is very strong bias on this forum in favor of Suggs due his draft status.
There is also very strong bias against Cole Anthony mostly because fans here tend to have wet dreams about Fultz because 6 years ago somebody told them he will be elite PG so they can't let it go.
This is all fine, but reality is bit different than narrative. Cole is chucker and lacks self awarness. HOWEVER, Fultz is still top 5 worst starting PG in nba, Suggs had historically awful rookie year. Magic still best path toward brighter future leads through trade for established elite ballhandler, instad of having army of awful ones.
As for "development", Suggs, Hampton, Cole are basically all the same age. Hampton showed zero improvments in 2 years, Cole marginal improvments. I don't expect Suggs to return and start shooting great. History says that basketball players don't enter Cap America steroid chamber in offseason and become new players next year. Especially if those players were objectivlly worst rotation players in some segments.
Nowdays, Magic PG rotation gives outlook for fans where they argue who is better: s**y version of Bledsoe, Reggie Jackson clone or shorter Jordan Crawford.
Overall if Cole is not the engine of your offense there is little reason to start him.
