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Zach Lowe last week gave him an honorable mention. I’d say that’s fair. Not a top 3 contender though. Maybe next season if he’s settled into this role out of the gate.

I'm becoming a fan. I like his character and personality, and his shooting is coming around. He has me thinking 50/40/90 is possible, which with his athleticism is really enticing.

Edit: Two comps that come up for me are Derrick White circa 2020 and Malcolm Brogdon this year. White makes ~16M and Brogdon makes ~$22M. Cole is playing his way into a very nice contract, and his style of play is validated by two players providing significant contributions to a contender.

eyriq wrote:I'm becoming a fan. I like his character and personality, and his shooting is coming around. He has me thinking 50/40/90 is possible, which with his athleticism is really enticing.

Edit: Two comps that come up for me are Derrick White circa 2020 and Malcolm Brogdon this year. White makes ~16M and Brogdon makes ~$22M. Cole is playing his way into a very nice contract, and his style of play is validated by two players providing significant contributions to a contender.

I like his rebounding too (our frontcourt is a bit lacking) and his flair for the big play that can break the other team's will...the big dunk or cold-blooded 3. Don't get me wrong, he's not ready to take over yet and I'm not blind to his weaknesses...but his growth has been significant. In these last relatively meaningless games, I'd like to see more of him and/or Suggs running point (at this point, I have more faith in Cole as lead ballhandler...my thoughts on the years ahead with Fultz are well-documented).

Not really a fan of his play style but can’t deny his improvement. Good to see.

Skybox wrote:

eyriq wrote:I'm becoming a fan. I like his character and personality, and his shooting is coming around. He has me thinking 50/40/90 is possible, which with his athleticism is really enticing.

Edit: Two comps that come up for me are Derrick White circa 2020 and Malcolm Brogdon this year. White makes ~16M and Brogdon makes ~$22M. Cole is playing his way into a very nice contract, and his style of play is validated by two players providing significant contributions to a contender.

I like his rebounding too (our frontcourt is a bit lacking) and his flair for the big play that can break the other team's will...the big dunk or cold-blooded 3. Don't get me wrong, he's not ready to take over yet and I'm not blind to his weaknesses...but his growth has been significant. In these last relatively meaningless games, I'd like to see more of him and/or Suggs running point (at this point, I have more faith in Cole as lead ballhandler...my thoughts on the years ahead with Fultz are well-documented).

He can play some defense due to his strength, quickness, toughness, instincts, and timing (some of his blocks have been fire). His main defensive weakness is his lack of size and length. On offense, he is really showing improvement in his shot selection and decision making. The main issue for me is his lack of playmaking, it seems like he struggles to run the offense and make plays for others. If we can keep him happy in the 6th man role we are in a great spot. I think he's just too small to start at the 2 and doesn't have the playmaking chops to run the offense with the starters.

Cole won’t win the award, due to guys from Boston and Milwaukee being on the list. Winning teams give those guys the edge. However, for us Magic fans it’s hard to not be impressed with Cole’s improvements. He’s always been able to score, but Coles playmaking, patience, rebounding and defense has all improved. I think he’s been great and I was probably Coles biggest critic the last couple years. I’m glad he’s proving me wrong and I think he’s a viable part of the Magics core.

Some improved rim protection behind him could elevate the appearance of Cole's defense...I'm guessing his speed could get him a few steals a game if our defensive-minded bigs were behind him to cancel mistakes...that's often a big factor in how much a "quick hands" guy can take risks and get turnovers. His effort seems way up, not sure that alone will make him a good defender...but it's a good sign.

Crazy enough, its looking like the Magic have made great picks the last 3 drafts:

2020: Cole Anthony
2021: Suggs, Franz
2022: Paolo, Houstan

Gotta give props where props are due.

I'll highlight one of Cole's lesser touched on contributions. He brings the team together and make them feel more like a brotherhood. He's been like this since he's joined the team. It doesnt feel forced like when the Magic first rebuilt after Dwight left and players "hung out" occasionally. It seems like they genuinely enjoy each other

ogmagicfan wrote:Crazy enough, its looking like the Magic have made great picks the last 3 drafts:

2020: Cole Anthony
2021: Suggs, Franz
2022: Paolo, Houstan

Gotta give props where props are due.

I'll highlight one of Cole's lesser touched on contributions. He brings the team together and make them feel more like a brotherhood. He's been like this since he's joined the team. It doesnt feel forced like when the Magic first rebuilt after Dwight left and players "hung out" occasionally. It seems like they genuinely enjoy each other

cant call Suggs a great pick yet. And Houstan looks like any 2nd round pick, some potential but not very good right now

tiderulz wrote:

ogmagicfan wrote:Crazy enough, its looking like the Magic have made great picks the last 3 drafts:

2020: Cole Anthony
2021: Suggs, Franz
2022: Paolo, Houstan

Gotta give props where props are due.

I'll highlight one of Cole's lesser touched on contributions. He brings the team together and make them feel more like a brotherhood. He's been like this since he's joined the team. It doesnt feel forced like when the Magic first rebuilt after Dwight left and players "hung out" occasionally. It seems like they genuinely enjoy each other

cant call Suggs a great pick yet. And Houstan looks like any 2nd round pick, some potential but not very good right now

He's an All-Defense level guard in his 2nd season. That's pretty special. Maybe he won't be a great pick, but atleast a good pick. It all depends on how his offensive game develops.

I'm just happy we actually drafted a player with our 2nd rounder and didn't sell it for cash considerations But if Houstan even becomes a rotational player, for a 2nd rounder, that's a great pick.

Cole Anthony is playing greatly the last couple of months, for some reason all orlando players are playing better than expected in 2023, save for Paolo?! But still Anthony has been disappointing in his first 2 and 1/2 seasons so i wont be too willing to give him an extension after only 2 months of good basketball.

tiderulz wrote:

ogmagicfan wrote:Crazy enough, its looking like the Magic have made great picks the last 3 drafts:

2020: Cole Anthony
2021: Suggs, Franz
2022: Paolo, Houstan

Gotta give props where props are due.

I'll highlight one of Cole's lesser touched on contributions. He brings the team together and make them feel more like a brotherhood. He's been like this since he's joined the team. It doesnt feel forced like when the Magic first rebuilt after Dwight left and players "hung out" occasionally. It seems like they genuinely enjoy each other

cant call Suggs a great pick yet. And Houstan looks like any 2nd round pick, some potential but not very good right now

Suggs has been impactful when he plays. He just needs to be healthy.

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basketballRob wrote:

tiderulz wrote:

ogmagicfan wrote:Crazy enough, its looking like the Magic have made great picks the last 3 drafts:

2020: Cole Anthony
2021: Suggs, Franz
2022: Paolo, Houstan

Gotta give props where props are due.

I'll highlight one of Cole's lesser touched on contributions. He brings the team together and make them feel more like a brotherhood. He's been like this since he's joined the team. It doesnt feel forced like when the Magic first rebuilt after Dwight left and players "hung out" occasionally. It seems like they genuinely enjoy each other

cant call Suggs a great pick yet. And Houstan looks like any 2nd round pick, some potential but not very good right now

Suggs has been impactful when he plays. He just needs to be healthy.

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being impactful and being a great pick are 2 different things. He can be a great pick, but he isnt there yet

Suggs still isnt a "great pick"

ogmagicfan wrote:

tiderulz wrote:

ogmagicfan wrote:Crazy enough, its looking like the Magic have made great picks the last 3 drafts:

2020: Cole Anthony
2021: Suggs, Franz
2022: Paolo, Houstan

Gotta give props where props are due.

I'll highlight one of Cole's lesser touched on contributions. He brings the team together and make them feel more like a brotherhood. He's been like this since he's joined the team. It doesnt feel forced like when the Magic first rebuilt after Dwight left and players "hung out" occasionally. It seems like they genuinely enjoy each other

cant call Suggs a great pick yet. And Houstan looks like any 2nd round pick, some potential but not very good right now

He's an All-Defense level guard in his 2nd season. That's pretty special. Maybe he won't be a great pick, but atleast a good pick. It all depends on how his offensive game develops.

I'm just happy we actually drafted a player with our 2nd rounder and didn't sell it for cash considerations But if Houstan even becomes a rotational player, for a 2nd rounder, that's a great pick.

Who unquestionably would have been better? Giddey. I love Giddey but he multiplies our shooting issues. I still would have taken him I think, but then maybe we outperform what we did with Suggs and miss out on Paolo!

Also maybe better than Suggs: Sengun (another player I loved but with Bamba ,Isaac and recently traded for Carter....)

Quentin Grimes. Huge reach at 5.

Herb Jones. Available in second Rd.

Other than that, I don't see anyone I'd prefer to have taken.

jezzerinho wrote:

ogmagicfan wrote:

tiderulz wrote:cant call Suggs a great pick yet. And Houstan looks like any 2nd round pick, some potential but not very good right now

He's an All-Defense level guard in his 2nd season. That's pretty special. Maybe he won't be a great pick, but atleast a good pick. It all depends on how his offensive game develops.

I'm just happy we actually drafted a player with our 2nd rounder and didn't sell it for cash considerations But if Houstan even becomes a rotational player, for a 2nd rounder, that's a great pick.

Who unquestionably would have been better? Giddey. I love Giddey but he multiplies our shooting issues. I still would have taken him I think, but then maybe we outperform what we did with Suggs and miss out on Paolo!

Also maybe better than Suggs: Sengun (another player I loved but with Bamba ,Isaac and recently traded for Carter....)

Quentin Grimes. Huge reach at 5.

Herb Jones. Available in second Rd.

Other than that, I don't see anyone I'd prefer to have taken.

On draft night, many had Suggs at 4. When TOR took Barnes, ORL fans, largely, were in joyful disbelief. Barnes is really good, but I still think Suggs was the pick…later outliers (like Herb & Franz notwithstanding ).

When all is said and done, I think he’ll have a better career than Barnes, who has, in only his second year, regressed to what he actually looked like coming into the draft, imo. Energy guy, arhlete, defender, good vision…very good role player. I still think Suggs will elevate as a multi-skilled all around basketball player, not a defense- only role player. Barnes at PG is just silly.

I have been critical of Cole in the past. Defense and consistency were my major gripes but he has really turned it up this year.

He is my Magic player of the year.

Cole has made me a Cole fan this year. Always appreciated his off-court leadership since it seemed our team has had one of the best 'vibes' since he was drafted - but this year he's become a real asset on the court.

Cole is going to get paid. I think he could easily fetch 4/76.


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