Why couldn't Cole Anthony become Magic's long term solution at Starting PG?

[MasterGMer]

I know many of you do not like Cole's style of play, but you just can not disregard his instant offense when he is on the court.

Cole is shooting over 40% from 3 during the last 6 games while shooting 100% on the Free Throw line

I understand the vibe here: Majority of you consider Franz and Paolo as the corner stone of our rebuild and want Magic to build around two stars who are only in their 1st and 2nd year in the league.

To be honest, I am a Fultz fan. But modern day basketball play has to have 3 point shooting to be successful. That is the reason we have Gary Harris starting along Fultz. But Harris is not a high volume shooter.

Everybody knows in order to have spacing for Franz and Paolo to drive more to the paint, we need spacing and 3 pt shooting.

Don't forget: We have Cole!

Cole was shooting 41.5% in his last 10 games from 3. I can see the dynamic of the offense changes once he is on the floor. Why? Because he is instant offense.

So Why not Cole Anthony at Starting PG for the long term?

I love Fultz. But his lack of 3 point shooting is causing Paolo and Franz's averages to go down.

Why couldn't Cole?

[basketballRob]

We do a lot of switching on defense, and Cole isn't strong enough to slow down bigger players. I'd rather see Suggs start because he's shown the ability to even guard bigs at times. Suggs defense is better than Cole's offense.

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[MasterGMer]

We do a lot of switching on defense, and Cole isn't strong enough to slow down bigger players. I'd rather see Suggs start because he's shown the ability to even guard bigs at times. Suggs defense is better than Cole's offense.

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Is the board really trying to find a starting PG from this year's draft?

[Knightro]

Small sample size strikes again apparently.

Cole is in the perfect role for his skill set. He's not a good enough defender or willing enough passer to be a starting PG on a good team. He pounds the air out of the ball primarily looking to score. He gets assists, but that's mainly because of how much he dominates the ball, not because of his passing chops.

He's also not consistent enough offensively. When he's on, Cole has that modern engine point guard game teams are looking for, but he's far too prone to absolute stink bombs too.

[MasterGMer]

Small sample size strikes again apparently.

Cole is in the perfect role for his skill set. He's not a good enough defender or willing enough passer to be a starting PG on a good team. He pounds the air out of the ball primarily looking to score. He gets assists, but that's mainly because of how much he dominates the ball, not because of his passing chops.

He's also not consistent enough offensively. When he's on, Cole has that modern engine point guard game teams are looking for, but he's far too prone to absolute stink bombs too.

So you do not like Cole or Fultz. What is your suggestion at starting PG spot? Draft? Trade? Suggs?

[Kent]

I like the question. It seems like the board sees Cole as being what he is: a spark off the bench offensively, and nothing more.

It might be true. Cole may never evolve to be more of a playmaker or defensive stalwart, but that's what keeps him from entering the conversation or thought process.

Jameer was better than Cole as-is, but let's pretend we could insert Cole into those 2009, 2010 teams for Nelson. It wouldn't be too much of a downgrade. Cole would likely defer and not look for his shot as much. Their defense would be a wash.

I bring this up to say that we need more at the 1 with this team because we don't have a player like Dwight. Dwight wasn't just a superstar — he was dominant.

Unless Paolo or Franz become dominant, at least right now, it seems like we need a lot from the PG slot.

[thelead]

Forgetting defense for a moment, Cole just isn't the playmaker you'd want for a team with quality bigs.

[Max Power]

I’ve completely flipped my view on Cole Anthony this season. I loathed him his first two years, but I think he’s improved by leaps and bounds this year. He’s more patient and he’s not just a shot hog anymore. I’d like us to keep him long term.

With all that said, Coles in the perfect spot for his game and to maximize his skill set. He’s a starting guard off the bench.

[Knightro]

So you do not like Cole or Fultz. What is your suggestion at starting PG spot? Draft? Trade? Suggs?

I didn't say I didn't like Cole. I like him fine as an instant offense guy off the bench. He's been good in that role.

I generally like Suggs where he is right now too as a strong defense chaos agent off the bench, but I think he could slide into the starting PG role in the right circumstances.

As far as what I'd do at point guard, there's plenty of options...

Draft Scoot
Sign VanVleet
Trade for an all-star PG (Trae?)
Trade for a all-star/borderline SG who can handle some of the playmaking load (Simons? LaVine? Beal? Herro? Poole? and start Suggs for defense

[Skybox]

I’ve been a big critic of Cole’s play. Last year, largely in the starting PG spot he was wildly inefficient and didn’t get teammates involved. ORL was riddled with injuries and you could speculate that there was no one worth passing up his own shot for.This is a much better team. I’d be supportive of a Cole/Suggs starting backcourt for the remainder of the season to see if he’s grown enough to step up to the role again. What do we have to lose at this point if we’re developing/ assessing players? The play-in is out of reach. I’d like our players to keep continuing to compete but now’s an ideal stretch to try things…I’d get Houstan out there and see if hes making any progress. Where’s Chuma too? If you’re not playing at this point, I’m not sure what your future with the team is. Give Fultz some load management and let’s give Cole another try.

Cole still has massive upside but his issues are between the ears…that could come with maturity. He really has all the tools and a great attitude, but judgment and BBIQ are something else. Worth a shot, imo.

[RichCollab]

I just started really liking Cole again. His play last year was frustrating half the time. He is doing so much better in his current role and actually improving on defense but still not good.

How many times has Cole drive and kick out this year? His court awareness isn’t up to PG level for me. Also, he can be inconsistent but that’s improved in his new role.

I would prefer him as SG if given another opportunity to start but I’m really happy with where he is at right now.

[eyriq]

Paolo is a 6'10 scoring wing in the mold of Carmelo Anthony, Franz is a 6'10 playmaking wing in the mold of Gordan Hayward. I'd argue that the ideal PG around them is the floor general archetype. A pass first point that can get Paolo and Franz the ball in positions where they can make plays for themselves and others, and can play great defense.

I think Fultz fits this archetype and I'm still curious why on/off and lineup analysis continue to say he is a net negative (I've not looked lately, is this turning around maybe?). Checking comps and Fultz has played his way into much more appealing territory. I'm seeing 2012 John Wall, 1993 Gary Payton, 2004 Dwayne Wade, and 2011 Andre Miller popping up for him now, though the ghost of Elfrid Payton still looms large.

Anyway, Cole is the opposite of this archetype as a scoring guard. Even if, for some odd reason that I don't fathom, we wanted to pair a scoring guard next to Paolo and Franz, Cole isn't starter quality in that role.

[ogmagicfan]

Cole has improved alot this year, and has improved from a below avg player to a good/great bench player, who can flip a game into a win from having those big games he has.

He's improved on defense, decision making, and although he can hold onto the ball at times he atleast doesn't do it as much.

He needs to continue to improve on the same things he improved on this last season, but also work on his 3 pt shot percentage (get to 37%+); and being more consistent offensively

If he does that, he'll be a starter in the NBA.

[FFBlitzace]

I feel like Cole has matured this season and it has contributed to his success. I also think the other major contributor to his success has been our ability as a team to finally have him in the right role. Having Fultz available is bigger than just Fultz himself, it trickles down a lot. I don't believe Cole would be having this career year if he had been tasked with the starting PG job.

[Knightro]

Paolo is a 6'10 scoring wing in the mold of Carmelo Anthony, Franz is a 6'10 playmaking wing in the mold of Gordan Hayward. I'd argue that the ideal PG around them is the floor general archetype. A pass first point that can get Paolo and Franz the ball in positions where they can make plays for themselves and others, and can play great defense.

I think Fultz fits this archetype and I'm still curious why on/off and lineup analysis continue to say he is a net negative (I've not looked lately, is this turning around maybe?). Checking comps and Fultz has played his way into much more appealing territory. I'm seeing 2012 John Wall, 1993 Gary Payton, 2004 Dwayne Wade, and 2011 Andre Miller popping up for him now, though the ghost of Elfrid Payton still looms large.

Anyway, Cole is the opposite of this archetype as a scoring guard. Even if, for some odd reason that I don't fathom, we wanted to pair a scoring guard next to Paolo and Franz, Cole isn't starter quality in that role.

Fultz's lack of 3PT shooting eliminates him from being an archetype for anyone.

[eyriq]

Paolo is a 6'10 scoring wing in the mold of Carmelo Anthony, Franz is a 6'10 playmaking wing in the mold of Gordan Hayward. I'd argue that the ideal PG around them is the floor general archetype. A pass first point that can get Paolo and Franz the ball in positions where they can make plays for themselves and others, and can play great defense.

I think Fultz fits this archetype and I'm still curious why on/off and lineup analysis continue to say he is a net negative (I've not looked lately, is this turning around maybe?). Checking comps and Fultz has played his way into much more appealing territory. I'm seeing 2012 John Wall, 1993 Gary Payton, 2004 Dwayne Wade, and 2011 Andre Miller popping up for him now, though the ghost of Elfrid Payton still looms large.

Anyway, Cole is the opposite of this archetype as a scoring guard. Even if, for some odd reason that I don't fathom, we wanted to pair a scoring guard next to Paolo and Franz, Cole isn't starter quality in that role.

Fultz's lack of 3PT shooting eliminates him from being an archetype for anyone.

Fultz is playing his way into "I'm so good I don't need a three" territory for me.

[Knightro]

Fultz is playing his way into "I'm so good I don't need a three" territory for me.

No disrespect intended, but that's simply not possible for a guard unless they're elite at multiple other things, which Fultz simply is not.

Not in the current NBA landscape where the vast majority of games are determined by 3PT shooting.

[shadrock]

You cant start Cole, hes proven not to be trustworthy as he always thinks its "The Cole Anthony Show" and jacks up way too many shots. He also cant defend the other teams starting PG.

Given he cant be trusted, he comes off the bench, where he can run the Cole Anthony Show as much as he likes with the bench mob.

[drsd]

The one thing Anthony does really well is defensive rebounding from the guard slot. But as a starter, he needs to be an on-ball shooter. That is possessions taken from F-Wagner and Banchero.

Anthony's game does not fit with what Orlando needs.

But on the bench, he could be one of the greatest 6th men in the league.

Glass half-full: Anthony's efficiency is increasing and his FT percentage is now in "elite" territory. Not sure why his FT attempts per game have dramatically slid this year.

[fendilim]

Not a two way player and he’ll shoot more than pass the ball to Paolo and Franz. Lol

6th man role is so perfect for him and his career.