How bout that AB!

[VFX]

I hope AB becomes Josh Giddey

Eventually this team seems destined to be: Black/Suggs/F-Wagner/Banchero/some-Center.

It will be interesting to see if that is what starting night for 2025/26 brings.

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

[Idiosyncratic]

I think between Suggs' injury history and the fact that he plays extremely hard he is a guy that they should look to keep his minutes down in the regular season. Already was somewhat the case even last year-- 27 min compared to 35 for Paolo and 33 for Franz. He had a slight increase this year and I'm not sure that was a good thing for him. It may be best to keep him down because of his playstyle and keep him fresh for the playoffs. Maybe feels bad for an expensive player, but maybe the best option for him. I'm not talking Isaac level, but even just back at 27 minutes, off day here and there.

Because of that I'm really not worried about minutes for AB even if they replace Caldwell-Pope with a better fitting guard. Heck even if they signed a backup PG in addition to that I think you can still find 28-30 minutes between both of the guard slots and the 3 for AB. He plays best as a swiss army knife 2 guard capable of hitting a corner 3 and slashing to the basket right now. I think that would look even better next to a guard that can shoot.

Of course he has to continue to show he is worthy of those minutes, but I hope with a potential 3rd year leap he will be.

Then you extend him for a reasonable amount and by his 2nd contract he is a capable lead guard. OK that is a pipe dream. But imagine.

[drsd]

I think what I liked about yesterdays game from AB is that he had a very bad shooting night but was either ; given the green light to stay aggressive, or just literally stayed aggressive. My thought is, team captain Paolo is whispering in his ear that this is needed from him and Mosely who is more of a character guy is letting the chemistry happen.

I don't know if I am seeing shades of Iggy or something else, when Black is aggressive all the tools in the woodshed come out and it turns him into something else. I don't know if he is capable yet to do this all the time, but when you have defensive magnets of Paolo + Franz it helps that Black is starting to get the mindset of making opponents pay for it.

Also, little more then I want out of Black 2-8 3ptA but he kept shooting on a night you NEED to keep shooting to not crash the entire offense and he also seeked his points elsewhere. Bravo.

Also, he was fearless on defense. Turning things around in the 3rd, there where three times where on rotation he ended up guarding Nurkić. All three times he kept Nurkić from scoring. That is amazing. At a basic level this means Black is willing to guard at all five positions. WOW.

[drsd]

I hope AB becomes Josh Giddey

Eventually this team seems destined to be: Black/Suggs/F-Wagner/Banchero/some-Center.

It will be interesting to see if that is what starting night for 2025/26 brings.

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

And-1.

This is a really important point. Black and Suggs would need to be off-ball, where Banchero and F-Wagner lead the offense. For that to work, Coach Mosley needs to invent a new offense. That sounds hard.

I have stated this before, whatever roster the management generates next, Coach Mosley needs a creative offensive coordinator. This year it is clearer than ever that that is a critical need. When has "upgrade assistant Coach" ever been so pressing? Well it is.

[drsd]

We need to get him more corner 3s, very good from the corners

Sent from my [Hands] using RealGM mobile app

50% from the right corner this year so far . Give him the green light from that spot!

[JoshuaPotter]

I think what I liked about yesterdays game from AB is that he had a very bad shooting night but was either ; given the green light to stay aggressive, or just literally stayed aggressive. My thought is, team captain Paolo is whispering in his ear that this is needed from him and Mosely who is more of a character guy is letting the chemistry happen.

I don't know if I am seeing shades of Iggy or something else, when Black is aggressive all the tools in the woodshed come out and it turns him into something else. I don't know if he is capable yet to do this all the time, but when you have defensive magnets of Paolo + Franz it helps that Black is starting to get the mindset of making opponents pay for it.

Also, little more then I want out of Black 2-8 3ptA but he kept shooting on a night you NEED to keep shooting to not crash the entire offense and he also seeked his points elsewhere. Bravo.

Also, he was fearless on defense. Turning things around in the 3rd, there where three times where on rotation he ended up guarding Nurkić. All three times he kept Nurkić from scoring. That is amazing. At a basic level this means Black is willing to guard at all five positions. WOW.

He guarded Wemby. The kid is fearless in that regard.

[JoshuaPotter]

I hope AB becomes Josh Giddey

Eventually this team seems destined to be: Black/Suggs/F-Wagner/Banchero/some-Center.

It will be interesting to see if that is what starting night for 2025/26 brings.

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

As homer as I am. I agree. This just shouldn't be. We are witnessing "Cojo Ingles 2.0" for us at the PG position. It opens up the offense, and allows a couple of buckets in rhythm at the beginning of the game. It didn't work last night in the 3rd, but then the Black / Houstan barrage had something to say about it which is fine.

Does Black or Suggs as trade bait nab us a PG who can do 5+ APG and 35%+ 3pt on decent volume? Because in essence that's what we need.

[Idiosyncratic]

Eventually this team seems destined to be: Black/Suggs/F-Wagner/Banchero/some-Center.

It will be interesting to see if that is what starting night for 2025/26 brings.

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

As homer as I am. I agree. This just shouldn't be. We are witnessing "Cojo Ingles 2.0" for us at the PG position. It opens up the offense, and allows a couple of buckets in rhythm at the beginning of the game. It didn't work last night in the 3rd, but then the Black / Houstan barrage had something to say about it which is fine.

Does Black or Suggs as trade bait nab us a PG who can do 5+ APG and 35%+ 3pt on decent volume? Because in essence that's what we need.

For what it's worth, guys like Simons and Coby wouldn't even be locks to average 5 assists. Sexton and Simons average 4.4 per 36 for their career, which is fewer per 36 than AB this year. Put them next to ball dominant Paolo and Franz and numbers could even go slightly down.

Not that I disagree with wanting 5+ assists, but even the oft-mentioned targets would likely struggle to get there or just barely reach it. Reaves or Monk probably can do it. Tyus, Dlo and Schroder will be signable for peanuts likely and could do it, but I would rather have a Sexton starting and one of those guys off the bench.

I think good shooting/scoring and competent passing is the most likely outcome for an acquisition. But I agree I would bring AB off the bench to spell Suggs and target a different PG with Caldwell-Pope's roster spot.

[Skybox]

Eventually this team seems destined to be: Black/Suggs/F-Wagner/Banchero/some-Center.

It will be interesting to see if that is what starting night for 2025/26 brings.

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

And-1.

This is a really important point. Black and Suggs would need to be off-ball, where Banchero and F-Wagner lead the offense. For that to work, Coach Mosley needs to invent a new offense. That sounds hard.

I have stated this before, whatever roster the management generates next, Coach Mosley needs a creative offensive coordinator. This year it is clearer than ever that that is a critical need. When has "upgrade assistant Coach" ever been so pressing? Well it is.

He already invented a new offense...and it sucked. Get a PG.

[Skybox]

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

As homer as I am. I agree. This just shouldn't be. We are witnessing "Cojo Ingles 2.0" for us at the PG position. It opens up the offense, and allows a couple of buckets in rhythm at the beginning of the game. It didn't work last night in the 3rd, but then the Black / Houstan barrage had something to say about it which is fine.

Does Black or Suggs as trade bait nab us a PG who can do 5+ APG and 35%+ 3pt on decent volume? Because in essence that's what we need.

For what it's worth, guys like Simons and Coby wouldn't even be locks to average 5 assists. Sexton and Simons average 4.4 per 36 for their career, which is fewer per 36 than AB this year. Put them next to ball dominant Paolo and Franz and numbers could even go slightly down.

Not that I disagree with wanting 5+ assists, but even the oft-mentioned targets would likely struggle to get there or just barely reach it. Reaves or Monk probably can do it. Tyus, Dlo and Schroder will be signable for peanuts likely and could do it, but I would rather have a Sexton starting and one of those guys off the bench.

I think good shooting/scoring and competent passing is the most likely outcome for an acquisition. But I agree I would bring AB off the bench to spell Suggs and target a different PG with Caldwell-Pope's roster spot.

I really hate "Per 36" talk...if he was THE PG - he'd already be starting ahead of Cory freakin' Joseph. Most Per 36 All-Stars aren't playing a lot of minutes for a reason. AB is playing really well because he's in his more natural role. He's the kind of guy that (like Paolo, Franz, and Suggs) could have an occasional triple double...but he's just not going to average 6+ apg (probably none of them will-which is fine). I like that they all have the talent to pile up assists on occasion, given certain matchups or game flows - but we still would be even better with a real PG on the roster with a little more offensive juice than CoJo (who is exhibit A as to envisioning what it COULD look like).

KCP and Suggs are in his way, not CoJo

[Idiosyncratic]

As homer as I am. I agree. This just shouldn't be. We are witnessing "Cojo Ingles 2.0" for us at the PG position. It opens up the offense, and allows a couple of buckets in rhythm at the beginning of the game. It didn't work last night in the 3rd, but then the Black / Houstan barrage had something to say about it which is fine.

Does Black or Suggs as trade bait nab us a PG who can do 5+ APG and 35%+ 3pt on decent volume? Because in essence that's what we need.

For what it's worth, guys like Simons and Coby wouldn't even be locks to average 5 assists. Sexton and Simons average 4.4 per 36 for their career, which is fewer per 36 than AB this year. Put them next to ball dominant Paolo and Franz and numbers could even go slightly down.

Not that I disagree with wanting 5+ assists, but even the oft-mentioned targets would likely struggle to get there or just barely reach it. Reaves or Monk probably can do it. Tyus, Dlo and Schroder will be signable for peanuts likely and could do it, but I would rather have a Sexton starting and one of those guys off the bench.

I think good shooting/scoring and competent passing is the most likely outcome for an acquisition. But I agree I would bring AB off the bench to spell Suggs and target a different PG with Caldwell-Pope's roster spot.

I really hate "Per 36" talk...if he was THE PG - he'd already be starting ahead of Cory freakin' Joseph. Most Per 36 All-Stars aren't playing a lot of minutes for a reason. AB is playing really well because he's in his more natural role. He's the kind of guy that (like Paolo, Franz, and Suggs) could have an occasional triple double...but he's just not going to average 6+ apg (probably none of them will-which is fine). I like that they all have the talent to pile up assists on occasion, given certain matchups or game flows - but we still would be even better with a real PG on the roster with a little more offensive juice than CoJo (who is exhibit A as to envisioning what it COULD look like).

KCP and Suggs are in his way, not CoJo

I mean I don't disagree with your per 36 gripes, but I used per 36 here to show that those guys aren't even guaranteed 5 assists in 36 minutes on teams where they have more freedom than they likely would here. They also wouldn't play 36 minutes here, so I just used that to show 5 assists per game from the always mentioned guys is not even guaranteed. Simons and Sexton do clear it the last couple of years, but Paolo and Franz will still have the ball a lot I will bet. But at the same time there are targets who I believe would average more assists and maybe that is a better fit? All is going to come down to the price and who's available, but we definitely need somebody.

Splitting hairs though, I think the arbitrary number is irrelevant. I agree we need a starting guard upgrade. We need someone that can competently pass and handle the ball and hit some 3s, regardless of what the numbers say. And I think we can do that while also getting AB plenty of minutes if he keeps improving.

[yoyojw17]

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

As homer as I am. I agree. This just shouldn't be. We are witnessing "Cojo Ingles 2.0" for us at the PG position. It opens up the offense, and allows a couple of buckets in rhythm at the beginning of the game. It didn't work last night in the 3rd, but then the Black / Houstan barrage had something to say about it which is fine.

Does Black or Suggs as trade bait nab us a PG who can do 5+ APG and 35%+ 3pt on decent volume? Because in essence that's what we need.

For what it's worth, guys like Simons and Coby wouldn't even be locks to average 5 assists. Sexton and Simons average 4.4 per 36 for their career, which is fewer per 36 than AB this year. Put them next to ball dominant Paolo and Franz and numbers could even go slightly down.

Not that I disagree with wanting 5+ assists, but even the oft-mentioned targets would likely struggle to get there or just barely reach it. Reaves or Monk probably can do it. Tyus, Dlo and Schroder will be signable for peanuts likely and could do it, but I would rather have a Sexton starting and one of those guys off the bench.

I think good shooting/scoring and competent passing is the most likely outcome for an acquisition. But I agree I would bring AB off the bench to spell Suggs and target a different PG with Caldwell-Pope's roster spot.

You look at boston... with 2 playmaking wing/forwards.... Jrue and White are not killing it in assists. Not because they can't playmake.... but because that's not needed of them. There are so many baskets made in a game and if the ballhandling is shared mainly in positions that are typically not expected to come from... then it has to come from somewhere. Having KCP and Suggs would have worked well for what we had built in the starting lineup.... with them doing the tertiary ballhandling in comparison to high usage Paolo and franz. Injuries kicked that notion out the window and the lack of a traditional PG kicked us in the butt.... because it was like we lost our 1st and 2nd ballhandling options. continued to spiral with the loss of suggs and Black was still not ready to take that pressure. as the season has gone on.... he is showing that he could embrace that role.

But... yup.... we do need to have an option to play a facilitating PG that can direct and command an offense on their own... whether that is to start them, play them off the bench, or "break in case of emergency"

there were a lot of adjustments needed.

[drsd]

So zero players in the starting lineup averaging 5 assists or more?

It's not assists per game for a given player that matters; it is assists for the team. So I looked it up.

The Magic is dead last in the league this year in team apg. Sad.

[pepe1991]

It's not about APGs per se, it's about creating good offense. Celtics due pace are 18th in APGs ( 4th slowest pace), but Prichard, White, Horford, Tatum, Brown, ZIngis , Jrue all can pass . Once upon a time Jrue was top 5 "pass first" PGs, Hoford averaged 5 APG as medium usage PF/c in his prime so we know that they know how to move ball.

Among all the counting stats, assists are most archaic. Due how basketball is played nowadays it's near impossible to end up with 0 assists from nothing but ball swings.
Like, last night Jalen Duren ended up with 7 assists in 24 min. Towns had 11 in 34 min.

Needless to say sometimes nba awards player for assist for doing next to nothing. Like, guy passes to a guy, guy does 5 dribbles but within assist window, and makes some layup /long shots and there you are- assist. That's why i'm alway shocked when i see guys like Isaac spending weeks with 0 assists. It's almost anomaly in current league , given how it's counted.

[basketballRob]

Franz and Paolo both should pass more

[drsd]

Franz and Paolo both should pass more

Post of the day!

[KillMonger]

Franz and Paolo both should pass more

Facts.... Also the "others" need to hit more shots

Sent from my [Sidekick 5G] using RealGM mobile app

[Bensational]

Over the last 5 games AB may have been coming off the bench but he’s been kind of stepping into Suggs’ role in his absence. Becoming that 3rd guy who can do a little creation, but most of all is drilling 3’s and bringing lockdown defense.

Only 5 games. Let’s hope it becomes 10!

[eyriq]

Over the last 5 games AB may have been coming off the bench but he’s been kind of stepping into Suggs’ role in his absence. Becoming that 3rd guy who can do a little creation, but most of all is drilling 3’s and bringing lockdown defense.

Only 5 games. Let’s hope it becomes 10!

Beautiful to see. He's our x-factor without Suggs, Moe, or Cole.

His next bad game is going to be painful

[eyriq]

When can we say that AB is on a better trajectory than Suggs was? Not yet, but it's getting close.

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