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

[eyriq]

It's not play-in KCP, it's playoff KCP

[Idiosyncratic]

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.

Kind of what I see as well. I want all of these guys to improve at shooting and be able to win a chip together. That would be awesome and ideal.

But realistically I think they acquire a quality non star guard this offseason and if they don't make serious noise in the playoffs next year is when major shakeups will be considered. That's what I think will happen at least, IDK who gets traded, depends on if AB takes a leap and what kind of stars are available, but we'll see I guess.

[RookieStar]

Yo... whats with all the comments that neutral fans been saying. 1min mark left they saw a chick getting out her coke bag?

Was that for WCJ? Lol

[Optimus_Steel]

Look again. You'll figure it out

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

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

I rewatched the 4th, they showed face at one point and she is gorgeous.

[richi_v25]

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.

I think if our top 4 scorers didn't get hurt we would have been or been real close this year.

[RookieStar]

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

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

I rewatched the 4th, they showed face at one point and she is gorgeous.

Lucky dog

[basketballRob]

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[basketballRob]

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[fendilim]

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.

I think its a great matchup for Cole. Hope he wont be hunted though.

Cole vs Pritchard should be great. Same size for Cole. I think he wont be that much of a liability… until he is hunted.

[basketballRob]

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.

I think its a great matchup for Cole. Hope he wont be hunted though.

Cole vs Pritchard should be great. Same size for Cole. I think he wont be that much of a liability… until he is hunted.

Black has locked up Pritchard the last few times we've played them. He has like 20 lbs on Cole.

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[fendilim]

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.

I think its a great matchup for Cole. Hope he wont be hunted though.

Cole vs Pritchard should be great. Same size for Cole. I think he wont be that much of a liability… until he is hunted.

Black has locked up Pritchard the last few times we've played them. He has like 20 lbs on Cole.

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Who cole defending?

[CZ Eddie]

Hahah, Memphis pulling an Atlanta on Golden State.
Came back from 20 down to take the lead in the 4th.
With Ja down.

[basketballRob]

I think its a great matchup for Cole. Hope he wont be hunted though.

Cole vs Pritchard should be great. Same size for Cole. I think he wont be that much of a liability… until he is hunted.

Black has locked up Pritchard the last few times we've played them. He has like 20 lbs on Cole.

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Who cole defending?

I don't know, but I watched the matchup closely when Black guarded Pritchard, and Black gave him nothing


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[KillMonger]

Didn't know Trae was that soft, how can you lose composure like that in this big of a game for you?

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[OnlyFranz22]

Didn't know Trae was that soft, how can you lose composure like that in this big of a game for you?

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Because his second best player has been hurt and they traded away the only help he had in Hunter and Bogy for nothing lol

[Bensational]

Didn't know Trae was that soft, how can you lose composure like that in this big of a game for you?

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Probably because they get a 2nd chance in the elimination play-in. If it were a 7 game series he probably holds that in.

[KillMonger]

Dont make excuses for him cause yall want him here..... He's soft

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[rcklsscognition]

Someone probably already posted this but if not this is from Trae:

“They're a physical team. I've had two teammates hurt this year in one game against them," Young said. "I'm not going to call them dirty players or anything like that. I think they have a lot of talented players. But a lot of the plays and the moments ... it's not even necessarily basketball at that point. I think that's where the frustration got."

[pepe1991]

Carried by Carter and Cole. Can't make those stuff up

Really don't know what to say, we shot better than opponents for 3

Hawks had nice run but ran out of gas.
Our bench outscored Hawks bench 57-30

Boston series will probably be ugly to watch, Cavs were easier opponent but whatever. Nobody expects anything from us, including fans.




But man i have to talk about Hawks for a second.
Last year i saw The Athletic article calling Hawks front office incompetent and i agreed on some points but thought it was harsh.
This year Landry Fields had his "i will win Billy King - LVGM (least valuable GM) " moment.
They don't have pick.
They trade 3rd best player ( best two way player they have, former own lottery pick ) for second round picks , dumb bench scorer and fat 6'6 PF.
They trade Bogie after poor year, at lowest value for two nobodies, and cut one.
They start 39th pick. Did Fields sent his junk to Gueye so now guy blackmails him? That's only logical explanation how guy is starter. Guy belongs in some 2001 where PFs were often played by undersized centers who couldn't put ball on the deck.

Can Hawks beat Bulls/Heat? Maybe. But being without pick making lose now moves is nuts. Like it's case with Pelicans, Hornets, Wizards, some teams are so poorly ran that league should step in and force selling/ FO changes, or treat to take team away from city.

Do you know who is Hawks executive? Son's owner. That level of nepotism

[pepe1991]

Didn't know Trae was that soft, how can you lose composure like that in this big of a game for you?

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Probably because they get a 2nd chance in the elimination play-in. If it were a 7 game series he probably holds that in.

Good times to be Spurs fan, those fools gave up unprotected pick