Another important game tonight in Atlanta. Hawks up by .5 game for the 6th spot.
donât look now, but the Magic have been getting punted into the sun on a nightly basis since Paolo returned
I may have takes
So it confirms that Franz > Paolo? 
2 Likes
that is my capital T not completely sincere TAKE
(there are longer term larger sample indicators this may actually be true tho)
This year:
Paolo on/Franz off: Magic are a net -.033 points per 100 possessions
Franz on/Paolo off: Magic are a net +.1 points per 100 possessions
there are obviously major complicating factors (Paolo has barely played, essentially has not played with their third best player (Suggs))
but if we look last year:
both on: +.029 pp100
Paolo/no Franz: -.065 pp100
Franz/no Paolo: +.114
Franz (with or without Paolo) +/-: +.047
Paolo (with or without Franz) +/-: +.004
This obviously doesnât mean âFranz is better tha Paoloâ in absolute terms, but suggests that the Magic definitely play better with Franz than Paolo alone and, unfortunatelyâŚbetter with Franz alone than with both.
Eastern Conference Reserves
Backcourt: Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
"Now that the starting five is spoken for, there are technically four open spots remaining for about eight guards who deserve an invitation. The margins separating them are subjective, but Cunningham has become a lock.
Being surrounded by actual shooters for the first time in his career helps. (No player has assisted more 3s this season.) Steering lineups that donât look like they were cryogenically frozen in 1988 does, too. Cunninghamâs ceiling, as a former no. 1 pick, is starting to look like a (slightly smaller) cross between Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum. Thereâs offensive versatility, three-level scoring, plus defense, and complete command of the pick-and-roll.
Cunningham has never looked so comfortable. Only Trae Young and Brunson have the ball in their hands more often. Only Young and Jokic are averaging more assists. His impact on Detroitâs half-court offense is elite. He ranked 192nd in estimated plus-minus last year and is now near the top 25.
His 3-point shot is coming around, and heâs already established himself as one of the leagueâs top playmakers. Cunningham would be a top-10 player if he could just cut down on some of the more negligent turnovers and finish at the rim like someone his size, with his touch, should.
This has nothing to do with on-court production, but I also just love how much of a leader Cunningham has become. You can see his love for and trust in his teammates, which is constantly reciprocated. Look at this sequence from Detroitâs New Yearâs Day win in Orlando. Cunningham spends damn near an entire possession clapping for Isaiah Stewart after he switches onto Jalen Suggs:
This is what an ideal franchise cornerstone looks like: someone who infuses confidence in everyone who depends on them. The Pistons are a playoff team right now; no individual is more responsible than Cade."
2 Likes
Blew a 19 point lead to a Raptors team that has zero interest in winning.
In other news Monty is killing it TMI Episcopal with a 10-8 record. Heâs over .500
Is he coaching some of the NBA playersâ son on the team like Tim Duncanâs son? Iâm not sure how good theyâre supposed to be but 10-8 isnât good lol.
Is he a CP3 merchant? 
The nba players kids he is coaching are his own
Jimmy loves the spotlight
Yeah Iâm quite possibly gonna get stuck holding an L on Franz bc it might turn out that Paolo is a low key huge problem to play with. Paolo needs to figure it out.
Maybe he just needs the right surroundingsâŚlike Cade
Fontecchio is upping his trade value tonight.
Another W by the Pistons
4 Likes
Up to the 6th seed. Cade scored at will. Pistons shooters were hot for 3 quarters. Atlanta was ice cold all game. Ausar did a great job on Trae Young. Stew had two highlight reel blocks on Jalen Johnson (who had postered Duren earlier in the game.)
Beef has been on the under the radar as one of the better rim protector in the league and thatâs shocking considering his size.
Paolo is an empty calories player and always has been.
The drop is basically all on defense
But again the numbers were last year and I AM sort of asking myself if Paolo isnât a hat on Franzâs hat
Cade made Danny Wolf blush with his 10 turnovers tonight
1 Like