Jalen Suggs has looked more like a rookie than some of the other lottery picks in this year’s draft, but the Magic are willing to be patient with him, writes Austin David of The Orlando Sentinel. The No. 5 overall pick is struggling in his first month in the NBA, shooting just 31.2% from the field and 20.3% from three-point range while averaging 3.5 turnovers per game to go with his 3.5 assists.
But Suggs has held onto his starting job, and a rebuilding Orlando team is planning to give him the time he needs to learn how to be an NBA point guard. Head coach Jamahl Mosley is a strong believer in Suggs and says he’s constantly working to get better.
“The thing that I continue to tell everyone is that the way he’s seeing it and communicating it through film sessions, with our coaches, with myself on the sideline, he’s seeing it very well,” Mosley said. “Now it’s just a matter of putting the physical side of it to it, and understanding when to slow down, when to speed up, the right reads, when it takes shots. He’s getting better at it slowly but surely. So as he can continue to communicate it, the better he’ll be as he sees it on the physical side of it.”
There’s more from the Southeast Division:
- Miles Bridges is in his fourth season with the Hornets, but he still gets butterflies when playing in front of team owner Michael Jordan, according to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Jordan attended Friday’s game and Bridges was aware of his presence. “The greatest basketball player of all time on the bench supporting you, it definitely gives you nerves,” Bridges said. “I came out and missed a few layups, missed three few free throws. But as soon as we started settling in and started playing our game, I feel like that’s when it took a turn. That’s when we started going on our runs. But it’s great to have him out there.”
- Ish Smith, who signed with the Hornets in the offseason, played a little more than a minute Friday after sitting out the last two games of the club’s road trip, Boone adds. Coach James Borrego said the decisions have been based more on matchups than Smith’s performance, as he wanted to give Terry Rozier more time at point guard.
- Hawks coach Nate McMillan may start using John Collins more frequently as a center with his second unit, per Sarah K. Spencer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. McMillan said Collins and Danilo Gallinari are an effective pairing against smaller lineups.
Not worried about Jalen Suggs. I think he is just going through the growing pains most rookies experience. Still think at worst he will be a good starting point guard. Maybe not an all star but a solid starter. Of course that’s worst case IMO.
I still think he develops into an all star
All star seems like a stretch to me. But i do think he will be a starter for years to come in the nba. Since you’re a phillies fan i’ll make a baseball comp. I see him as a 2 war player.
Always said that Suggs had the greatest potential for bust of all the draft… can’t wait for Fultz to be back & at least they can bench Suggs then!
ORL should have picked Giddey or Kuminga, clearly better players than Suggs, but… how bad do the Magic always pick in the draft?!?!?
Clearly Raptors saw the warning signs with Suggs. Give Masai all the credit in taking Scottie who will get ROTY unless ESPN pushes for Mobley.
Suggs will be ok. Some take longer than others. I do see him as an NBA starter. But Orlando with Anthony, Suggs, Fultz. Will have mins issue. Never good for a developing pick. I would try and move Anthony. He’s playing well right now. And would bring back good value.
The following message is meaningless to me because it’s a small size and he is brand new. Suggs will be a solid starter.
The No. 5 overall pick is struggling in his first month in the NBA, shooting just 31.2% from the field and 20.3% from three-point range while averaging 3.5 turnovers per game to go with his 3.5 assists.
Hawks are 4-9 ….. WHY ????
chirp …. chirp …. chirp …. chirp
They have had a tough schedule to start season. Haven’t watch them. It is surprising though.
Suggs is gem. I hope ORL gives up on him in favor of pedestrian talents like CA and/or MF. It might give the Knicks the chance to swoop in. Of course, even the most myopic organization wouldn’t be at that point yet.