The Anthony Black dunk tank

[Ducklett]

Come one, come all...lob your critiques of Anthony Black and watch eyriq deflect them with amazingly creative and far-reaching explanations that defy all logic

Just kidding...but there IS plenty to discuss/debate re: AB's development, role, future, upcoming potential extension, etc and I thought there should be a thread just for them as they have a sticky tendency to slide into every thread.

No one hates a magic player more than a magic fan.

[Skybox]

Come one, come all...lob your critiques of Anthony Black and watch eyriq deflect them with amazingly creative and far-reaching explanations that defy all logic

Just kidding...but there IS plenty to discuss/debate re: AB's development, role, future, upcoming potential extension, etc and I thought there should be a thread just for them as they have a sticky tendency to slide into every thread.

No one hates a magic player more than a magic fan.

The irony is I think AB is good…just disagree about the player profile…then others roll in with “he sucks”

[Ducklett]

Come one, come all...lob your critiques of Anthony Black and watch eyriq deflect them with amazingly creative and far-reaching explanations that defy all logic

Just kidding...but there IS plenty to discuss/debate re: AB's development, role, future, upcoming potential extension, etc and I thought there should be a thread just for them as they have a sticky tendency to slide into every thread.

No one hates a magic player more than a magic fan.

The irony is I think AB is good…just disagree about the player profile…then others roll in with “he sucks”

I don't mean you specifically and I dont think AB is immune to criticism. It is just wild after watching the sports world's reaction to the Bane trade and about our roster (including that hilarious Cavs show someone linked), everyone outside of Orlando was gassing up AB and a few team specific shows said they should see if they could "pry AB loose" if we pick Clayton because it would be a huge get for their teams.

Maybe all these other commentary guys just suck and/or don't watch Magic games, certainly many of them fall in that category, but it is a really weird highly positive review of the dude as a whole if you were to read this forum for information on AB, where you would think he is somewhere from career backup at best to out of the league after his first contract (yes people on here had said that I can get the posts) at worst.

[drsd]

The irony is I think AB is good…just disagree about the player profile…then others roll in with “he sucks”

Black can play the 1-3 off f the bench. That is an asset. That said, usually a team expects #6 to lead to a starter; Black won't start anytime soon.
So there is a mini-bust label on him for that.

His game does lead to wins. That's what matters.

[basketballRob]

I just want Black to be a plus player next season.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[Knightro]

Considering he's still only 21, I don't think it's necessarily fair to say what he is or isn't at this time. He needs to keep improving and he should.

What I am confident in is that he's going to be one of the 8 or 9 guys who plays consistent minutes in what is hopefully a deep playoff run this upcoming season.

[RichCollab]

I hope we add a true PG “Tyus Jones” to the second unit. I actually think this will help AB develop. AB can still become a PG or play maker we will need it.

[eyriq]

I hope we add a true PG “Tyus Jones” to the second unit. I actually think this will help AB develop. AB can still become a PG or play maker we will need it.

That’ll be a key signal. If they bring in an on-ball guard, it likely means they see AB more off-ball. If it’s an off-ball guard, that’s a vote of confidence in AB developing as a lead initiator.

[drsd]

Considering he's still only 21, I don't think it's necessarily fair to say what he is or isn't at this time.

I don't agree.

We fans can state, "Black won't be a starter in 2025/26". It is not a knock on him. Just how it is.

[Knightro]

Considering he's still only 21, I don't think it's necessarily fair to say what he is or isn't at this time.

I don't agree.

We fans can state, "Black won't be a starter in 2025/26". It is not a knock on him. Just how it is.

But that doesn't mean anything.

We're talking about if he's an effective basketball player or not.

[RichCollab]

I hope we add a true PG “Tyus Jones” to the second unit. I actually think this will help AB develop. AB can still become a PG or play maker we will need it.

That’ll be a key signal. If they bring in an on-ball guard, it likely means they see AB more off-ball. If it’s an off-ball guard, that’s a vote of confidence in AB developing as a lead initiator.

We need ready to go vet. It’s nothing against AB and he can still get there. But we are in go mode and AB isn’t ready yet and doesn’t seem close.

[Fortune Teller]

Next year's win-now environment will not be conducive to learning on the job so he needs to get better this summer. He's going into Year 3 and got significant minutes last season. If he's going to be anything more than a high-level defender (something you can find in the second round of the draft) then it's time to show it.

[eyriq]

I hope we add a true PG “Tyus Jones” to the second unit. I actually think this will help AB develop. AB can still become a PG or play maker we will need it.

That’ll be a key signal. If they bring in an on-ball guard, it likely means they see AB more off-ball. If it’s an off-ball guard, that’s a vote of confidence in AB developing as a lead initiator.

We need ready to go vet. It’s nothing against AB and he can still get there. But we are in go mode and AB isn’t ready yet and doesn’t seem close.

Plenty of buzz around replacing Harris with someone like NAW, but nothing credible linking us to a lead guard like Tyus or Brogdon. The move for a scoring guard was heavily telegraphed. If we were targeting an on-ball vet, you'd expect some noise by now. Let's see.

[JF5]

Scary time for him and just a lot of uncertainty. He's not a PG. He's more useful like in the connective wing spot. 2 issues are he still isn't a very good scorer/shooter for a team that cant shoot and the rumors that they're going after NAW. I just dont see a world if the Magic sign NAW, AB would still be here.

They're trying to get more offense/playmaking and he doesn't fit either profile. 3rd year and being 21 years old/having the most potential. He'd be our biggest trade chip for more fitting players/later and better draft picks for this roster in the future.

[RichCollab]

That’ll be a key signal. If they bring in an on-ball guard, it likely means they see AB more off-ball. If it’s an off-ball guard, that’s a vote of confidence in AB developing as a lead initiator.

We need ready to go vet. It’s nothing against AB and he can still get there. But we are in go mode and AB isn’t ready yet and doesn’t seem close.

Plenty of buzz around replacing Harris with someone like NAW, but nothing credible linking us to a lead guard like Tyus or Brogdon. The move for a scoring guard was heavily telegraphed. If we were targeting an on-ball vet, you'd expect some noise by now. Let's see.

We don’t leak info. Example Bane. Bane is the scoring guard who can self create. I buy zero national media buzz on our team. You know better than that.

[AdamTheGreek]

I hope we add a true PG “Tyus Jones” to the second unit. I actually think this will help AB develop. AB can still become a PG or play maker we will need it.

That’ll be a key signal. If they bring in an on-ball guard, it likely means they see AB more off-ball. If it’s an off-ball guard, that’s a vote of confidence in AB developing as a lead initiator.

While I think Tyus would be a great signing (we know he plays well with Bane, we know he’d play well with Paolo and/or Franz when those two support the second unit), I don’t think it means AB can’t be a PG.
AB would be a great partner with Tyus and he’d learn a lot.

Jones picked the Suns over us because of minutes and he thought Phoenix was a better contender. He might make the correct choice this summer.

[Skybox]

IF we went to such great lengths to free up MLE and signed NAW...I think AB is trade bait. I see zero reason for both and AB will be the next guy up for an extension in a year. So far, he's just interesting - a good defender, can hit an open 3 if you can get him to take it, can handle the ball a bit if you can keep him from picking it up just past the logo. No real weaknesses, just no real impact thus far-he needs to get angry or something and stake his claim.

This is a big summer for him - he really needs to do what he's been doing - but 25% more, imo. Unless there's an incoming UFA/trade vet, he's the clear #3 guard and, honestly, that's not good enough for ORL - if we hope to contend in the East. Right now, he's just a specialist like Isaac...but I do think he can be more. It's not guaranteed that he will.

[RichCollab]

IF we went to such great lengths to free up MLE and signed NAW...I think AB is trade bait. I see zero reason for both and AB will be the next guy up for an extension in a year. So far, he's just interesting - a good defender, can hit an open 3 if you can get him to take it, can handle the ball a bit if you can keep him from picking it up just past the logo. No real weaknesses, just no real impact thus far-he needs to get angry or something and stake his claim.

This is a big summer for him - he really needs to do what he's been doing - but 25% more, imo. Unless there's an incoming UFA/trade vet, he's the clear #3 guard and, honestly, that's not good enough for ORL - if we hope to contend in the East. Right now, he's just a specialist like Isaac...but I do think he can be more. It's not guaranteed that he will.

NAW doesn’t fill the ultimate need and we already have AB.

I don’t think NAW is what this team needs.

In a vacuum, NAW makes a ton of sense but he isn’t a creator on a bench that’s already starved. A team that is starved.

I’m happy if we add NAW. It’s another upgrade to our guard rotation from last year.

[AdamTheGreek]

Next year's win-now environment will not be conducive to learning on the job so he needs to get better this summer. He's going into Year 3 and got significant minutes last season. If he's going to be anything more than a high-level defender (something you can find in the second round of the draft) then it's time to show it.

You’re always learning.

Carlisle himself mentioned how much the Pacers have learned and grown up from the end of the regular season to now.

It’s OK to learn on the job in the playoffs. It’s a matter of being up for the moment.
AB needed that first Celtics game to get acclimated to playoff basketball (because the coaching staff screwed him by not playing him the Cavs series; this also going to be a Tristan early disadvantage next playoffs).
But the rest of that Celtics series, he didn’t shy from the moment. Yes, he’s shot wasn’t going in and it’ll grow with work and experience, but he wasn’t scared like Cole was. AB will be fine based on his work ethic.

[Skybox]

IF we went to such great lengths to free up MLE and signed NAW...I think AB is trade bait. I see zero reason for both and AB will be the next guy up for an extension in a year. So far, he's just interesting - a good defender, can hit an open 3 if you can get him to take it, can handle the ball a bit if you can keep him from picking it up just past the logo. No real weaknesses, just no real impact thus far-he needs to get angry or something and stake his claim.

This is a big summer for him - he really needs to do what he's been doing - but 25% more, imo. Unless there's an incoming UFA/trade vet, he's the clear #3 guard and, honestly, that's not good enough for ORL - if we hope to contend in the East. Right now, he's just a specialist like Isaac...but I do think he can be more. It's not guaranteed that he will.

NAW doesn’t fill the ultimate need and we already have AB.

I don’t think NAW is what this team needs.

In a vacuum, NAW makes a ton of sense but he isn’t a creator on a bench that’s already starved. A team that is starved.

I think we agree...any team would benefit from having 4 NAWs...but we have more pressing needs and it will take significant shuffling to get him. Just like last summer - KCP is a very solid player, but not what we needed. Look at OKC...so deep with tough defenders that can make 3's

but pairing two AB's is a zero on offense...I'll admit NAW deserves a longer look - he displayed offensive chops earlier...both scoring and playmaking, so maybe they form a terrifying long defensive wall off the bench with just enough offense. Regardless, if AB doesn't up his offensive intensity and ambition, he's going to vanish. His draft spot, physical profile, great attitude, and upside will only buy so much patience from a now contending team.