Anthony Black - Arkansas

[BostonCouchGM]

top 5 is silly. It was silly before the season, during and especially now. He's not 6'7" first of all. He can't shoot. He has narrow shoulders so not the type of frame that can pack on muscle. That said, despite this, I still have him in the top 10 in a weaker draft class because I believe he is a plus defender with great BBIQ on both ends, can pass and has "it". What really surprised me was how effective he was getting to the rim and finishing.

He is 6'7 and he's already pretty muscular for a 19 year old. He isn't a twig in the slightest, his legs especially are well developed for a teenager. His lower body strength is one of the reasons why he was able to get to the line so effectively.

You're right about his shot however. He shoots it flat because he doesn't get enough lift. His form and footwork are fine though, so I think it's something he can address. If he doesn't he'll still be a great role player in the league, but to be more than that he needs to be able to shoot off the dribble.

his hair gives off the appearance that he's 6'7" but he's probably close to 6'5.5"

go to 49 seconds in and he's shown standing with fellow Razerbacks Smith (6'3") and Walsh (6'6") and Black is clearly shorter than Walsh. Walsh is listed at 6'7" but he's not imho.

https://youtu.be/uLEtyzENWvw

He DOES have a great base but his narrow shoulders won't allow him to put on the muscle that could help him finish through contact so it's a limiting factor.

[clyde21]

top 5 is silly. It was silly before the season, during and especially now. He's not 6'7" first of all. He can't shoot. He has narrow shoulders so not the type of frame that can pack on muscle. That said, despite this, I still have him in the top 10 in a weaker draft class because I believe he is a plus defender with great BBIQ on both ends, can pass and has "it". What really surprised me was how effective he was getting to the rim and finishing.

He is 6'7 and he's already pretty muscular for a 19 year old. He isn't a twig in the slightest, his legs especially are well developed for a teenager. His lower body strength is one of the reasons why he was able to get to the line so effectively.

You're right about his shot however. He shoots it flat because he doesn't get enough lift. His form and footwork are fine though, so I think it's something he can address. If he doesn't he'll still be a great role player in the league, but to be more than that he needs to be able to shoot off the dribble.

his hair gives off the appearance that he's 6'7" but he's probably close to 6'5.5"

go to 49 seconds in and he's shown standing with fellow Razerbacks Smith (6'3") and Walsh (6'6") and Black is clearly shorter than Walsh. Walsh is listed at 6'7" but he's not imho.

https://youtu.be/uLEtyzENWvw

He DOES have a great base but his narrow shoulders won't allow him to put on the muscle that could help him finish through contact so it's a limiting factor.

nothing to do with his hair lol...literally shoulder to shoulder with Walsh

[The-Power]

I think he's going to be out of the league within a few years. I don't understand the hype with him. He is so passive on offense. I don't know what he does well. I wouldn't draft him in the 1st round

Woah. It's one thing not to be high on him but not a FRP? That's borderline indefensible. One of the youngest players in the draft with NBA wing size, NBA athleticism, a good feel for the game, on-ball skills (ball handling, passing), strong defense, a good head on his shoulders and full trust from his college coach? That's an obvious lock in the first round. It's most likely a lock for the lottery, too. In any draft. In fact, arguably the only thing he does not do at an NBA level is shooting the ball.

[Hal14]

I think he's going to be out of the league within a few years. I don't understand the hype with him. He is so passive on offense. I don't know what he does well. I wouldn't draft him in the 1st round

He has a .578 FTr yet he's "so passive on offense" ? Just say you don't know basketball.

[Hal14]

I think he's going to be out of the league within a few years. I don't understand the hype with him. He is so passive on offense. I don't know what he does well. I wouldn't draft him in the 1st round

Woah. It's one thing not to be high on him but not a FRP? That's borderline indefensible. One of the youngest players in the draft with NBA wing size, NBA athleticism, a good feel for the game, on-ball skills (ball handling, passing), strong defense, a good head on his shoulders and full trust from his college coach? That's an obvious lock in the first round. It's most likely a lock for the lottery, too. In any draft. In fact, arguably the only thing he does not do at an NBA level is shooting the ball.

Agreed. And Giddey, Ben Simmons, Lamelo, Scottie Barnes and Dyson Daniels couldn't shoot it well prior to the NBA either.

Amen isn'y a good shooter and is a consensus top 5 pick.

Shooting is the easiest thing to improve once you get to the league.

Guys like horford, Book lopez and Muscala didn't even shoot from 3 in college and they're all 40% shooters from 3 in the league. Just a matter of putting in the work..

[LofJ]

I think he's going to be out of the league within a few years. I don't understand the hype with him. He is so passive on offense. I don't know what he does well. I wouldn't draft him in the 1st round

Woah. It's one thing not to be high on him but not a FRP? That's borderline indefensible. One of the youngest players in the draft with NBA wing size, NBA athleticism, a good feel for the game, on-ball skills (ball handling, passing), strong defense, a good head on his shoulders and full trust from his college coach? That's an obvious lock in the first round. It's most likely a lock for the lottery, too. In any draft. In fact, arguably the only thing he does not do at an NBA level is shooting the ball.

Agreed. And Giddey, Ben Simmons, Lamelo, Scottie Barnes and Dyson Daniels couldn't shoot it well prior to the NBA either.

Yep, Anthony Black does everything well except shooting the ball. He arguably has less weaknesses than anyone outside of the top half of the lottery. And even then I trust his skill-set and production more than the Thompson twins. It's why I think he's a worthy pick in the top 5.

[azcatz11]

I think he's going to be out of the league within a few years. I don't understand the hype with him. He is so passive on offense. I don't know what he does well. I wouldn't draft him in the 1st round

Woah. It's one thing not to be high on him but not a FRP? That's borderline indefensible. One of the youngest players in the draft with NBA wing size, NBA athleticism, a good feel for the game, on-ball skills (ball handling, passing), strong defense, a good head on his shoulders and full trust from his college coach? That's an obvious lock in the first round. It's most likely a lock for the lottery, too. In any draft. In fact, arguably the only thing he does not do at an NBA level is shooting the ball.

Most of the attributes you described (NBA wing size, 'good feel for the game' 'good head on his shoulders') are all qualitative attributes. I don't really think he has a good feel for the game either. Whenever I watched him, he would get rid of the ball right away like a poor mans' Lonzo.

His size doesn't really impact the game either. Have you seen Arkansas play? When have you seen him make an impact? Not trying to hate but I don't see it. He reminds me of Dalen Terry with better dribbling. He's a project

[The-Power]

Most of the attributes you described (NBA wing size, 'good feel for the game' 'good head on his shoulders') are all qualitative attributes.

As opposed to what other kind of attributes? I'm not sure what you mean here.

I don't really think he has a good feel for the game either. Whenever I watched him, he would get rid of the ball right away like a poor mans' Lonzo.

Even if you think he's a poor man's Lonzo, that doesn't mean he's not a FRP.

His size doesn't really impact the game either. Have you seen Arkansas play? When have you seen him make an impact? Not trying to hate but I don't see it. He reminds me of Dalen Terry with better dribbling. He's a project

Of course his size impacts the game. It helps him tremendously on defense and it's a big reason why he has an elite FTr.

And of course I've seen Arkansas play. Plenty, actually. And of course I've seen him make an impact. As has his coach. That's why Black played 35 MPG – the most of any player on his team, as a Freshman. Walsh played 24 MPG, Smith 26 MPG. It's obvious who the coach considered to be most impactful.

And once again, I don't understand how your last sentences matches with your earlier statement. A better Dalen Terry is easily a FRP. Dalen Terry himself was picked at #18. How is a younger Dalen Terry with better dribbling not in the lottery conversation?

edit: To be clear: I don't think he's like Dalen Terry myself (very different level of physicality and different style of defense, among others) but just went along with the comparison to point out that the ‘not a FRP’ comment isn't backed up by the comparisons you make.

[The-Power]

Agreed. And Giddey, Ben Simmons, Lamelo, Scottie Barnes and Dyson Daniels couldn't shoot it well prior to the NBA either.

One is not like the other. And all other players still have shooting concerns.

Amen isn'y a good shooter and is a consensus top 5 pick.

Amen has the same concerns about the shooting. Is he consensus top 5? Not for me. For NBA teams? We shall see.

Shooting is the easiest thing to improve once you get to the league.

Guys like horford, Book lopez and Muscala didn't even shoot from 3 in college and they're all 40% shooters from 3 in the league. Just a matter of putting in the work..

This is too simplistic, though. All the players you mentioned are entirely different cases. Pre-3pt-revolution, bigs with shooting touch, catch-and-shoot players. There aren't many players who show very few signs on being pull-up shooters entering the NBA and turn into reliable pull-up shooters in the NBA.

The idea that shooting is the easiest to improve gets thrown around a lot but it's misunderstood. First, you can improve shooting but everyone in the NBA can improve, too. So you're not necessarily closing a gap compared to your peers. Second, pull-up shooting off the dribble is just fundamentally different from open catch-and-shoot jumpers. The latter can be learned with a lot of repetition and confidence; the former is much harder to learn because it's an entirely different and much more demanding kind of shooting.

I have Black top 10 but the shooting concerns are valid.

[Hal14]

I think he's going to be out of the league within a few years. I don't understand the hype with him. He is so passive on offense. I don't know what he does well. I wouldn't draft him in the 1st round

Woah. It's one thing not to be high on him but not a FRP? That's borderline indefensible. One of the youngest players in the draft with NBA wing size, NBA athleticism, a good feel for the game, on-ball skills (ball handling, passing), strong defense, a good head on his shoulders and full trust from his college coach? That's an obvious lock in the first round. It's most likely a lock for the lottery, too. In any draft. In fact, arguably the only thing he does not do at an NBA level is shooting the ball.

Most of the attributes you described (NBA wing size, 'good feel for the game' 'good head on his shoulders') are all qualitative attributes. I don't really think he has a good feel for the game either.

Would love to hear you list off 5 players from this class with higher feel / higher IQ than Anthony Black. The only guys in the conversation are the Thompson twins, Scoot, and maybe cason. Beekman and Andre Jackson in there too but they're older. Next tier down you probably have Colby Jones, Hood-Schifino and maybe Wemby.

[Braggins]

This was the first year in a while I actually watched lots of full games of prospects during the season and I'm kind of surprised at how much draft discussion seems to be people talking completely out of their ass.

[SeattleJazzFan]

AB is a much better prospect than Giddey it's not even really close

ha. i didn't say anything about comparing them as prospects (though you're probably wrong there too as Giddey was taken 6th overall and black probably goes 8-12 - you can argue this draft is stronger, so maybe it's about even). but the point i was making that you responded to is - if you draft black and he becomes giddey, you are ecstatic. now, maybe you disagree with that as well and if so, well, lol.

[clyde21]

This was the first year in a while I actually watched lots of full games of prospects during the season and I'm kind of surprised at how much draft discussion seems to be people talking completely out of their ass.

by far the worst it's ever been on this board

[clyde21]

it's just funny that almost every fkn discussion is now just devolving into 'BuT CaN He SHoOT' nonsense. and what's even more comical is the same people are going to threads for guys that CAN clearly shoot and then saying 'BuT CaN ThEY Do ANyThiNG ElSE?'

and LOL at Black not being a 1st rounder. gtfo. don't come in here and BS with that nonsense unless you're ready to drop 30 names you're taking over Black.

[azcatz11]

it's just funny that almost every fkn discussion is now just devolving into 'BuT CaN He SHoOT' nonsense. and what's even more comical is the same people are going to threads for guys that CAN clearly shoot and then saying 'BuT CaN ThEY Do ANyThiNG ElSE?'

and LOL at Black not being a 1st rounder. gtfo. don't come in here and BS with that nonsense unless you're ready to drop 30 names you're taking over Black.

We will see my friend. I’ve been low on him all year from what I’ve seen…I don’t use stats either (eye test)

[clyde21]

it's just funny that almost every fkn discussion is now just devolving into 'BuT CaN He SHoOT' nonsense. and what's even more comical is the same people are going to threads for guys that CAN clearly shoot and then saying 'BuT CaN ThEY Do ANyThiNG ElSE?'

and LOL at Black not being a 1st rounder. gtfo. don't come in here and BS with that nonsense unless you're ready to drop 30 names you're taking over Black.

We will see my friend. I’ve been low on him all year from what I’ve seen…I don’t use stats either (eye test)

drop the 30 names you're taking over him

[Braggins]

Its easier to make a statistical based argument against AB than it is with the eye test imo. He has plenty of games where his stats are pretty meh, but he still absolutely kills the eye test and is clearly the most impactful player on the court for either team.

[Hal14]

it's just funny that almost every fkn discussion is now just devolving into 'BuT CaN He SHoOT' nonsense. and what's even more comical is the same people are going to threads for guys that CAN clearly shoot and then saying 'BuT CaN ThEY Do ANyThiNG ElSE?'

and LOL at Black not being a 1st rounder. gtfo. don't come in here and BS with that nonsense unless you're ready to drop 30 names you're taking over Black.

We will see my friend. I’ve been low on him all year from what I’ve seen…I don’t use stats either (eye test)

[azcatz11]

I never have claimed to be a scout on here. Just posting my opinion as a college basketball fan. I don't see with him. Is that such a crime?

[Hal14]

I never have claimed to be a scout on here. Just posting my opinion as a college basketball fan. I don't see with him. Is that such a crime?

Why waste your time voicing your opinion about NBA draft prospects (or any NBA player) if you're not even willing to take the 2 seconds and look up their stats on basketball reference or realgm?

No one is gonna take anything you say seriously if you literally refuse to look at any stats.

This is the realgm forum. None of us are professional scouts here. But I like to think that this place is for more serious fans - not casual ones who base all their opinions on simply "eye test".