The Anthony Black dunk tank

[Idiosyncratic]

I think people can get over caught up in wanting to build like the current finals teams, but the one thing the Pacers and Thunder really have in common is how well they pressure the ball. Dort, Caruso, Wallace, Nesmith, Nembhard, McConnell are some of the biggest pests out there at making things uncomfortable for ball-handlers. They just wear you down all game and make it hard to get into your sets. Shai and Haliburton are low turnover guys typically, both racking up a decent amount of turnovers in this series.

That alone makes me excited about AB. He has shown he can stick on an opposing teams best guard and make life tough on them. I mean maybe that isn't #6 pick value in the end, but that is a very useful playoff player at minimum. And I happen to think the playmaking and driving to the basket flashes are extremely noteworthy as well.

[RichCollab]

I have AB top 5 on our team. Behind the other 4 lead dawgs. It’s potential that still needs to be realized.

[Skybox]

I have AB top 5 on our team. Behind the other 4 lead dawgs. It’s potential that still needs to be realized.

I think that's reasonable, if disappointing, for our roster.

Thinking the same way (based on potential/high points)...I'd say Isaac and AB are in that spot because they have very real possibilities to be game-changers in their own respective ways...they just don't do it routinely enough (yet?)

[eyriq]

I have AB top 5 on our team. Behind the other 4 lead dawgs. It’s potential that still needs to be realized.

I think that's reasonable, if disappointing, for our roster.

Thinking the same way (based on potential/high points)...I'd say Isaac and AB are in that spot because they have very real possibilities to be game-changers in their own respective ways...they just don't do it routinely enough (yet?)

He was our fourth best player against the Celtics

[tiderulz]

That’s a bailout take and just lazy thinking. AB is the point guard right now, and his offseason work is all about developing point guard skills: advanced handle, decision-making in the pick and roll, finishing through contact, self-creation, vision in transition. That’s not hypothetical, it’s happening. He’s 21, going into year three, and the front office clearly sees him as a long-term on-ball player. This idea that he’s already failed because CoJo started a playoff game is unserious. Point guard is one of the slowest positions to develop in the league. You either acknowledge that or admit you’re not engaging with what’s actually happening.

my problem is, he hasnt shown those as natural abilities. With Suggs moving to PG full time last year and being a "combo guard", he also should have been working on those same items and he has not looked comfortable doing that. Black having to work on ALL that, tells me he was never really a good PG and the team seems to be forcing him into a role that he is not suited for. Maybe it eventually works, maybe it doesnt.

Expecting a 19-year-old to show polished PG skills from day one is just outdated. AB has the tools, and the front office is clearly investing in his development. Calling that “forced” ignores both the plan and the progress.

but you said he played PG at every level

he didnt even have to be completely polished, but going into year 3, playing full time PG looks like he is overwhelmed.

[Skybox]

I have AB top 5 on our team. Behind the other 4 lead dawgs. It’s potential that still needs to be realized.

I think that's reasonable, if disappointing, for our roster.

Thinking the same way (based on potential/high points)...I'd say Isaac and AB are in that spot because they have very real possibilities to be game-changers in their own respective ways...they just don't do it routinely enough (yet?)

He was our fourth best player against the Celtics

I don't think so and even if he was...that's kind of a "tallest midget" thing again. We didn't look good in that series, offensively, and his statline...

18 mpg, 8ppg, ZERO apg 15% from 3 is nothing to brag about
...great defender, I loved watching him bang with Pritchard, but he was (and has been) very incomplete.

I really think THIS is his season...one way or the other.

[Skybox]

I think that's reasonable, if disappointing, for our roster.

Thinking the same way (based on potential/high points)...I'd say Isaac and AB are in that spot because they have very real possibilities to be game-changers in their own respective ways...they just don't do it routinely enough (yet?)

He was our fourth best player against the Celtics

I don't think so and even if he was...that's kind of a "tallest midget" thing again. We didn't look good in that series, offensively, and his statline...

18 mpg, 8ppg, ZERO apg 15% from 3 is nothing to brag about
...great defender, I loved watching him bang with Pritchard, but he was (and has been) very incomplete.

I really think THIS is his season...one way or the other.

did I mention ZERO assists?

5 games, 18mins per game...that's kind of hard to do...even if you're not the PGOTF

[eyriq]

I think that's reasonable, if disappointing, for our roster.

Thinking the same way (based on potential/high points)...I'd say Isaac and AB are in that spot because they have very real possibilities to be game-changers in their own respective ways...they just don't do it routinely enough (yet?)

He was our fourth best player against the Celtics

I don't think so and even if he was...that's kind of a "tallest midget" thing again. We didn't look good in that series, offensively, and his statline...

18 mpg, 8ppg, ZERO apg 15% from 3 is nothing to brag about
...great defender, I loved watching him bang with Pritchard, but he was (and has been) very incomplete.

I really think THIS is his season...one way or the other.

Top 3 in sweater vest points

[RichCollab]

He was our fourth best player against the Celtics

I don't think so and even if he was...that's kind of a "tallest midget" thing again. We didn't look good in that series, offensively, and his statline...

18 mpg, 8ppg, ZERO apg 15% from 3 is nothing to brag about
...great defender, I loved watching him bang with Pritchard, but he was (and has been) very incomplete.

I really think THIS is his season...one way or the other.

did I mention ZERO assists?

5 games, 18mins per game...that's kind of hard to do...even if you're not the PGOTF

Sounds like a solid PG.

[Skybox]

I don't think so and even if he was...that's kind of a "tallest midget" thing again. We didn't look good in that series, offensively, and his statline...

18 mpg, 8ppg, ZERO apg 15% from 3 is nothing to brag about
...great defender, I loved watching him bang with Pritchard, but he was (and has been) very incomplete.

I really think THIS is his season...one way or the other.

did I mention ZERO assists?

5 games, 18mins per game...that's kind of hard to do...even if you're not the PGOTF

Sounds like a solid PG.

goga played 3.8mpg in only 3 games and had more assists...I stopped my research there

[VFX]

Thabo Sefolosha is my favorite point guard historically.

[RichCollab]

Tyus could be the best thing that ever happens for AB. He is slated to get a ton of minutes this year.

[p0peye]

I think AB ceiling might be Aaron Gordon in Nuggets uniform, if he ever manages to get his shooting to somewhat respectable degree to keep his defender from ignoring him completely on perimeter.

I am not sure he can have a productive NBA career if he remains defensive specialist wing with no shooting, in today's game that can be a death sentance to teams offense as they will never be able to consistently get opponents defense in rotation.

[Orlando Dawg]

Anthony Bowie is still the best Magic AB

[JF5]

Stop pretending it's complicated. He’s played point guard at every level, was drafted as a point guard, and is developing point guard skills right now. If you can’t even answer what position he plays after two seasons while the team clears space for him to grow on-ball then your opinion isn’t grounded in anything but noise. Whether you “support” him or not doesn’t mean much if you’re ignoring reality.

he played SF in high school and didnt move to PG until his senior year. in USA basketball as a high schooler, he was listed as a wing. and to your point, we really cant answer what position he plays. that going into year 3 he is still developing basic PG skills says a lot

He ran point full-time at Arkansas, was drafted as a point guard, and is being developed as one now. The fact that he’s still learning isn’t some red flag. Point guard is the hardest role to grow into, and he’s only 21. The front office sees the trajectory and they’re backing it.

Quick question... Can you give me a player in the last 20 years who didn't look like a functional PG in any point of his career/life actually turn into a PG years later in the NBA?

Because looking at AB he's NEVER looked like a PG to me at any point.

Those types of players become secondary ball handlers at best.

[eyriq]

he played SF in high school and didnt move to PG until his senior year. in USA basketball as a high schooler, he was listed as a wing. and to your point, we really cant answer what position he plays. that going into year 3 he is still developing basic PG skills says a lot

He ran point full-time at Arkansas, was drafted as a point guard, and is being developed as one now. The fact that he’s still learning isn’t some red flag. Point guard is the hardest role to grow into, and he’s only 21. The front office sees the trajectory and they’re backing it.

Quick question... Can you give me a player in the last 20 years who didn't look like a functional PG in any point of his career/life actually turn into a PG years later in the NBA?

Because looking at AB he's NEVER looked like a PG to me at any point.

Jrue Holiday, Kyle Lowry, Shaun Livingston.

AB played point at Arkansas, was drafted as a point guard, and is being developed as one now. He’s not finished, but the foundation is clear. If you’ve never seen it, that says more about what you're expecting than what he's doing.

[Idiosyncratic]

When the team was healthy at the beginning of the season and Mosley let AB run point off the bench he averaged over 4 assists a game in 20 minutes off the bench the 1st two months. Had some really strong +/- games too. That was before things started going south for us with injuries and then Mose moved him off ball in favor of Cole to try to inject scoring into the team.

I remember him having some really special passes and being very excited about him at that time. I'm not saying he is a guaranteed PG, but people should rewatch some of those games if you want to see tape that supports it. I know it feels like an eternity ago so we maybe forget, but he really was flashing some very nice playmaking.

[RookieStar]

Stop pretending it's complicated. He’s played point guard at every level, was drafted as a point guard, and is developing point guard skills right now. If you can’t even answer what position he plays after two seasons while the team clears space for him to grow on-ball then your opinion isn’t grounded in anything but noise. Whether you “support” him or not doesn’t mean much if you’re ignoring reality.

he played SF in high school and didnt move to PG until his senior year. in USA basketball as a high schooler, he was listed as a wing. and to your point, we really cant answer what position he plays. that going into year 3 he is still developing basic PG skills says a lot

He ran point full-time at Arkansas, was drafted as a point guard, and is being developed as one now. The fact that he’s still learning isn’t some red flag. Point guard is the hardest role to grow into, and he’s only 21. The front office sees the trajectory and they’re backing it.

I support your AB stan. Brings to mind the Diener fan club days...

However, lets not be revisionist. I though Nick Smith Jr was the PG in Arkansas and it was due to injuries that forced AB into that role?

[tiderulz]

He ran point full-time at Arkansas, was drafted as a point guard, and is being developed as one now. The fact that he’s still learning isn’t some red flag. Point guard is the hardest role to grow into, and he’s only 21. The front office sees the trajectory and they’re backing it.

Quick question... Can you give me a player in the last 20 years who didn't look like a functional PG in any point of his career/life actually turn into a PG years later in the NBA?

Because looking at AB he's NEVER looked like a PG to me at any point.

Jrue Holiday, Kyle Lowry, Shaun Livingston.

AB played point at Arkansas, was drafted as a point guard, and is being developed as one now. He’s not finished, but the foundation is clear. If you’ve never seen it, that says more about what you're expecting than what he's doing.

Livingston and Lowry played PG in college and both looked legit as PG's right away.

[basketballRob]

Quick question... Can you give me a player in the last 20 years who didn't look like a functional PG in any point of his career/life actually turn into a PG years later in the NBA?

Because looking at AB he's NEVER looked like a PG to me at any point.

Jrue Holiday, Kyle Lowry, Shaun Livingston.

AB played point at Arkansas, was drafted as a point guard, and is being developed as one now. He’s not finished, but the foundation is clear. If you’ve never seen it, that says more about what you're expecting than what he's doing.

Livingston and Lowry played PG in college and both looked legit as PG's right away.

https://stathead.com/basketball/versus-finder.cgi?request=1&seasons_type=perchoice&player_id1=lowryky01&p1yrfrom=2008&p1yrto=2008&player_id2=blackan01&p2yrfrom=2025&p2yrto=2025

https://stathead.com/basketball/versus-finder.cgi?request=1&seasons_type=perchoice&player_id1=livinsh01&p1yrfrom=2007&p1yrto=2007&player_id2=blackan01&p2yrfrom=2025&p2yrto=2025

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