Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black is having a breakout season in his third year, and he is garnering attention from around the basketball world.
The biggest bright spot for the Orlando Magic this season has not been Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner or even newcomer Desmond Bane; it has been Anthony Black.
Black has taken a massive year three leap through 35 appearances this season. He is averaging career highs in points per game (15.5), rebounds (4.1) and assists (3.6). Now, he is getting the attention of the national media.
Recently, Fred Katz of The Athletic broke down Black’s ascension.
“If the last two weeks are indicative of what’s to come, Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black could snatch a Most Improved Player trophy,” Katz wrote. “Black is on a tear, averaging an efficient 23.4 points in eight games since Dec. 18. He’s now a consistent starter, an ultra-physical, 6-foot-7 guard inside the Magic’s ferocious first unit.”
“On Saturday, he went for 38 points during an upset of the Denver Nuggets. He capped off the evening with an impressive defensive stop, poking the ball away from Jamal Murray, then sticking with the All-Star hopeful to force an uncomfortable, errant fadeaway as the buzzer sounded, sealing a one-point victory.”
In Black’s last 10 games, he has shot at least 50 percent from the field in five of them, including a game against Golden State where he shot 66.7 percent. In the win against Denver, he shot 58.3 percent and lit up the perimeter, going 7-for-11 from long range.
“But we already knew Black could disrupt enemy ballhandlers. It’s his offense that signals a shift in Orlando. Black is bubbling with versatility. Once a suspect shooter, he has started draining 3s.”
“He sliced up the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday with clever off-ball cuts. When he receives the basketball around the hoop, he’s always been a confident finisher, though that’s mostly because of his athleticism. Now, he’s showing off explosiveness in more ways than just jumping high or running fast.”
Katz especially praised Black’s ability to penetrate the defense and get to the rim.
“Black’s layup package has grown. He’ll still race past a defender and rocket into a rim-protector for an aggressive layup or dunk. He’ll throw down alley-oops. But his vibe of late is reminiscent of that scene in ‘Bull Durham’ when Nuke LaLoosh, a fireball pitcher, learns to “breathe through your eyes.” A 98 mph fastball isn’t nearly as daunting without a changeup to go with it.”
“An athlete who can play with timing is a chore to guard. And this isn’t the only way Black does it.”
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