Anthony Black gains momentum with Magic

If the Magic blows hot and cold in the heart of winter, between physical problems with some (Franz Wagner) and poor performances with others (Paolo Banchero), and is slowly holding on to the soft lower part of the “play-in” of the Eastern Conference, it owes especially to the very interesting progress of its young back, Anthony Black.

After improving to average more than 23 points in 8 games at the end of December, including 38 points and a pair of defensive plays against Jamal Murray to upset the Nuggets at home, the lone 21-year-old guard is increasingly becoming a leading contender in the race for the year’s best improvement.

More used in attack than Paolo Bunchero?!

In his third season in the big leagues, the guard has clearly gained depth, averaging nearly 16 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists and 11 outings of 20 or more points this season, a far cry from his nine in the first two campaigns. Having become a force in the Big Five, it even establishes itself at the top of the hierarchy.

The very astute John Hollinger didn’t fail to note that Anthony Black was even ahead of Paolo Bunchero in the Magic’s offensive hierarchy, with a usage rate (25.5%) higher than the franchise player’s (25.3%) during the month of December just passed. The difference is minimal, but the observation is powerful!

“There’s always a certain level of aggression in his game. There’s confidence. There’s grit. You’ve seen his action where he’s attacking the rim and finishing with a dunk over the defense.” loved Jamal Mosley after a win against Philly in late November. “That ability to increase speed and attack the paint is very important for him, and then he has to shoot with confidence. His defensive qualities and his speed to play the fast game are separate, and we need him for that.”

More efficient and demanding in attack

Known above all for his qualities as a defender on the opposing ball carrier, which saved him minutes to start his career, Anthony Black also has the fact that his success percentage is on the rise compared to last season. And this, on a larger amount of recordings!

More efficient and greedy, Anthony Black likes to rub shoulders with opposing interiors. During his December streak, he had more than five shots per game in the paint, which is quite a feat for an outfielder.

Whether it’s his athleticism to scalp them up top or make them jump on his feints to find the basket plus the foul, all in the basics, the former Arkansas tight end isn’t shy and seems to take the measure of the Big League.

“I’ve always played like that. I’ve been a physical defender since I was little”, he said already in Vegas in the 2024 summer league, on the cusp of his second NBA season. “There’s no reason to change it now that I’m at the highest level. But I’ve definitely worked on this aspect of my game (to succeed).”

A feared defender who faces the best opponent on the outside every matchup (or almost), Anthony Black therefore continues to add increasingly important value offensively, both in creation and finishing.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.