Houston should take Anthony Black #4 overall, here's why:

Anthony Black to Houston: Elevating the Rockets' Game with Dynamic Versatility

With the NBA Draft a little over a week away, Amen Thompson shouldn’t be penciled in already as the surefire #4 overall pick to Houston as he has been by various draft junkies. Anthony Black, hailing from Duncanville, Texas, and honing his skills under the guidance of Eric Musselman at the University of Arkansas, has emerged as a formidable contender to challenge Amen Thompson for the coveted #4 overall pick to the Houston Rockets in the upcoming NBA Draft.

As you scour NBA Draft Twitter, many drool over what Amen Thompson is and can be, and rightfully so. But with Black, you know what you’re getting. A passing savant that walks into the NBA as a top 30 passer in the league, in my eyes, Black’s fit on the Rockets reigns superior to Amen’s. Despite both being great passers, with Amen possessing unworldly athleticism, I’m banking on Anthony Black to become the better player due to his ability to step into a situation (in this case, Houston) and instantly make those around him better.

A comparison often thrown around in the realm of Black is Josh Giddey. A phenomenal young talent on the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder, who shares quite a few similarities with the aforementioned Black. Both display exceptional raw passing ability, whether it be live ball passes into their respective shooters’ shooting pockets or in the Pick & Roll. Shooting is what could potentially define the careers of these two similarly-bodied players. Black, a 30.1% 3-point shooter at Arkansas, has demonstrated the ability to stroke it while showing signs of a potential league-average jump shot due to his serviceable 70.5% conversion rate from the charity stripe. Returning our attention to Giddey, his ascension over prospects deemed more athletic, such as Jonathan Kuminga and James Bouknight, has proven to be a win for Thunder GM Sam Presti, albeit those two players mentioned there don’t stack up to Amen Thompson. But what you get in Giddey is a winner and player with plenty of upside, the same as what you’re getting in Black.

Draft Express - Anthony Black Pro Day Shooting

A quick note on Black’s potential: Watch out for his free throw attempts as he has shown glimpses of what he can do when getting downhill, putting his 6’7” frame on display, suggesting some untapped scoring upside. Something else to spotlight is his defense. Black is commonly found to be active in passing lanes and can often go unnoticed for his defensive versatility, as he has the ability to guard 1-3 at the next level. Versatile is the word I commonly find myself using to describe black, as that versatility extends to the offensive side of the ball whether you want to use him on-ball or off-ball.

The next order of business if you’re Rafael Stone, the Houston Rockets general manager, is to determine fit vs. best available. For me, when determining this, you absolutely must factor in what are the Houston Rockets’ plans for the 2023 offseason. Do you go after Jalen Brown? Do you reunite with James Harden should he turn down his player option? These are questions that Stone and his team must answer before making a concrete decision on what they plan to do with their #4 overall pick that they hold come June 22. Better yet, what if they decide to trade down if they find a trade partner?!

With all that being said, the notion of Amen Thompson being the automatic #4 overall pick for the Houston Rockets should be questioned as the NBA Draft approaches. Anthony Black’s impressive passing skills and experience gained under Eric Musselman at the University of Arkansas have emerged as a strong contender. Despite Thompson’s undeniable athleticism, Black’s ability to step into the Rockets’ lineup and elevate the play of those around him makes him a compelling choice. Drawing comparisons to Josh Giddey, another promising young talent, Black’s potential lies in his passing, shooting, and untapped scoring abilities. The Rockets should also consider their plans for the upcoming offseason, weighing fit versus best available. With trade possibilities on the table, the team must carefully evaluate their options before finalizing their #4 overall pick. 

Ultimately, the Houston Rockets stand at a critical crossroads, facing a decision that will undeniably shape the team’s success in the long run. It is abundantly clear that Anthony Black should unquestionably be the chosen one over Amen Thompson. While Thompson may dazzle with his athleticism, Black brings a level of predictability and reliability that cannot be overlooked, so Rafael Stone will choose between winning (Black) and losing (Thompson).