Rookies Gradey Dick and Anthony Black sparked a wave of amusement and raised eyebrows with their jersey swap following a matchup between the Orlando Magic and the Toronto Raptors.
Gradey Dick-Anthony Black jersey swap raises eyebrows https://t.co/JGmyzZBwCz pic.twitter.com/mjgzg5yH7g
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 18, 2024
The game ended with a decisive 111-96 victory for the Orlando Magic, during which both Dick and Black made appearances on the court.
Gradey Dick, representing the Toronto Raptors, contributed ten points and an assist in 27 minutes of gameplay, while Anthony Black of the Orlando Magic managed to secure two points in just three minutes of action.
However, it was what occurred after the final buzzer that caught the attention of fans and broadcasters alike.
Meeting at midcourt for the customary jersey exchange, Dick and Black unwittingly created a juxtaposition that couldn"t go unnoticed, particularly by viewers of Bally Sports Florida.
The juxtaposition of their last names on the swapped jerseys elicited reactions ranging from amusement to disbelief.
While the gesture of swapping jerseys is a common display of sportsmanship among athletes, the unintentional wordplay on their surnames added an unexpected layer of humor to the exchange.
The question on many observers" minds was whether Dick and Black were aware of the potential comedic effect of their jersey swap.
They knew… pic.twitter.com/i2fgiRl8oQ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 18, 2024
Given the undeniable implications of Dick"s last name when paired with Black"s, some speculated whether the rookies had deliberately orchestrated the moment for fun.
Reflecting on the incident, it"s evident that Dick"s surname has previously elicited similar reactions. Earlier in the season, New Orleans Pelicans analyst Antonio Daniels found himself unable to contain his laughter upon realizing the amusing connotations of Gradey Dick"s name.
