Obi Toppin to the Knicks @ #8

[NYKAL]

have to assume Randle is out

no way Obi Randle Mitch Knox Portis can coexist

Assuming Knox + Randle on their way out

and Frank + DSJR on the block as well

Praying for a hit, Obi reminds me of a homeless mans Amare

Watch on YouTube

nice fast release, I see some potential... ofc as a Knicks fan gotta temper expectations.

But why a homeless mans amare though?

Because we're Knicks fans?

jk, mostly age and doesn't seem to have the same upside as a young Amare

he looks athletic but all these clips are versus crap defenses and little kids[/quote]

so were Amare's pre-draft and the gap was even bigger for him.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

He's not a stretch 4, and he should not be "spacing the floor for Mitch" we took him 8th and were willing to trade up to get him, they are viewing him as an offensive option. If anything look at how John Collins is used, that is essentially what we should be hoping for from Toppin. The kid is an inside-out threat, relegating him to being a stretch 4 is a waste of a pick.

[Deeeez Knicks]

There is def some questions on how RJ, Mitch, and Obi will fit. Below is Obi's shot chart. His strength is without a doubt scoring at the rim. We all know that's where Mitch lives, and it is RJ's strength as well. Have to hope they can improve their outside game. It just looks like a clunky fit though and we had a preview with Randle....especially since all of them desperately need a PG too

non-postups:



Postups:

He had 7 post ups outside the paint all year

If you need any more evidence of how unlike Randle he is then there it is. Not to mention the outside shooting.

His offense is basically deep in the paint or stretching the floor. So refreshing and very unlike Randle

I would actually prefer if he had a mid range game. Maybe he can develop that. He probably will need too if he wants to be an offensive focal point. It will be much tougher for Obi to get that type of positioning in the NBA especially with this roster.

[Gravy]

I dont see how getting a young Amare or Blake Griffin is a bad thing. We going to be that picky with talent when we barely have any? Those guys weren't Lebron but they raised the level of their teams and helped make them relevant. Its better than getting more mediocre role players to act as place holders until a superstar comes out of nowhere to save us.

[GONYK]

There is def some questions on how RJ, Mitch, and Obi will fit. Below is Obi's shot chart. His strength is without a doubt scoring at the rim. We all know that's where Mitch lives, and it is RJ's strength as well. Have to hope they can improve their outside game. It just looks like a clunky fit though and we had a preview with Randle....especially since all of them desperately need a PG too

non-postups:



Postups:

He had 7 post ups outside the paint all year

If you need any more evidence of how unlike Randle he is then there it is. Not to mention the outside shooting.

His offense is basically deep in the paint or stretching the floor. So refreshing and very unlike Randle

I would actually prefer if he had a mid range game. Maybe he can develop that. He probably will need too if he wants to be an offensive focal point. It will be much tougher for Obi to get that type of positioning in the NBA especially with this roster.

I don't think the offense he played in last year was designed for him to operate in the midrange.

They basically constructed their entire lineup and gameplan around keeping the interior open for him and only him.

[GONYK]

I dont see how getting a young Amare or Blake Griffin is a bad thing. We going to be that picky with talent when we barely have any? Those guys weren't Lebron but they raised the level of their teams and helped make them relevant. Its better than getting more mediocre role players to act as place holders until a superstar comes out of nowhere to save us.

Not the best word to describe Toppin

[HEZI]

There is def some questions on how RJ, Mitch, and Obi will fit. Below is Obi's shot chart. His strength is without a doubt scoring at the rim. We all know that's where Mitch lives, and it is RJ's strength as well. Have to hope they can improve their outside game. It just looks like a clunky fit though and we had a preview with Randle....especially since all of them desperately need a PG too

non-postups:



Postups:

He had 7 post ups outside the paint all year

If you need any more evidence of how unlike Randle he is then there it is. Not to mention the outside shooting.

His offense is basically deep in the paint or stretching the floor. So refreshing and very unlike Randle

I would actually prefer if he had a mid range game. Maybe he can develop that. He probably will need too if he wants to be an offensive focal point. It will be much tougher for Obi to get that type of positioning in the NBA especially with this roster.

He has a mid range game, a faceup mid range game not a back to the basket mid range game.

[SelbyCobra]

Set up his own shot with the handle, shot a three, and then turned to their bench before it went in.

Just in case you want to see it a little more zoomed in - this is no accident. This kid is cold as f*ck out there.

Watch on YouTube

[SelbyCobra]

I dont see how getting a young Amare or Blake Griffin is a bad thing. We going to be that picky with talent when we barely have any? Those guys weren't Lebron but they raised the level of their teams and helped make them relevant. Its better than getting more mediocre role players to act as place holders until a superstar comes out of nowhere to save us.

Not the best word to describe Toppin

Amar'e was a baby obviously, but for the sake of accuracy, Blake was just a year younger when he made his NBA debut. Both Toppin and Griffin are born in early March, Blake debuted at 21, and Toppin will at 22.

[Deeeez Knicks]

He had 7 post ups outside the paint all year

If you need any more evidence of how unlike Randle he is then there it is. Not to mention the outside shooting.

His offense is basically deep in the paint or stretching the floor. So refreshing and very unlike Randle

I would actually prefer if he had a mid range game. Maybe he can develop that. He probably will need too if he wants to be an offensive focal point. It will be much tougher for Obi to get that type of positioning in the NBA especially with this roster.

I don't think the offense he played in last year was designed for him to operate in the midrange.

They basically constructed their entire lineup and gameplan around keeping the interior open for him and only him.

Yea, and i guess that was the original point and i know you have brought it up as well. To maximize Obi we may need to construct something similar. Knicks have a lot of work to do still.

[Gravy]

I dont see how getting a young Amare or Blake Griffin is a bad thing. We going to be that picky with talent when we barely have any? Those guys weren't Lebron but they raised the level of their teams and helped make them relevant. Its better than getting more mediocre role players to act as place holders until a superstar comes out of nowhere to save us.

Not the best word to describe Toppin

If Mitch and Frank are still kids at 22 with unlimited potential then so is Toppin

[Synciere]

have to assume Randle is out

no way Obi Randle Mitch Knox Portis can coexist

Assuming Knox + Randle on their way out

and Frank + DSJR on the block as well

Praying for a hit, Obi reminds me of a homeless mans Amare

Watch on YouTube

I’ve seen a few people include Portis or Elfrid or Taj in their lineups/discussions. Did we pick up their options?

nice fast release, I see some potential... ofc as a Knicks fan gotta temper expectations.

[Dantares]

He's not a stretch 4, and he should not be "spacing the floor for Mitch" we took him 8th and were willing to trade up to get him, they are viewing him as an offensive option. If anything look at how John Collins is used, that is essentially what we should be hoping for from Toppin. The kid is an inside-out threat, relegating him to being a stretch 4 is a waste of a pick.

interesting take. but what exactly do you think Obi is going to be able to do inside? If mitch is the guy that sets the high pick for the PG then Obi needs to get out of the paint so Mitch and the PG can run pick and roll. Obi is not going to be able to post up against stonger NBA players like he did in college, he is listed at 220 pounds and he is not going to get much bigger since he is already 22 yrs old. Obi doesnt' have any face up game and he doesnt shoot the midrange shot at all. which is an important shot needed to become a shot creator.

Collins is the guys that runs pick and roll and shoots. That's not going to be Obi's role here if he starts with Mitch. Thibs said in the modern NBA you need 4 out on the perimeter and 1 inside. Since RJ and Mitch can't shoot well that means Obi is going to have to play more on the perimeter than he did in college.

[3toheadmelo]

At least he knows he’s gonna be exposed if he continues to suck on defense

Toppin is eager to rewrite the narrative.

“I’m in the weight room every Monday, Wednesday and Friday working on my body," Toppin said during a Zoom interview with media members on Wednesday afternoon. "I’ve been working on that a lot and I feel I’m going to prove a lot of people who feel I can’t play defense, I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong.”

Toppin said a number of NBA guys have been frequenting the same New Jersey gym over the last few months. Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks young swingman Kevin Knox and power forward Terrence Jones are just a few. There are also some NBA draft prospects that drop by as well.

“Having those different styles of play and playing against those guys has been helping me a lot, especially on defense. Having to play some bigs, having to play some guards. Guarding a lot of the guards helped me a lot with how fast they are and how shifty they are. Have to keep up. If not, I will be exposed.”

[GONYK]

At least he knows he’s gonna be exposed if he continues to suck on defense

Toppin is eager to rewrite the narrative.

“I’m in the weight room every Monday, Wednesday and Friday working on my body," Toppin said during a Zoom interview with media members on Wednesday afternoon. "I’ve been working on that a lot and I feel I’m going to prove a lot of people who feel I can’t play defense, I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong.”

Toppin said a number of NBA guys have been frequenting the same New Jersey gym over the last few months. Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks young swingman Kevin Knox and power forward Terrence Jones are just a few. There are also some NBA draft prospects that drop by as well.

“Having those different styles of play and playing against those guys has been helping me a lot, especially on defense. Having to play some bigs, having to play some guards. Guarding a lot of the guards helped me a lot with how fast they are and how shifty they are. Have to keep up. If not, I will be exposed.”

If Knox is the one exposing him now, it may be worse than we thought

[3toheadmelo]

At least he knows he’s gonna be exposed if he continues to suck on defense

Toppin is eager to rewrite the narrative.

“I’m in the weight room every Monday, Wednesday and Friday working on my body," Toppin said during a Zoom interview with media members on Wednesday afternoon. "I’ve been working on that a lot and I feel I’m going to prove a lot of people who feel I can’t play defense, I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong.”

Toppin said a number of NBA guys have been frequenting the same New Jersey gym over the last few months. Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks young swingman Kevin Knox and power forward Terrence Jones are just a few. There are also some NBA draft prospects that drop by as well.

“Having those different styles of play and playing against those guys has been helping me a lot, especially on defense. Having to play some bigs, having to play some guards. Guarding a lot of the guards helped me a lot with how fast they are and how shifty they are. Have to keep up. If not, I will be exposed.”

If Knox is the one exposing him now, it may be worse than we thought

Lol he was talking about keeping up with guards. But yeah if Knox is actually killing him then he might just be the worst defender in the league

[DOT]

At least he knows he’s gonna be exposed if he continues to suck on defense

Toppin is eager to rewrite the narrative.

“I’m in the weight room every Monday, Wednesday and Friday working on my body," Toppin said during a Zoom interview with media members on Wednesday afternoon. "I’ve been working on that a lot and I feel I’m going to prove a lot of people who feel I can’t play defense, I’m going to prove a lot of people wrong.”

Toppin said a number of NBA guys have been frequenting the same New Jersey gym over the last few months. Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks young swingman Kevin Knox and power forward Terrence Jones are just a few. There are also some NBA draft prospects that drop by as well.

“Having those different styles of play and playing against those guys has been helping me a lot, especially on defense. Having to play some bigs, having to play some guards. Guarding a lot of the guards helped me a lot with how fast they are and how shifty they are. Have to keep up. If not, I will be exposed.”

If Knox is the one exposing him now, it may be worse than we thought

oh no

[whocares1]

I dont see how getting a young Amare or Blake Griffin is a bad thing. We going to be that picky with talent when we barely have any? Those guys weren't Lebron but they raised the level of their teams and helped make them relevant. Its better than getting more mediocre role players to act as place holders until a superstar comes out of nowhere to save us.

I wouldn’t say he’s either of those guys. Both are more explosive and athletic, and Griffin is a better playmaker. I see Obi as a high volume scoring 4 man. Maybe a 20-10 guy but I’m not sure he’s a guy you build around.

[NYKnickerbocker]

Oh god forgot about that taking advice from Knox bit. Jesus

[blueNorange]

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Even for Tommy Beer, this is a hack stat take

Toppin and Okoro aren't in the same stratosphere defensively nor are those stats indicative of actual defense.

i haven't seen obi play much but i'm willing to bet a lot of his steals are him gambling on passes -- he probably gets burned a lot.

i'm pretty sure thibs is going to tell obi to stop going for steals and just stay on his guy.