Nikola Topic

[lambchop]

Partial tear is just a sprain, right? Based on his current condition it sounds like it would be a mid grade sprain at least, but is that necessarily that big of a deal?

It's not a sprain, because the injury doesn't heal by itself.

First definition I found for "knee sprain" on google.

"Knee sprains are injuries that happen when ligaments in your knee joint stretch too far or tear."

"There are four knee ligaments in your knee joint, including your:

- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) along the inside edge.
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) along the outside edge.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the front of your knee.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) at the back of your knee."

"- Grade 1 sprain (mild): Very little or no tearing in your ligaments.
- Grade 2 sprain (moderate): Your ligaments are partially torn, but not all the way through.
- Grade 3 sprain (severe): Your ligaments are completely torn. Grade 3 sprains are usually called ligament tears."

edit: apparently he is getting surgery, so not sure about the grade

Of course, the definition is correct, but it's still nonsensical to call a tear a grade 3 "sprain". It's as if someone said KD severely sprained his achilles years back. Anyway, thanks for those definitions.

Good to see him getting the surgery done now. It means he should be ready for the 2025-2026 season.

[Braggins]

Spoiler:

It's not a sprain, because the injury doesn't heal by itself.

First definition I found for "knee sprain" on google.

"Knee sprains are injuries that happen when ligaments in your knee joint stretch too far or tear."

"There are four knee ligaments in your knee joint, including your:

- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) along the inside edge.
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) along the outside edge.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the front of your knee.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) at the back of your knee."

"- Grade 1 sprain (mild): Very little or no tearing in your ligaments.
- Grade 2 sprain (moderate): Your ligaments are partially torn, but not all the way through.
- Grade 3 sprain (severe): Your ligaments are completely torn. Grade 3 sprains are usually called ligament tears."

edit: apparently he is getting surgery, so not sure about the grade

Of course, the definition is correct, but it's still nonsensical to call a tear a grade 3 "sprain". It's as if someone said KD severely sprained his achilles years back. Anyway, thanks for those definitions.

Good to see him getting the surgery done now. It means he should be ready for the 2025-2026 season.

The difference is that KD definitely fully tore his achilles and this ACL injury for Topic is reported as a partial tear, so its not clear if its a grade 3 and still seems more likely to be grade 2. I think grade 2 is still generally referred to as a sprain and isn't necessarily that serious.

[OriAr]

It's not a sprain, because the injury doesn't heal by itself.

First definition I found for "knee sprain" on google.

"Knee sprains are injuries that happen when ligaments in your knee joint stretch too far or tear."

"There are four knee ligaments in your knee joint, including your:

- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) along the inside edge.
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) along the outside edge.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the front of your knee.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) at the back of your knee."

"- Grade 1 sprain (mild): Very little or no tearing in your ligaments.
- Grade 2 sprain (moderate): Your ligaments are partially torn, but not all the way through.
- Grade 3 sprain (severe): Your ligaments are completely torn. Grade 3 sprains are usually called ligament tears."

edit: apparently he is getting surgery, so not sure about the grade

Of course, the definition is correct, but it's still nonsensical to call a tear a grade 3 "sprain". It's as if someone said KD severely sprained his achilles years back. Anyway, thanks for those definitions.

Good to see him getting the surgery done now. It means he should be ready for the 2025-2026 season.

If he's getting the surgery now he should be back by the ASB, from there it's a question of whether the team wants to redshirt him or let him play in the remaining 30 games by then.

[dolphinatik]

most teams would have him out the whole year and work with him internally. He is not playing this year

[Catchall]

I'd love if he slips to the Jazz, it would be a good development environment for him. Do hate that he is injured, though.

To draft Topic, a team needs to be in the market for a lead guard AND be willing to redshirt him for a season. I don't think many teams in the top 10 are going to be game for it unless the Spurs want to use their second pick (8) on him.

[babyjax13]

I'd love if he slips to the Jazz, it would be a good development environment for him. Do hate that he is injured, though.

To draft Topic, a team needs to be in the market for a lead guard AND be willing to redshirt him for a season. I don't think many teams in the top 10 are going to be game for it unless the Spurs want to use their second pick (8) on him.

I think the Rockets, Spurs, & Jazz could all make that decision. Especially if Houston is trying to move down it could make some sense.

[BigGargamel]

I dont think he lasts past the Jazz at 10. Danny Ainge would love the opportunity to spend a top 10 pick and not get better.

[JMAC3]

Should Chet have dropped in his draft if we knew he was going to miss his whole rookie season?

[SelfishPlayer]

I'd love if he slips to the Jazz, it would be a good development environment for him. Do hate that he is injured, though.

To draft Topic, a team needs to be in the market for a lead guard AND be willing to redshirt him for a season. I don't think many teams in the top 10 are going to be game for it unless the Spurs want to use their second pick (8) on him.

The clock is ticking for the Spurs. Wemby will not allow very many wasted years early in his career. He could eventually force his way out like Kawhi or just walk like Lebron. The Spurs have to get it right.

[bucknut]

His shooting and the fact that so much of his height is neck and not actual functional height, is worrisome.

was just coming in to say this as im starting to watch the guy

listed at 6-6 but he's functionally really 6-4 b/c of the long neck, shooting numbers don't look too great, on the surface don't see what separates him from say Josh Giddey but shorter...but i obviously need to watch more

His neck is an asset imo. Gives him great center of gravity and balance orchestrating the ball. so far I'm seeing Goran dragic mixed with giddey.

[Mickey8]

Did Steve Nash have "functional" height when he was drafted ??? There is nothing wrong with Topic height.

[bucknut]

I'm not sure Topic will be driving by guys at the NBA level nor finishing at the rim like you see mostly in his highlights. His only hope is to run the PnR and work off that. He'll need a very good three point shot and FT line jumper or floater when he can't drive. I do think he's capable of developing that and with his aggressiveness and passing ability he should get to the FT line plenty and rack up the assists. His shot and defense will define his career. Running the PnR with Wembanyam would be fun to see.

Yes just how explosive is he. Dragic was imo faster and more explosive. And had dog in him. Does topic have dog ?

Dragic had some nice pump fake counters inside too that I haven't seen from topic. Topic is all straight like drive...and he doesn't look faster going to the rim then reed shepherd

[Mickey8]

Dragic wasn't faster with the ball in his hands than Topic. Topic is the much quicker player. And Topic is the way better and more creative passer than Dragic ever was. Topic is actually point guard not the combo guard.

[clyde21]

His shooting and the fact that so much of his height is neck and not actual functional height, is worrisome.

was just coming in to say this as im starting to watch the guy

listed at 6-6 but he's functionally really 6-4 b/c of the long neck, shooting numbers don't look too great, on the surface don't see what separates him from say Josh Giddey but shorter...but i obviously need to watch more

His neck is an asset imo. Gives him great center of gravity and balance orchestrating the ball. so far I'm seeing Goran dragic mixed with giddey.

not saying it's an asset or a liability, just that because his neck is so long, his listed height is not as functional. he gets two inches just from his neck. this is just a fact.

[Mickey8]

You are talking nonsense with your "functional" height theory.

[bucknut]

Dragic wasn't faster with the ball in his hands than Topic. Topic is the much quicker player. And Topic is the way better and more creative passer than Dragic ever was. Topic is actually point guard not the combo guard.

A dragic mixed with josh giddy is an all star caliber player and scary to think about. But his finishing better be able to translate or he's not even half the player....he's not an above the rim player and his last step isn't through the rim. Competition concerns...but I think he is growing on me. I'm leaning towards his finishing being able to translate. More film more I see it. He has long strides while still being low.

What 6 foot 6 player has the low center of gravity of a 6 foot 1 player with that level of ball handling and freedom of movement ? I would say never seen before in history of nba

He just looks smooth man. Him and giddy have that smooth look with the ball it's hard to describe.

In a 5 out mike dantinio offense that just pick and rolls you to death he feels like a perfect fit. Huge upside on this kid. And that being said i can't find film of his defense ? So damn it must be bad. He would have the ball in his hands and entire offense would be designed around him aka Steve Nash or harden

[bucknut]

Point guards with height of topic ....magic Johnson Lonzo ball josh giddy.......none could get in and out of their breaks and seamless transition through the pick and roll to the rim in as fast a motion as topic

Free flowing offense creator with ability to punish you on the drive

[clyde21]

You are talking nonsense with your "functional" height theory.

lol its a fact, he has the shoulder level of a guy that's 6-4, not 6-6, because two inches of that height is in the neck. this is not a theory it's facts.

[pad300]

You are talking nonsense with your "functional" height theory.

lol its a fact, he has the shoulder level of a guy that's 6-4, not 6-6, because two inches of that height is in the neck. this is not a theory it's facts.

Yes, you don't play basketball with the top of your head, rather you play it with your hands that are attached to your shoulders, fine.

However, I'm not so sure about how your functional height idea applies to PG's. PG's are typically the shortest players on the floor anyways; they don't block a ton of shots. The thing PG's really gain from height is that they find it easier to see over/past other players and can thus see more of the floor. At which point, a long neck gives them just about everything that normal height would give them...

[clyde21]

You are talking nonsense with your "functional" height theory.

lol its a fact, he has the shoulder level of a guy that's 6-4, not 6-6, because two inches of that height is in the neck. this is not a theory it's facts.

Yes, you don't play basketball with the top of your head, rather you play it with your hands that are attached to your shoulders, fine.

However, I'm not so sure about how your functional height idea applies to PG's. PG's are typically the shortest players on the floor anyways; they don't block a ton of shots. The thing PG's really gain from height is that they find it easier to see over/past other players and can thus see more of the floor. At which point, a long neck gives them just about everything that normal height would give them...

i am not making a statement on his ability as a PG, I am just making a statement that he's not, functionally speaking on the basketball court, 6-6. do with that info what you will.