Obi Toppin to the Knicks @ #8

[Clyde_Style]

Watch on YouTube

@ 1:20

“A lot of people don’t know the different things I have in my game because I didn’t have to do it at Dayton. I did what I had to do to help the team win and what the coach asked me to do”

I like the way he carries himself. I like the vibe he has along with RJ. Could be the beginnings of a NO BS Knicks team finally.

[God Squad]

I don't see "low" upside with Obi. Maybe because of his lack of defense or footspeed has people down. But him and Mitch should be able to fit like a glove with Obi spacing the floor. Grab a temporary guard for the year or just roll with who you have. Next year's guard prospects are FAR more appealing than this year's.

[NoLayupRule]

gotta love a kid who loves the team this much, who feels the passion for the city, and who shows such great emotion freely

im excited for the kid and really hope he works out here

[Garbagelo]

I don't see "low" upside with Obi. Maybe because of his lack of defense or footspeed has people down. But him and Mitch should be able to fit like a glove with Obi spacing the floor. Grab a temporary guard for the year or just roll with who you have. Next year's guard prospects are FAR more appealing than this year's.

The problem with Obi's "low" upside is that it takes the entire team's upside down with him.

We've already been there and done that with these type of players and we ended up running those guys out of town with glee.

I'm about 75% sure we just wasted a lotto pick.

I just hope the front office realizes this sooner rather than later and can still salvage things.

[blueNorange]

I don't see "low" upside with Obi. Maybe because of his lack of defense or footspeed has people down. But him and Mitch should be able to fit like a glove with Obi spacing the floor. Grab a temporary guard for the year or just roll with who you have. Next year's guard prospects are FAR more appealing than this year's.

The problem with Obi's "low" upside is that it takes the entire team's upside down with him.

We've already been there and done that with these type of players and we ended up running those guys out of town with glee.

I'm about 75% sure we just wasted a lotto pick.

I just hope the front office realizes this sooner rather than later and can still salvage things.

75%?

this draft wasn't good, knicks got a safe bet. drafting okoro is a wasted lottery pick.

drafting toppin is fine, just because you're not a fan doesn't change this narrative.

[Garbagelo]

I don't see "low" upside with Obi. Maybe because of his lack of defense or footspeed has people down. But him and Mitch should be able to fit like a glove with Obi spacing the floor. Grab a temporary guard for the year or just roll with who you have. Next year's guard prospects are FAR more appealing than this year's.

The problem with Obi's "low" upside is that it takes the entire team's upside down with him.

We've already been there and done that with these type of players and we ended up running those guys out of town with glee.

I'm about 75% sure we just wasted a lotto pick.

I just hope the front office realizes this sooner rather than later and can still salvage things.

75%?

this draft wasn't good, knicks got a safe bet. drafting okoro is a wasted lottery pick.

drafting toppin is fine, just because you're not a fan doesn't change this narrative.

1) I don't buy his offense. He lacks a go to offensive ability. Dominating mid major players with rudimentary post moves the majority of the time will not translate to the NBA. He was simply bigger and more athletic than the players he played against. Being able to hit a few pick and pops does not make you a lotto pick considering his set shot ability is actually sub par. Very worried about him at PF on both ends. He is too slow to play PF and he is too small to play C.

2) He doesn't play any defense. There is nothing to discuss here, he doesn't play it because he can't, it's embarrassing. He drags the team down. Next.

3) I am cautious of his shot. Shot around 70% from the line which is a red flag for a guy that shot well from 3. See it all the time but still a reason to be alarmed.

4) 22 years old, his ceiling will come sooner rather than later. Typically this leads to poorer results. Old lotto picks have not fared well in recent times. He also only played 2 years in college at the age of 22.

5) Never played in the tourney. Not his fault but I believe it would have completely exposed him.

6) He's not a good rebounder.

7) He doesn't play defense.

[blueNorange]

lol.

his only legit weakness is defense, you just made a bunch of stuff up.

obi is already one of the top athletic bigs in the nba and that alone will give him an edge.

[aggo]

I remember this entire board wanted to avoid Trae Young like the plague... and thought he would be exposed in the league... I got high hopes for Obi just off the fact most of y’all swear the same thing about Toppin

I was a big Trae fan. but I'm concerned with Obi. I just looked at highlights for Obi's 3 biggest scoring games and It was all postups and lobs. He's not going to be able to use his size against bigger and stronger NBA bigs in the post. The three point shot looks good. But it seems like he doesn't face up and score and there were no pick and pop plays. I didnt see any catch and shooting off screens either.

I'm just wondering what his niche is going to be. we are probably going to run the pick and roll with Mitch and use Obi to stretch the floor on offense. Can Obi transform from a rim running/ postup player into a high volume stretch 4? I dunno because he didnt take that many 3's in college.

He was more versatile vs. good teams.

Watch on YouTube

small detail but watch the possession at 1:00

he takes initiative on defense off the secondary transition and directs his teammates.


also his form at the line looks fine. really reminiscent of Kenyon Martin/STAT power finishes near the rim.


NBA ready body. he's gonna have no problem banging down low on vets 5-10 years older than him. He's gonna produce right away.

[blueNorange]

lob city 2.0

mitch - jordan
obi - blake

[aggo]

watching more tape.

The guy can definitely play. He's pretty consistent in that he doesnt really stray from his moves. Not a freelance guy so he's not often 1on1 in the wing. Probably his foot speed will stop him from being a SF, but if he can develop a handle he'd be terrifying for guys on the perimeter to defend given his insane leaping and brute explosive strength

his 3pt shot is legit. look at how much air he puts under that ball.

watch him on give and gos and PNRs. he will snap pass the ball with 1 hand like Jokic.


seems like a coach's dream tbh. I can see why Thibs would love this guy

[aggo]

I rescind my concerns about him playing next to Mitch.

[Fat]

I don't see "low" upside with Obi. Maybe because of his lack of defense or footspeed has people down. But him and Mitch should be able to fit like a glove with Obi spacing the floor. Grab a temporary guard for the year or just roll with who you have. Next year's guard prospects are FAR more appealing than this year's.

I don’t see how some body who gets compared to Amare a lot would have a low upside. That ability to stretch the floor to go along with his athleticism and elite finishing makes him intriguing as a player offensively. Not to mention His passing ability and ball handling potential. He might be 22 but he doesn’t seem like a 22 close to hitting his ceiling yet.


Defense is the biggest concern but if he’s even average in this area it’s a good look for the Knicks going forward

[blanko]

I don't see "low" upside with Obi. Maybe because of his lack of defense or footspeed has people down. But him and Mitch should be able to fit like a glove with Obi spacing the floor. Grab a temporary guard for the year or just roll with who you have. Next year's guard prospects are FAR more appealing than this year's.

I don’t see how some body who gets compared to Amare a lot would have a low upside. That ability to stretch the floor to go along with his athleticism and elite finishing makes him intriguing as a player offensively. Not to mention His passing ability and ball handling potential. He might be 22 but he doesn’t seem like a 22 close to hitting his ceiling yet.


Defense is the biggest concern but if he’s even average in this area it’s a good look for the Knicks going forward

People just like attention. They want to be quoted, they want to start arguments.

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[Worst_to_First]

RJ-Obi-Mitch resembles a lot Melo-STAT-Tyson.

And the Knicks were significantly better without STAT (who could also shoot much like Obi) and with Melo/Tyson surrounded with shooters. The Knicks were too slow, too big with Melo-Stat-Tyson. The lane was clogged because Tyson was there for defense so Amar'e couldn't get to the rim to do what he does best.

Same will happen with this new trio. Same conundrum. Just saying.

I love Obi the person and I really like his offensive skill set. But I hate the pick.

I like Obi but the question that would matter on his fit with Mitch......

Is Obi one who creates space or one who needs space to create? Those are two different things, the latter of which won’t be the ideal pairing with Mitch. Could work but not the best.

[oldshoolballer]

Don't get all the pessimism I love this kid. Imagine Amar'e Stoudemire who can drain 3's and pass. Awe inspiring dunks. I get the defense concerns I think Thibs can coach him up and the young man wants it. I really like the energy and passion. Great shot for ROY.

[Clyde_Style]

Don't get all the pessimism I love this kid. Imagine Amar'e Stoudemire who can drain 3's and pass. Awe inspiring dunks. I get the defense concerns I think Thibs can coach him up and the young man wants it. I really like the energy and passion. Great shot for ROY.

Yes, plus Thibs may be the ideal coach and Kenny Payne too so I'm not overly concerned about him being a defensive zero

[God Squad]

watching more tape.

The guy can definitely play. He's pretty consistent in that he doesnt really stray from his moves. Not a freelance guy so he's not often 1on1 in the wing. Probably his foot speed will stop him from being a SF, but if he can develop a handle he'd be terrifying for guys on the perimeter to defend given his insane leaping and brute explosive strength

his 3pt shot is legit. look at how much air he puts under that ball.

watch him on give and gos and PNRs. he will snap pass the ball with 1 hand like Jokic.


seems like a coach's dream tbh. I can see why Thibs would love this guy

If even for a second you're looking at Obi as a SF you'll be doomed for failure. IMO Obi is a Power Forward strictly. Which should and will be his best position. He was the best player in college basketball for a reason, he can hoop without a doubt. The problem is how high is his ceiling with his defense, which I think Mitch should be able to cover some.

I get it that most people had their point guard project that they loved on here (Kira, Hayes, Terry). But IMO Hayes was the lotto talent of the bunch. Terry's agent tried to get his stock to an all-time high and tempt the Knicks to draft him in the first round. I honestly think you guys are going to love this pick once the season starts. To many teams draft for Potential and those same players never even sniff their ceiling or potential. Obi will help right away and should surprise many, I hope at least.

[Ray Williams]

Clyde: Obadiah is on fiiiyyyyaaaaa.

[GEOLINK]

When's the last time we drafted a hometown kid?

[omerome]

When's the last time we drafted a hometown kid?

Rod Strickland perhaps?