Obi Toppin to the Knicks @ #8

[GONYK]

Not going to lie - as much as I was opposed to his contract, I got a little wistful this morning thinking about CP3 throwing lobs to Obi & Mitch, developing them to their max potential.

But I snapped out of it and am ok now.

If we end up trading for Russ, I will definitely be pissed about not just going for it with CP3.

If you're going to make a bad decision, at least make the bad the decision that makes sense

[DOT]

As long as we build some continuity, I like this. The pieces fit IMO

I don't see how they do

You have 2 floor spacers and 3 guys who are at their best attacking the rim

Best case scenario on offense, Obi/Mitch is a worse version of Blake/DJ, and they had an all time great at PG and couldn't make it work. We'd have Fred Van Felton and RJ, so I don't see how we'd be better than them

It'd be better than last year cause FVF is better than Payton, Obi should be better than Randle, and RJ and Mitch should just get better, but that's not a good foundation.

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I wouldn't say they couldn't make it work. That team was winning 50 games a year in the West and couldn't stay healthy throughout the playoffs. What ultimately caused them to split was their personalities and egos. Were they a title contender? No but were they a good team? Yes. Legit playoff team year in and year out? Yes

Constructing a consistent 50 win team would be an excellent turnaround for this franchise

No there is no CP3 on the squad and I'm aware of that but there are enough pieces to the puzzle that are starting to come together where you should be able to construct something that gets you at least back in the playoff picture if the players we hope to pan out eventually do, we make wise use of free agency and can make a good trade or few to compliment those pieces in place.

We won't be a consistent 50 win team

I made the comparison cause we're objectively worse than that team which couldn't get over the hump. I feel like you missed the part where Obi isn't as good as Blake and we don't have a CP3

That team is destined for mediocrity.

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[thebuzzardman]

We picked a 3 quarter player that needs to be surrounded by the likes of Frank and Mitch

We already tried that..... Enes Kanter, Julius Randle, Amare Stoudemire, Bargnani, literally too many to name

This organization never learns and it never will

And who were the 4 quarter players that were available at 8?

Haliburton, for one

[SelbyCobra]

I will say there will be some fun moments on offense this year. Could have some games and moments where it looks like Lob City-lite

I also thought about this. I imagined a moment where Obi YAMS on Zion and then styles on him, too. Sh*t would be BONKERS.

I'm very excited that he's not the almost-but-not-quite-there kind of dunker like Porzingis, Barrett, and even Melo. He's the real deal, with the legit ability to bang on anyone at any time.

[SelbyCobra]

Not going to lie - as much as I was opposed to his contract, I got a little wistful this morning thinking about CP3 throwing lobs to Obi & Mitch, developing them to their max potential.

But I snapped out of it and am ok now.

If we end up trading for Russ, I will definitely be pissed about not just going for it with CP3.

If you're going to make a bad decision, at least make the bad the decision that makes sense

100% agreed.

[Strick]

I will say there will be some fun moments on offense this year. Could have some games and moments where it looks like Lob City-lite

I also thought about this. I imagined a moment where Obi YAMS on Zion and then styles on him, too. Sh*t would be BONKERS.

I'm very excited that he's not the almost-but-not-quite-there kind of dunker like Porzingis, Barrett, and even Melo. He's the real deal, with the legit ability to bang on anyone at any time.

Yeah, we could have the most athleticism on this team since I can remember. The year with the most exciting dunks I can remember was the year we brought in JR and Baron Davis, Prigs, and others were throwing him some crazy lobs.

This year, Mitch and Obi can finish almost anything as far as lobs if it's even relatively well placed. RJ can throw down some solid dunks but not on their level in that regard. Then the ultimate unlikely would be DSJ being serviceable because you know he tries to bang on someone hard from time to time as well.

RJ/Obi PnR should be fun to watch. I expect Obi to yam on a couple people this year

[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:

[nyczlegacy]

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.

[HEZI]

I don't see how they do

You have 2 floor spacers and 3 guys who are at their best attacking the rim

Best case scenario on offense, Obi/Mitch is a worse version of Blake/DJ, and they had an all time great at PG and couldn't make it work. We'd have Fred Van Felton and RJ, so I don't see how we'd be better than them

It'd be better than last year cause FVF is better than Payton, Obi should be better than Randle, and RJ and Mitch should just get better, but that's not a good foundation.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

I wouldn't say they couldn't make it work. That team was winning 50 games a year in the West and couldn't stay healthy throughout the playoffs. What ultimately caused them to split was their personalities and egos. Were they a title contender? No but were they a good team? Yes. Legit playoff team year in and year out? Yes

Constructing a consistent 50 win team would be an excellent turnaround for this franchise

No there is no CP3 on the squad and I'm aware of that but there are enough pieces to the puzzle that are starting to come together where you should be able to construct something that gets you at least back in the playoff picture if the players we hope to pan out eventually do, we make wise use of free agency and can make a good trade or few to compliment those pieces in place.

We won't be a consistent 50 win team

I made the comparison cause we're objectively worse than that team which couldn't get over the hump. I feel like you missed the part where Obi isn't as good as Blake and we don't have a CP3

That team is destined for mediocrity.

Sent from my SM-G965U using RealGM mobile app

Not sure why you feel like I missed that part when I even acknowledged that the team has no CP3 on it and made an emphasis to say that if the young guys pan out the way we hope they do then we should have those expectations.

Now unless you have hope that RJ and Obi never become much then that's a different story but I think most of us at least hope they become big time players. Will they remains to be seen and I never said they will nor did I say we will be a 50 win team. BUT, like I mentioned before, IF your young guys pan out the way you hope, RJ becomes a star and Obi becomes a star, you bring in a FVV who is solid AND you can put other pieces around them (whoever you can imagine as being a good fit that we can realistically get just go with that) so in other words finding your JJ Reddick, Jamal Crawford type of complimentary pieces, then yeah why wouldn't it work and why wouldn't you be able to find success? Remember the Clippers didn't have a wing like RJ, they used to fill that role with guys like Matt Barnes or Luc Mbah Moute, so that's a dynamic to our team that their team didn't have so it's not about replicating them completely but what I'm saying is you can find your own identity that might resemble them in some areas and differ in others and find success. Why not? The young guys with the highest potential have to reach that potential for you to do that, of course and I stated that already.

[BowlRips]

Not going to lie - as much as I was opposed to his contract, I got a little wistful this morning thinking about CP3 throwing lobs to Obi & Mitch, developing them to their max potential.

But I snapped out of it and am ok now.

If we end up trading for Russ, I will definitely be pissed about not just going for it with CP3.

If you're going to make a bad decision, at least make the bad the decision that makes sense

I think Phx blew us out of the water and honestly makes sense that CP3 wanted to be in PHX over NY.
Their deal was:
2022 1st Rounder
Rubio - was just traded with 25 and 28 for 17.. I dont know if Randle or anyone the Knicks could have additionally offered has this value
Oubre - Easily worth a late first round pick

So maybe the trade wouldve needed to be:
2021 Dallas
Knox
Randle

[Traveyknicks23]

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?

[Slicin N Dicin]

Double Toppy nickname for when he gets double-doubles will be fun.

That's all I can contribute to this conversation right now

[nyczlegacy]

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

[Dantares]

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.

Everyone should watch this video. Thank you for posting this. After watching that I am a bit relieved. 43% on catch and shoot 3's is very good. He is going to be able to space the floor for RJ and Mitch. He steps into his shot with a good rhythm and confidence. I don't think he will be able to dominate like he did in the post in college posting up. But I think he can find success as a stretch 4.

[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

[HerSports85]

Former Dayton star Josh Cunningham, now with the Westchester Knicks of the G League, remembers how tireless Toppin was, even then. “When I was around, he was really one of those people who attacked every practice, every workout, every lift session, every conditioning session, he really got after it,” he says.

[HerSports85]

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.

Everyone should watch this video. Thank you for posting this. After watching that I am a bit relieved. 43% on catch and shoot 3's is very good. He is going to be able to space the floor for RJ and Mitch. He steps into his shot with a good rhythm and confidence. I don't think he will be able to dominate like he did in the post in college posting up. But I think he can find success as a stretch 4.

This video also shows his offensive awareness. Look how quick he moves out of the paint when he doesn't have position or can get an open 3.

[whocares1]

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.

Everyone should watch this video. Thank you for posting this. After watching that I am a bit relieved. 43% on catch and shoot 3's is very good. He is going to be able to space the floor for RJ and Mitch. He steps into his shot with a good rhythm and confidence. I don't think he will be able to dominate like he did in the post in college posting up. But I think he can find success as a stretch 4.

Which is sad because a stretch 4 isn’t what the game is revolved around at all.

[BowlRips]

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.

Everyone should watch this video. Thank you for posting this. After watching that I am a bit relieved. 43% on catch and shoot 3's is very good. He is going to be able to space the floor for RJ and Mitch. He steps into his shot with a good rhythm and confidence. I don't think he will be able to dominate like he did in the post in college posting up. But I think he can find success as a stretch 4.

Is his worst case Tobias Harris?
I mean he does look pretty stiff.
Long term probably a center?

[GONYK]

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.

Everyone should watch this video. Thank you for posting this. After watching that I am a bit relieved. 43% on catch and shoot 3's is very good. He is going to be able to space the floor for RJ and Mitch. He steps into his shot with a good rhythm and confidence. I don't think he will be able to dominate like he did in the post in college posting up. But I think he can find success as a stretch 4.

Is his worst case Tobias Harris?
I mean he does look pretty stiff.
Long term probably a center?

Not at his size