Knicks forward Obi Toppin had an underwhelming rookie season after being selected with the No. 8 pick in last year’s draft. The former Dayton standout played just 11.0 minutes per game, averaging 4.1 PPG and 2.2 RPG on 49.8% shooting.
However, Toppin is determined to take a major step forward in his second NBA season, and views participating in the pre-Olympics training camp as part of the U.S. Select Team as an important part of that process, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.
“The message, (the coaches) told me coming here is just be a sponge,” Toppin said on Wednesday from Las Vegas. “There’s great coaches and players out here and just get better and develop my game. I’m working really hard in this offseason to be better for my second season coming up. It’s going be a lot different than the first season.
“I was super excited to have opportunity to come out here work out with these guys,” Toppin added. “It’s the best players in the world on this Olympic team. Having the opportunity to learn under the coaches here and playing with these players, I’m learning a lot and I’m going to translate it into my game for the upcoming season.”
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Over at The Athletic, Derek Bodner and Rich Hofmann provide an in-depth primer for the Sixers‘ offseason, Mike Vorkunov and John Hollinger preview what’s ahead this summer for the Knicks, and Blake Murphy identifies six guards the Raptors could consider selecting with one of their two second-round picks (Nos. 46 and 47).
- Speaking of those two Raptors second-rounders, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca suggests (via Twitter) that most of the prospects Toronto has worked out so far in the pre-draft process are either candidates for those picks or potential UDFA targets. The lottery prospects who could be in play at No. 4 figure to start coming through next week, per Lewenberg.
- Morgan State forward Troy Baxter Jr. is drawing interest from a handful of Atlantic clubs. He has already worked out for the Celtics and Nets and is auditioning for the Knicks later this week, he said on Wednesday (Twitter link via Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington).
I actually thought Toppin had a good rookie season. He was better than I expected, and if he can build off of that, he should be a useful rotation player. I think being around Spo should help continue to develop certain habits he started learning this season as well. Amare became a strong defender under Spo, and the Heat, and he is the guy I generally most compare Toppin to at the 5
I respect your opinion, but we must be watching two totally different players.
He was a positive defensively, where he looked lost on that end coming into the draft
I like Toppin, but his rookie season was not a good one. He showed some flashes, but he always seemed a little too excited or anxious or something, like he was trying to go through his moves too quickly or not setting himself prior to shooting. The old adage about not letting the game come to him.
It’s funny because he was considered one of the most ‘ready’ players in last year’s draft, but he clearly needs a bit more seasoning. As a Knicks fan, I’m not worried about him, though. He looked a lot better than some of our recent busts like Knox or Frank.
I’ll be honest I only watched him a couple of games, but it looked like he was constantly attempting uncomfortable 3’s which isn’t his game. He can be a beast if unleashed at the rim. But I think he needs to be utilised differently and given more of a chance.
Toppin looked good. He didn’t get enough playing time. Thibs doesn’t develop young players while they’re on rookie contracts, so he is the wrong coach for where the Knicks are at right now. They will be a perennial first-round out until they fully commit to building patiently and accruing assets.
I agree that Thibs is the wrong coach for the team right now, but Dolan is also the wrong owner, and Perry…
I read that
Pacers did not offer 13th pick for Simmons
It’s Brogdon and a protected First for Simmons
Good for you? What does this have to do with Toppin or the Knicks?
Read the article again there bud. More in it than just Toppin.
This article link
link to theathletic.com
Toppin was a mess early in the year (maybe some injuries, but certainly a loss of confidence in his 3 pt shot, which is what got him drafted as high as he went, although he was never the shooter in college that he was made out to be). Despite this, and with no clear path to significant PT, he committed himself to improving and it somewhat showed later in the year. At least he was looking at the basket when getting the ball on the perimeter.
I didn’t like the pick when made, but it can’t be fully assessed until next year. His athletic package is best labeled offense only, but still impressive. I sense he has more than what he’s shown. Still, assuming Randle is going to be extended this summer, Knicks have to entertain trade offers, if they’re reasonable. Draft day is often a good time to trade guys in the early years of their RSC’s.
I really don’t see the Knicks extending Randle this offseason, especially after the playoffs he had. They’ll use this coming season to evaluate whether or not he’s worth it. If he’s not, they’ve got Toppin to potentially fall back on.
That would be a BIG mistake. I was glad the FO let this situation play out this season, but the FO doesn’t have the luxury of punting on it for another year. Whether Randle projects to be one of the building blocks of this rebuild affects (or should affect) the other key personnel decisions they make. That includes a decision on Toppin, who is unlikely to find a prominent role (even if minutes come) that will maximize his skill set while Randle is here. Rebuilds are hard, and almost all of them fail, largely because the FO’s aren’t up to making tough decisions within critical windows of time. Making them when they have all the information is too late.
Ideally, either Toppin is traded this off season, or Randle is trade bait going into the season.
Except with Randle, they *don’t* have all of the information. Is he the Randle from the regular season, and the playoffs were just him slumping during a small sample size? Or was his regular season a flash in the pan, and his total collapse in the playoffs indicative of larger issues for him?
There is absolutely no way they extend him this offseason and absolutely no way they trade Toppin this offseason. Randle has too many questions and Toppin’s trade value is probably as low as it ever will be. Toppin wouldn’t pull in more than a second rounder or very late first.
It would be asinine of the Knicks to rush a decision on either player. They can let the season play out. They’re rebuilding and don’t need to make a knee-jerk move.
You don’t get it. The fact that they’re in a rebuild make it more imperative they act timely on decisions that impact them into the future. A competent FO has enough information to act. When ALL the information is known, guess what? It’s too late. Then internet experts can talk of what they “should have done” etc.
Toppin’s value will go MUCH lower if he sits around without a role for another year.
Toppins value is still high. But we don’t need him. We need a SF and a PG. or a SG and a PG. Two starters and we improve immensely. That simple. Like you said it’s still a rebuild so there’s no panick moves here. We are in building mode. Fact Luca is signed tells me Quickly can be moved. That silly hater uses the word overpay. I never said that. But haters use fiction to support their BS. FA is the best way to get a player for us. Who is out there. Dinwiddie is worth 20 mill to plenty of teams. That’s market value. Personally I sign him. Reality is I don’t think Knicks will. This is for the hater not you DXC.
All he got is hate for players or transactions. Not once has he give us a version that can work. Like we try and do lol. I know my take is not fact. But it don’t mean it’s not right. Some of us really care about this gm and what we say. NYK for life bro.
Toppin was very disappointin’ in his rookie year, & even more so counting that he was 23, next season 24… I mean he hasn’t got much time to improve, guys at his age, & even younger are superstars already… he is just sooo much behind the curve!!!
He will be in his prime in a couple years… with way too much to work on before that!
Happy “I LeBron NY” Day… (link to tonysports.wordpress.com) (link to tonysports.files.wordpress.com)
I mean…
Happy “I’m taking my talents to South Beach” Day! (link to hoopshype.com)
Randle is here to stay. You don’t know Knicks . He’s a Thibs guy. He’s going to lead this team by his commitment. He needs a scorer and a PG. Seriously bro all you do is hate. Randle has had the best yr of any Knick since Ewing. What can Toppin do in 11 mins of inconsistent time. There are real basketball fans. And then there are the ones who only see failure. It’s Toppins first yr at 11 mins lol. Seriously take up another sport. You don’t get what it takes to be successful in NBA. Truth is Toppin n Quickly are probably gone. They are good trade chips to use for what we really need. A scorer/shooter and a starting PG. Why must you make this about your inability to understand ball. Thibs is on it. It’s been one yr. We are already criticizing the best turn around in yrs. Draft night will tell a lot about Knicks. Knicks are only going to get better. Not cause I say so. Cause we got assets, 3 picks in top 32, and 60 mill to spend in FA. Do the math. We can’t mess this is up even if we wanted to.
Who are you talking to? And it’s rich to tell anyone that they ‘don’t get what it takes to be successful in the NBA’ when your big ideas to improve the team are to overpay for Spencer Dinwiddie and trade for Russell Westbrook, both of which would be horrible moves. I have no idea why you’re so full of yourself.
I’m full of knowledge unlike you. I doubt you even watch this team. Who in the world of NBA is going to pass judgment on an 11 min a gm guy. Who backs up best player. And gets Inconsistent mins. You have to be a hater. An absolute non basketball person. To talk about the best yr any Knick has had in yrs.I’m not even a big Randle guy. I only read what the team is doing. I’m not Marty. And it will serve you well to get that. This is my team. It’s not my way. It’s what I see they will do based on production and talent. Unfortunately 80% if this board doesn’t understand that. Including you. I’m sick of your hate for guys you couldn’t hold their jock. Yet you got hate and no GAME. Is that Freakin plain enough for you.
Knicks need to add shooting and a player that can create his own shot.
Overpay for John Collins. Use picks, Toppin, and Knox in a deal for CJ (likely a 3 team). Bring Rose and Taj back and one of Burks/Bullock. Sign Danny Green.
Collins – Mitchell
Randle – Taj
RJ – Green
CJ – Burks/Bullock
Quickley – Rose