There were a handful of thrilling dunks for Knicks striker Obi Toppin in his debut season. But there were not many offenses or minutes for choosing the 2020 lottery.
The Brooklyn product said it was still discovering Dayton’s leap into the NBA and hoped to reveal “new things” to spur his fit.
The highlight of the debut season for Dayton’s burial machine may come in Atlanta if he is invited to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest at the newly organized All-Star event.
A wide smile appeared on Toppin’s face at the possibility – a potential indicator he has of a legitimate chance of an invitation.
“The Dunk Contest, I think we will have to wait and see,” said a smiling Toppin. “I don’t just want to give all the answers, but I hope that I can be there. Maybe not. So, we’re going to have to wait and see. ”
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is riding emerging star Julius Randle for nearly 40 minutes per game, limiting Toppin’s playing time to just 12 minutes.
The defense of Toppin’s team needs to be improved and he was not physical enough to create his own shot. Often, attack power is setting picks and losing perimeter, where he is not known as a 3-point sniper.
“I feel like I’m still trying to find my attack, my strength on the offensive side,” said Toppin. “I feel like everyone is helping me with this, my coaches and teammates. All of these guys are helping me find out what I’m really good at. ”
“I’m still trying to find my offensive spot, for the first time playing in the NBA. I’m trying to find out what I’m really good at at that level. I will start trying new things. ”
Asked what differences struck him between Dayton and the NBA, Toppin said: “The difference between college and now – I feel that the physicality, the speed of the game, these two things are probably the main things that I need to adjust to. I am learning every day and I feel that I am improving. ”
The loss of the summer league was a big loss for Toppin, who did not play on an elite show like Immanuel Quickley in Kentucky. NBA GMs still projected that Toppin, aged 22, would run for the Rookie of the Year award, voting for him as the third most likely candidate.
An NBA source connected to the Knicks said of Toppin’s embarrassing situation: “Some of the things he does in college don’t work. That’s all he knows now. He couldn’t get used to the NBA because it’s different from college. He’s learning. He knows it is a process. He knows he is a newbie and has a lot to learn. He is ready for this and he is also patient. Give it time, it will come. ”
In 13 games, Toppin has an average of 4.6 points. 2.5 rebounds and 0.6 assists. He also lost 10 games due to a calf strain.
Thibodeau said he needs to improve his team’s defense and feels that the absence of the summer league has really hurt the college player of the year.
“All newbies, that’s the challenge,” said Thibodeau. “You have a league player skill set that is different from college. The track is different, the rules are different. He needs to know the system he is in. He needs to know the league players and the system he is facing. He’s doing a lot of good things every day. But the first time, it is a challenge for all newbies. The second pass will be better, the third time better after that. He’s making good, steady progress. ”
On Saturday, the 2-meter-tall Toppin will face a childhood idol – Brooklyn colleague Carmelo Anthony – while the Knicks host the Trail Blazers. He hopes to eventually master Anthony’s internal movements.
“I have definitely watched him all my life,” said Toppin. “He is an incredible player. He has a very strong post-game. He has a very good touch. Seeing the different movements he has in the post, the fakes, I will try to learn from [him]. ”