The “Third year’s the Charm” Obi Toppin thread

[Swampy Meadows]

NYK getting curb stomped by the Suns in Phoenix. Obi not helping at all going 0-4 with 3 rebounds and an assist in 18 minutes. Hard to show any highlights when he doesn't score.

[flybye]

Obi is lost... has played very poorly last 2 games... his body language and energy not there. Needs a reset ... new coach and perhaps new opportunity. More importantly he needs a kick in the ass.. not aggressive or physical on the boards . I agree Tibs time has come and gone but Obi needs to step up. Plays soft. Love him hope he gets it going !!
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[Flyer Dave]

Watched and listened to every game. Probably wrong, but the last few games it almost looks like he was told not to shoot. He had some open looks and instead would pass to his team mates even though he was in a better position to shoot. Other times Obi is by himself in the corner no one within 20 ft. and no one passes it to him. Could it be Coach is trying to pad Randle’s numbers up for possible trade in Dec.?

[FlyingArrow]

Originally Posted by Flyer Dave Watched and listened to every game. Probably wrong, but the last few games it almost looks like he was told not to shoot. He had some open looks and instead would pass to his team mates even though he was in a better position to shoot. Other times Obi is by himself in the corner no one within 20 ft. and no one passes it to him. Could it be Coach is trying to pad Randle’s numbers up for possible trade in Dec.?

Obi taking a shot won't impact Randle's stats. They almost never share the floor.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi got 9 1H minutes vs OKC , went 2-7 for 5 points including this triple:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...Cxwf7JjaIsAAAA

The 2H hasn't fared much better. Obi got out on the break, but the outlet pass was too far. He then missed a shot at the rim. Later he airballed a three. And another one as the shot clock expired. He finishes 2-11 (1-5 from 3) for 5 points with 3 boards, as assist and a steal in 18 minutes.

[Swampy Meadows]

In the 1H, Obi went 1-2 from the land of plenty:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...12721372237825

#1 missed another three in the 2H, so he finishes with 3 points, 2 boards and an assist in 14 minutes. He was +14.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi missed a triple and then a shot at the rim but converted on a dunk. He missed another three on what looked like a set play to iso him at the top of the key. Later he airballed a baseline trey but flushed a feed from Brunson.

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DUtdmD3qksAAAA

4 points (2-6/0-3 from 3) and 2 boards in 7 1H minutes.

In the 2H Obi finally hit a three and tipped in a rebound. Here is a video with both plays:

https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...Ctmdny5qksAAAA

He finishes with 9 points, 3 rebounds and a block in 15 minutes, 2 of which were with Randle also on the floor.

[Swampy Meadows]

NYK face the Pistons here in Motown tonight. Kinda hard to get used to seeing Detroit in green unis. Obi made a nice save under the Pistons basket to IQ who drove for the deuce. In 6 1H minutes he gets the 1 rebound and assist. That's it.

The Knicks are up 109-88 after 3. One would assume that Randle (36 points) is done for the evening, but with Thibs ya never know. After 11 minutes of floor time Obi finally gets a touch and drains a three. He hit another trey shortly thereafter. Finally, he got a lob from IQ for a throw down to give the NYK a 140-110 V:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DUweLJuKwsAAAA

He finishes with 8 points on 2-3 from three, 1-1 from 2, 3 boards and 2 dimes in 18 minutes.

[Swampy Meadows]

NYK playing a back-to-back and face the Bucks. Obi was 1-3 from 3;

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DTsb-T1q0sAAAA

He hit another trey and made 1-2 FTs after getting hacked by Giannis:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DU3cu23q0sAAAA

7 points on 2-5 from 3 point land and 3 boards in 14 minutes of run.

Thibs did play Obi and Randle together for a bit in both halves.

[MrFlyerFanatic]

Travelling a lot lately and not having a time to read or watch sports news, I appreciate the condensed OBI update.
Thanks Swampy.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi had 4 points on 1-5 shooting to go with 7 boards, an assist and a steal in 22 minutes in a NYK loss to the Mavs.

His one highlight: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...ClvY7AnLEsAAAA

[Furio]

knicks now 10-13
Have to think the shot clock on the Thibs era is running out soon.

[Swampy Meadows]

In the IH vs the Cavs Obi had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 dime in 7 minutes. Three guesses how he scored his 2 markers:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DUlfqB37IsAAAA

[FlyingArrow]

Recently, Obi has unfortunately been playing in a way to prove Thibs right. Then again, you have to wonder what happens if Obi just gets to start and doesn't have to worry about it.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi was 1-3 from 3 in 8 1H minutes:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...Cwtfmr2bYsAAAA

In the 2H the NYK are crushing ATL by 23 and Obi's butt is stapled to the bench. Randle is playing in garbage time, WTF Thibs?

[longtimefan67]

Originally Posted by Swampy Meadows Obi was 1-3 from 3 in 8 1H minutes: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...Cwtfmr2bYsAAAA In the 2H the NYK are crushing ATL by 23 and Obi's butt is stapled to the bench. Randle is playing in garbage time, WTF Thibs?

I’m hearing Obi is hurt
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[UDaMan]

Obi has a sore right knee. Will not return to game.

[podcast411]

Originally Posted by longtimefan67 I’m hearing Obi is hurt Posted via Mobile Device

X-rays did not show anything - MRI is up next for Obi.

Bad day yesterday to be a Flyer.

[ClaytonFlyerFan]

Originally Posted by podcast411 X-rays did not show anything - MRI is up next for Obi. Bad day yesterday to be a Flyer.

Ian Begley
@IanBegley
·
37m
Obi Toppin has a non-displaced fracture in his right knee, per NYK. He will be revaluated in 2-3 weeks, team says.

[SeasonTicketFan]

Did not realize but I think the Knicks teams was staying at the same hotel that were used here in Chicago. UD team is in a different hotel.

We got on the elevator with two guys wearing Knicks clothing. They saw Dayton and mentioned Obi.

I said I wish their coach would use Obi better instead of planting him at the 3 point line solely. Great dunker and great pick and role player talent wasted. (After all fans like me are smarter than coaches).


One of the guys commented that their coach is the greatest coach in the NBA.

Ok then…

[podcast411]

Originally Posted by SeasonTicketFan Did not realize but I think the Knicks teams was staying at the same hotel that were used here in Chicago. UD team is in a different hotel. We got on the elevator with two guys wearing Knicks clothing. They saw Dayton and mentioned Obi. I said I wish their coach would use Obi better instead of planting him at the 3 point line solely. Great dunker and great pick and role player talent wasted. (After all fans like me are smarter than coaches). One of the guys commented that their coach is the greatest coach in the NBA. Ok then…

Did that guy then go "wink wink" afterwards?

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi to the Indiana Pacers trade talk:

https://heavy.com/sports/new-york-kn...rs-obi-toppin/

[Swampy Meadows]

The Knicks injury report now lists Obi as “Doubtful“ for tonight’s game which is an upgrade:

https://mobile.twitter.com/nyknicks/...94417877364737

Update: Obi now "Questionable":

https://clutchpoints.com/knicks-news...clash-vs-spurs

Final update:

NY_KnicksPR
@NY_KnicksPR

Derrick Rose and Obi Toppin are available to play.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi was available last night but was a DNP-CD.

NYK play again Friday @ Toronto
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[Swampy Meadows]

So, Obi was sent down to the Knicks G League team today so he could scrimmage 5 on 5 with them. Immediately after he was recalled to the big club and activated for the Toronto game tomorrow night.

[Swampy Meadows]

Fred Katz
@FredKatz

Tom Thibodeau said Obi Toppin is "getting close" in his ramp-up. Toppin technically back from the injury now, but still has some ways to go before Knicks feel comfortable playing him.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi should finally make his return tonight:

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/01/....html#ref=home
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[Swampy Meadows]

Obi entered with 3 minutes to go in the 1Q. A minute later he was yanked for the 1-12 (0-8 from 3) shooting Julius Randle. WTF Thibs? He ends up with 4 1H minutes and goes 0-1 with a steal.

In the 2H Obi hit a corner three for his only points in 8 minutes.: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DTocnvnuEsAAAA

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi splashed a three then missed one:

https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...DTwbaU3-MsAAAA

He had a steal and a nice dime to Barrett:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...43971190902786

Obi got knocked down under the hoop and made both FT, then missed a trey:

https://twitter.com/JakeBrownNBA/sta...CysZKP4OMsAAAA

5 points. 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 7 1H minutes. He got 2 more minutes in the 2H.

[podcast411]

Originally Posted by Swampy Meadows Obi splashed a three then missed one: https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...DTwbaU3-MsAAAA He had a steal and a nice dime to Barrett: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...43971190902786 Obi got knocked down under the hoop and made both FT, then missed a trey: https://twitter.com/JakeBrownNBA/sta...CysZKP4OMsAAAA 5 points. 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in 7 1H minutes. He got 2 more minutes in the 2H.

Then Thibs played him less than 3 minutes in the 4th quarter and yanked him.

[longtimefan67]

Originally Posted by podcast411 Then Thibs played him less than 3 minutes in the 4th quarter and yanked him.

Makes me wonder if the Knicks don’t have Obi on a minutes restriction for several games.

[FlyingArrow]

Originally Posted by longtimefan67 Makes me wonder if the Knicks don’t have Obi on a minutes restriction for several games.

Makes me wonder if they want him to play just enough to show he's healthy, but not enough to risk getting hurt again so they can trade him.

[BeckysTXA]

It would be a blessing if he gets traded. I’m sure he loves playing for his childhood favorite team, but reality has sunk in by now. It’s time to move on with a team that can play him to his talents and skills. That’s not going to happen with the Knicks unless someone gets hurt.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi gets 7 1H minutes and notches only 1 block:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...Cxzcq2pOYsAAAA

And 1 assist on this oop to RJ:

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1614060173294964744

Toppin got 5 more 2H minutes with no change in stats.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi and the NYK visit the Pistons here In Motown for a Sunday matinee. Obi is in and playing alongside Randle. He misses a 3 and grabs a rebound in 1 minute in the 1Q. In the 2Q he missed two point blank opportunities at the rim. He sits 0-4 with 4 rebounds and an assist in 6 1H minutes. In the 2H #1 missed another 3. in 9 total minutes, he garners 6 boards and a dime and is +5.
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[FlyingArrow]

Originally Posted by Swampy Meadows Obi and the NYK visit the Pistons here In Motown for a Sunday matinee. Obi is in and playing alongside Randle. He misses a 3 and grabs a rebound in 1 minute in the 1Q. In the 2Q he missed two point blank opportunities at the rim. He sits 0-4 with 4 rebounds and an assist in 6 1H minutes. In the 2H #1 missed another 3. in 9 total minutes, he garners 6 boards and a dime and is +5. Posted via Mobile Device

6reb in 9 minutes sounds unusual for him. He leaks out early so much that his rebounding numbers seldom impress.

[Swampy Meadows]

The Knicks have a 3:00pm MLK Day matinee vs. Toronto. He got out on the break for a jam:

https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...DR3cyK-eksAAAA

He then hit a triple: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DQnfOu-eksAAAA

But later got his shot "blocked" at the rim. 7 1H minutes - 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist. He got 4 2H minutes and addd another board.

[Swampy Meadows]

In 7 1H minutes vs. the Wiz Obi grabbed 2 boards and took 0 shots. He finishes 0-1 with 5 rebounds in 14 minutes.

[Swampy Meadows]

NYK C Mitch Robinson has a broken hand. Hoop Rumors speculates this could mean more minutes for #1:

Of course, while Toppin could play alongside Julius Randle in smaller lineups, the Knicks will also need one or both of Isaiah Hartenstein and Jericho Sims to step up in Robinson’s absence.

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/01/...rtenstein.html

So far tonight, Sims started and Hartenstein replaced him. So much for that theory, eh?

Obi came in with a minute left in the 1Q and started off with a bang:

https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...C-2Yvdqe8sAAAA

In the 2Q he missed a turnaround J, but then got a nice oop from Jalen Brunson:

https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...C-xd7mqu8sAAAA

And hit a trey from the corner. 7 points, 3 rebounds and an assist in 8 1H minutes.

Obi opened the 4Q by missing a three. And then another one. And another one. He has had at least 3 rebounds taken out of his hands by teammates tonight--2 by Hartenstein.

And he's done for the night.

[shocka43]

He's not doing himself any favors. Leash won't get any longer with Thibs.

[NJFlyr71]

I know he's making lot of money. But he is wasting away in NY I think he is starting to feel that way too.

Too bad. Great guy. Deserved better.

[longtimefan67]

Originally Posted by NJFlyr71 I know he's making lot of money. But he is wasting away in NY I think he is starting to feel that way too. Too bad. Great guy. Deserved better.

He’s definitely on the wrong team/wrong offense. I think Obi love’s playing at MSG but at some point, he needs to think about his career.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi had a tremendous 1H vs. the Raptors going for 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three and is a team-high +6 but played a team-low 7 minutes in the first half.

Highlights:

https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...Cy7fLd6vEsAAAA

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...08983899062273

https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/statu...Cx_aTB6_EsAAAA

In the 2H Obi got out for a jam on a feed from Barrett:

https://twitter.com/JakeBrownNBA/sta...DTyfLO8vEsAAAA

And he's done after only 4 2H minutes. 14 points, 1 each of reabounds, steals and assists.

[Swampy Meadows]

In 7 1H minutes vs the Cavs Obi was 2-3 (1-1 from 3) for 6 points and 2 boards.

Obi for three and a drive and finish: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...54621016231936

In the 2H he hit a 3 and a layup in rapid succession:

https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...72722244005888

And he's done. 11 points and 3 rebounds in only 10 freaking minutes. He leaves as the #3 scorer for the NYK.

[MrFlyerFanatic]

Originally Posted by Swampy Meadows In 7 1H minutes vs the Cavs Obi was 2-3 (1-1 from 3) for 6 points and 2 boards. Obi for three and a drive and finish: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...54621016231936 In the 2H he hit a 3 and a layup in rapid succession: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...72722244005888 And he's done. 11 points and 3 rebounds in only 10 freaking minutes. He leaves as the #3 scorer for the NYK.

Up 10 when he left the game. Escape with a 2pt win. In the +/- column, the entire bench was + double digits. The staters ranged from even at best to -9, -10, -11.

I don't get it. I don't think anyone gets it.

[rollo]

+/- is worthless and every night there are dozens+ examples of why.

LeBron last night...46 pts, 7 assists, 0 TOs, 2 steals, 1 block, 9-14 on 3s and a -14 +/-. Had he sat, the Lakers might have had a chance.

[Hyde Park Flyer]

+/- works in hockey because scoring is at a premium, and it emphasizes play on both ends of the ice. It’s possible to hold a team scoreless and quite possible to stop a team’s best player from scoring. There’s just not a parallel in basketball. There aren’t situational subs in hockey like there are in basketball. For example, there are guards who are excellent ball handlers and free throw shooters. They may get an inordinate amount of pt when his team is up. He likely finishes with a higher +/- because his team hits a bunch of last minute free throws as the other team jacks 3’s. The positive +/- would not mean as much in that case. In the case of hockey, Inguess it does help to understand that players do not get a positive point for scoring on a power play or a negative pony for giving up a point on the penalty kill.
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[Radar]

Originally Posted by Swampy Meadows In 7 1H minutes vs the Cavs Obi was 2-3 (1-1 from 3) for 6 points and 2 boards. Obi for three and a drive and finish: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...54621016231936 In the 2H he hit a 3 and a layup in rapid succession: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...72722244005888 And he's done. 11 points and 3 rebounds in only 10 freaking minutes. He leaves as the #3 scorer for the NYK.

I confess to only watching the 4th quarter, but Obi was torched on 3 consecutive isolation plays. Not that whoever replaces him is a better option, just sayin'...

[Hyde Park Flyer]

I just asked my older Hockey playing son, and he also mentioned that the chance of scoring in basketball is so much higher. He doesn’t think that it fairly reflects play on offense and defense. Kinda what I said.
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[longtimefan67]

Originally Posted by Radar I confess to only watching the 4th quarter, but Obi was torched on 3 consecutive isolation plays. Not that whoever replaces him is a better option, just sayin'...

I didn’t get to see the game against Cleveland due to blackout (i have NBA season pass and not Fox Sports Ohio). Generally- with the exception of Mitch Robinson and maybe Quinten Grimes, the Knicks players are just your average token defense NBA players. Obi’s first year- he was out of position a lot and not good. The last 2 years he’s worked on his lateral quickness with a trainer and it shows- he’s no longer the weakest defensive player. Not strongest either- just not the worst. What I usually see is Obi trying too much to help out on defense and favor is rarely ever returned. All other things being equal - his offensive efficiency is still very high. Most “NY Knicks” podcasts I listen to echo the common complaint that Obi deserves much more minutes. Even the other night when they were playing the Raptors- the Raptors game announcers were saying (laughing really) “where’s Obi Toppin?”

[Swampy Meadows]

Tonight, Obi and the NYK face the Celtics on TNT, so Dayton fans can toggle back and forth starting at 7:30 pm.

[ClaytonFlyerFan]

Originally Posted by Swampy Meadows Tonight, Obi and the NYK face the Celtics on TNT, so Dayton fans can toggle back and forth starting at 7:30 pm.

FAKE NEWS surprise surprise

My schedule says tomorrow for what I hope is soon Obis former team.

[rollo]

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[ClaytonFlyerFan]

Originally Posted by rollo Posted via Mobile Device

Great post. You must have popped open your second Bud Lite

[Swampy Meadows]

The game is on TNT but Thursday night.

https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401468885

[FlyingArrow]

Obi should hope to land in a perfect spot for himself. I think Obi is good enough to be a starter on a championship-caliber team, but he'd have to be the 4th or 5th best starter. More likely, he ends up a starter on a middling to lower-tier team or a rotation player on a good team. Right now he's a low-usage rotation player on a middling team - he's better than that.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi entered with less than a minute to go in the 1H to replace the red-hot Randall. He scored on a breakout:

https://twitter.com/KnicksNation/sta...80509751877635

He missed a three and then had his shot blocked. 2 points and 1 rebound in 10 1H minutes and he is a game high +13.

In the 4Q, #1 nailed a three: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...99265639432192

In 15 minutes, he totals 5 points and 2 boards.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi 1-2 FG and 2-2 FT for 4 points in 5 1H minutes vs the Nets in a game now on ABC. Toppin gets another 5 minutes and never gets a shot up.

[Swampy Meadows]

Obi and the NYK face the Lakers at 7:30 pm on TNT as an appetizer for the UD/LUC game at 9:00 pm. Obi got 6 minutes of 1st half run and got zero touches on offense but did snare 5 defensive rebounds.

And he got to cover LeBron.

In the 2H he hit a triple: https://twitter.com/TheKnicksWall/st...DSteHFxv0sAAAA

[Swampy Meadows]

In 14 minutes last night Obi had 7 points and 2 boards in a NYK win. Highlights:

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheKnicks...DU_ayCkoAtAAAA

https://mobile.twitter.com/sny_knick...35717946302464
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[Swampy Meadows]

Mr. Quiroga
@MrQPhoto

Today Ossining High School will be honoring Obi Toppin Class of 2016 Ossining Alumni

https://twitter.com/MrQPhoto/status/...DSzZPB54AtAAAA