The Knicks selected in the Top 10, but it's their second first-round pick from the 2021 NBA Draft that has garnered the most attention this year. Immanuel Quickley, the 25th overall pick, has been a revelation, flashing ability that could allow him to grow into a starting point guard sooner rather than later.
On the other hand, No. 8 overall selection Obi Toppin has been underwhelming. He is averaging only 11.7 minutes over 16 games, and there have been only two games this year when he has played more than 13 minutes. In fact, he has played fewer than 10 minutes in four of his last five games.
As a 22 year-old coming out of Dayton, Toppin was widely expected to contribute immediately as a polished offensive player. Instead, he is averaging only 11.6 points on .446/.276/.700 shooting, while struggling to find a scoring niche or definable role with the second unit. He has taken only seven more two-point shots than three-point shots, and often finds himself standing behind the three-point line on most possessions as a floor-spreader.
He is also averaging only 2.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and 0.4 blocks while playing inconsistent defense. Toppin's defensive struggles are one of the reasons that Tom Thibodeau has given for his limited playing time, but he was expected to struggle defensively after showing issues with lateral quickness and defensive positioning in college.
The real reason Toppin hasn't played more minutes was unavoidable, a pleasant surprise, and largely out of the organization's control. Starting power forward Julius Randle has played All-Star level basketball and the Knicks desperately need him on the floor to be a competent offensive basketball team. With Randle averaging just under 37 minutes per game, it doesn't leave much time for Toppin to play power forward.
Even with that said, there are ways the Knicks can help Obi Toppin develop as a player and get more opportunities.
1. Play Obi Toppin at center next to Julius Randle
This combination is fraught with challenges and risks, but it is also the only way to get Toppin more minutes, which is something he desperately needs to find a consistent role on offense. Thibodeau will have to be very careful in choosing when to try this lineup, since both of his bigs would be liabilities on the defensive end.
He would have to play them together at power forward and center with his best perimeter defenders that have the best chance to keep penetrating guards out of the lane. They would also best be paired against their opponent's back-ups, against a unit without an explosive penetrating guard to take advantage of neither Mitchell Robinson nor Nerlens Noel being on the floor as the team's rim protector.
Noel would not have to be taken out of the rotation completely, but if Thibodeau can just find 5 minutes per game to pair Randle and Toppin, it could get Toppin closer to a consistent 15-17 minutes per game.
2. Run More Actions For Noel
Playing Toppin at center would also allow him to be the primary screener and roll-man. When he is paired with Nerlens Noel, Noel is often used as the roll-man with Toppin behind the three-point line to spread the floor and open up the paint for lobs. With Toppin's leaping ability, length, and finishing ability he needs to be used as a finisher more often regardless of who he plays next to. He could be a real weapon at the rim.
Noel can also be used in pick and pop situations. While he does not have enough range to hit NBA threes consistently, he looks more comfortable taking mid-range jump shots. Until he extends his range, he could start by taking some fifteen-foot jumpers on the catch. These are not the most efficient shots, but they will give Toppin more of an opportunity to get comfortable in the offense.
Toppin can also be used in dribble hand-offs and other plays to get him the ball on the move, where he can act as a finisher and use both his athleticism going to the rim and jump shot.
3. Use Him At The Elbow
Toppin's greatest strength so far might be his passing ability. He throws some dangerous passes that sometimes become turnovers, but he has the vision and bravery to create open looks for his teammates. In addition to using his passing on the short-roll, the Knicks can also set him up in the high post and let him initiate the offense.
When he catches the ball at the elbow against the zone, he has shown the ability to run high-low plays with the center running the baseline. He can also hit a mid-range jumper, drive around slower defenders, or hit teammates moving off the ball on cuts or for open threes.
As long as Julius Randle is on the team, it is going to be difficult for Obi Toppin to find a consistent role and major minutes for the Knicks. But until that logjam is resolved, there is a way to make him a more effective player with a better chance of development: give him a more defined role designed as part of the offensive attack. Utilizing it against one of the worst teams in the league like the Wizards, who will be without their best player Bradley Beal, might be a good place to start.
Check out the latest episode of The Bank Shot, with former NBA assistant coach Steve Jones. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
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