“Realistically, I look at myself in the top 10, top 15 players in this league,” Donovan Mitchell stated confidently. Known for placing his self-worth where he feels it belongs, Mitchell’s high individual stats over seven seasons with two franchises have earned him respect, though he’s yet to push past the Conference Semi-Finals. As he works to elevate both himself and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mitchell is also keeping an eye on his Eastern Conference rivals. Recently, during a Knicks-Pacers matchup, it wasn’t a crucial play that drew his attention, but rather an unusual moment that sparked reactions from the Cavaliers star and fans alike.

Power forward Obi Toppin was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise rough night for the Pacers in their 123-98 loss. Though he only contributed 8 points, it was his athleticism that stole the spotlight. During a brief pause in the game, with the ball stuck behind the basket, Toppin positioned himself on one side of the court, sprinted forward, and leaped to a height few could reach to dislodge the ball. Even the commentators on NBA on ESPN were taken aback, with one exclaiming, “That’s ridiculous.”

Once the moment went viral after Bleacher Report highlighted it through their official Instagram handle, it didn’t take long for the Cavaliers star to react. “Naaaaa bro wtf @obitoppin_1” wrote Donovan Mitchell in the comments section. Pretty soon, others also started to follow up and share their reactions for the world to see.

How did fans react to Obi Toppin’s impressive jump?

One social media user praised the Pacers power forward in a manner that would also incite some worry among others. After all, he commented, “Here comes the “random drug test”, accompanied by a sleeping face emoji. Another user said: “Drug test that man.”

The manner in which the NBA league has been extra vigilant when checking up on drug use has not bode well for many. After all, a sudden spike in performance is reportedly known to attract unwanted attention from drug testers. Back in February 2023, Damian Lillard revealed undergoing a “blood-draw drug test” for the first time in his decade-long NBA career. The same came after he recorded 71 points, including 13 three-pointers. Donovan Mitchell underwent testing after he scored 71 points against the Chicago Bulls back in January 2023.

Hilarious turns have also occurred in instances like in 2021 when Michael Carter-Williams faced testing just a day after he posted a photo of himself looking buff on social media. Ironically, Mo Bamba had commented on the picture that putting it out would lead to a drug test. Therefore, history might repeat itself again with Obi Toppin.

One social media user commented, “Welp here’s his push for the dunk contest starting with this.” This was, of course, a reference to the annual event held at the All-Star Weekend for over four-and-a-half decades. In his four years in the league, the player won the contest once back in 2022. He did so after going 90 (44+46) and 92 (45+47) during the two rounds. However, the last two contests have seen 25-year-old Orlando Magic player Mac McClung set a higher threshold. Therefore, Toppin’s leap may very well be an indication that things can become interesting during the upcoming contest.

Another individual may have felt a wave of nostalgia upon witnessing Obi Toppin’s move. Therefore, drawing a comparison to the early era of the NBA, he wrote “This is one of those dr j, wilt moments lol.”

NBA enthusiasts familiar with the league’s history since the 1950s are well aware of Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary free throw dunks. Despite being known as a poor free throw shooter, Chamberlain would often dunk from the foul line, showcasing a level of intimidation that prompted an opposing coach to call for a rule change at the 1956 NCAA convention. This led to the establishment of the rule requiring free-throw shooters to keep both feet behind the line—a regulation later adopted by the NBA. Fast forward a few decades, and Julius Erving became the player synonymous with slam dunks.

However, not everyone was impressed with the attention Obi Toppin received for his recent feat. One social media user criticized him, saying, “the first and only post of him in his career, and it isn’t even related to the game itself.” With only the Slam Dunk Contest to his name and career averages of 7.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, Toppin hasn’t yet carved out a legacy filled with memorable moments.

Despite the mixed reviews, most reactions to Toppin’s athleticism were positive. Donovan Mitchell, who has been keeping an eye on the competition, will need to ensure he and his teammates are aware of Toppin’s abilities the next time they face the Pacers.