USA Today via Reuters
Nov 27, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) celebrates a made basket in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 27, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) celebrates a made basket in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Upon obtaining Obi Toppin from the New York Knicks, the Indiana Pacers anticipated him serving as a potent lob threat for Tyrese Haliburton. The 25-year-old forward not only fulfilled this expectation but exceeded it. Selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Toppin has assumed a more substantial role with the Indiana Pacers compared to his time in Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks system last season. He is achieving career-best numbers in points, minutes played, and assists.
Despite the Pacer’s loss in the inaugural in-season tournament, Toppins’s contribution is being noticed across the league. More recently, the man who drafted him gets candid about his pairing with Tyrese Haliburton.
Scott Perry feels like Toppin is the “perfect fit”
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Former Knicks GM Scott Perry disclosed his honest opinion about Toppin and Haliburton. In 2020, he was the man who picked the 2022 Dunk Contest Champion for the New York Knicks right out of Dayton University. “Obi Toppin man. Obi looks great. He’s a perfect fit to play with a guy like Haliburton…He can run the floor as well as any forward in the NBA,” Perry said.
Former Knicks GM Scott Perry on HoopGenius: "…Obi Toppin man. Obi looks great. He's a perfect fit to play with a guy like Haliburton…He can run the floor as well as any forward in the NBA. And the way they wanna play with that kind of speed & pace…he fulfills that for them" pic.twitter.com/gikBnvR8P1
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 11, 2023
He further added, “He can run the floor as well as any forward in the NBA. And the way they wanna play with that kind of speed & pace…he fulfills that for them.” With exceptional talent like Toppin and Haliburton in the mix, the Pacers can be rest assured to have a noteworthy regular season.
Obi Toppin has a bright future ahead
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In the early stages of the Pacers’ new era, the focus is evident: Tyrese Haliburton is the franchise cornerstone. As championship teams require complementary role players, Obi Toppin appears to fit seamlessly. He is still quite young and has more time and energy to give to his potential home in Indiana.
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In the finals of the in-season tournament, Toppin ended up scoring 13 points with two rebounds. As the season is far from over, it remains to be seen how far the young forward will go to ensure that his team will be able to progress post season.
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What are your thoughts on the Haliburton-Toppin duo? Do you think they can take the Pacers to the playoffs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
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