For one of the few nights this season, Obi Toppin looked like the Knicks rookie with a better chance against the Warriors on Tuesday in front of 2,000 spectators in the garden.
Was it a coincidence that it did on the first night where the garden allowed fans, including Roni and Obidiah Toppin, his Brooklyn parents? « She had a great time, » Toppin said after the shootaround on Thursday before the Knicks hosted Sacramento. “She said she had tears in her eyes when she saw me step onto the square. That’s my mother – she’s very emotional. But my mom, my dad, my girlfriend – everyone who went to the garden the other day to watch me play was amazing. You enjoyed it very much. “
There was a lot to enjoy. For most of the season’s games, the Knicks’ other rookie, Immanuel Quickley, stole the limelight and got more minutes despite being withdrawn 17 spots later.
Toppin, the Knicks lottery in 8th place, could now slow as Dayton’s athletic strength emerges, who can score in different ways.
« I feel like I’m not 100 percent better now than I was before, but I feel better, » said Toppin, who on average only 11, Has 9 minutes. “I feel like the game is going to be a little slower for me. I’m starting to know my role. When I get in, I know what to do to help the team win. It’s my first year in the league. With every game I have to learn from every mistake and get better. “
Against Golden State, the Dayton Dunk machine was 3-on-3 in 13 minutes and showed diversity. He slammed down a beautiful pass from Alec Burks that was thrown a little deep. He muscled inward for a left hook shot. And in the middle of the fourth quarter he struck a 3-hand key.
« I have a feeling that the fans were a lot more energetic at the beginning, » said Toppin. “It definitely felt great when my parents and girlfriend watched me play in the garden. We came to every game to see the Knicks play (as a kid). “
Maybe this is when the launch center Mitchell Robinson is still fixing his broken hand. Knicks trainer Tom Thibodeau will extend Toppins minutes and try a Toppin Julius Randle forecourt.
Thibodeau has almost exclusively used a Nerlens Noel-Taj Gibson middle tandem, but the Knicks have to score more points outside the middle position. Noel has had a sore ankle for all the minutes he’s logged since Robinson’s retirement six games ago.
« Coach [Thibodeau] is a great coach, » said Toppin. “When the time comes to step on, especially with Jules, the coach will never enable us to fail. If he throws us into the mix of me and Jules out in the forecourt together, we’ll do the job and do it well. «
Toppin wasn’t asked about King’s rookie point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who passed the Knicks for Toppin and who is having a solid season.
In January, Haliburton burned the Knicks in Sacramento with 16 points and four blocks in victory of kings.
Afterward, Haliburton trolled the curtsy on social media with a Kermit The Frog meme, with the cartoon character drinking tea, known as a symbol of celebrating another party’s misfortune while being over the fight remains.
The season is only 32 games old and there is still a lot of tea to be brewed.
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