Obi Toppin didn’t count on coach Tom Thibodeau to be as excited as he was after the Knicks’ ahead received Saturday’s All-Star Slam Dunk Contest when he arrived Wednesday on the staff’s first apply after the break.
“All people congratulated me [at practice], mentioned I had some fairly good dunks,’’ Toppin mentioned. “[Thibodeau] undoubtedly did. I used to be sort of shocked for a second. He was the primary one I talked about it with. He was speaking to me concerning the expertise and if I bought to speak to any of the blokes. However that’s my man. Coach is cool.’’
Thibodeau thought profitable — even whether it is circus dunks — could be a enhance because the Knicks start their post-All-Star break dash Friday internet hosting Miami.
“I did [watch],’’ Thibodeau mentioned. “I’m a Saturday night time man — the 3-point contest. I’m completely happy for Obi. It’s good for him and good for our group.’’
However will it imply extra taking part in time for Toppin, one thing that has change into an obsession for Knicks followers on social media? Derrick Rose will probably be again both Friday or Sunday and he’s going to breathe life into Toppin’s sport within the open court docket.
“It’s not essentially what’s finest for Obi,’’ Thibodeau mentioned. “It’s what’s finest for the staff. I would like him to proceed to enhance, proceed to do what he’s doing properly and construct on that. When the bench goes in, it’s one in all our strengths at occasions. And he’s an enormous a part of that. His athleticism actually stands out in that group [with Rose].’’
Toppin, who struggles with staff protection and 3-point capturing, is averaging 15.1 minutes in his second season after being the No. 8 decide within the 2020 draft. He has by no means embraced the Obi Minutes Police’s manifesto.
“I belief Coach Thibs and the teaching workers, entrance workplace, so no matter choice they make with taking part in time, I’m cool with,’’ Toppin mentioned. “I’m glad I’m right here and have a variety of enjoyable doing it. No matter choice they make with taking part in time, I belief the choice.’’
With Rose on the verge of igniting the second unit, Toppin says the Knicks “could make a push.’’
“D-Rose is superb, he talks lots, he will get everybody energized,’’ Toppin mentioned. “He makes positive everybody’s doing the fitting factor. He’s been gone for a minute. To have him again is superb. Once we play collectively he controls the sport and finds the open man.’’
Toppin’s landslide victory Saturday over a frazzled subject that included Cole Anthony, Jalen Inexperienced and Juan Toscano-Anderson might assist his mojo — which has appeared low lately. Within the 4 video games main into the break, he averaged 4.5 factors in 9.5 minutes.
The Brooklyn native who turns 24 on March 4 nonetheless was flying excessive days later — touched by all of the Dayton College followers who made the 2½-hour trek to Cleveland to root him on.
“It means lots,’’ Toppin mentioned. “Quite a lot of legends have received it. For my identify to be part of it's a blessing.’’
His father, streetball legend Obadiah, who performed in Europe, was within the Cleveland area for the title. Toppin mentioned his two favourite throwdowns had been leaping over his pal Chuck whereas going behind the again and when he went between the legs, bouncing it off the backboard to slam it down.
“That’s a tough dunk I by no means seen anybody do,’’ Toppin mentioned. “[My father] knew the dunks I used to be doing earlier than. I needed to get it authorised. He’s a dunker. A dunker is aware of what a superb one seems like.’’
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