Obi Toppin discusses joining the Indiana Pacers, how he will fit in, and more
LAS VEGAS — Obi Toppin was made for this version of the Indiana Pacers.
The 25-year old forward was traded to the Pacers earlier this week for two second-round draft picks. After three seasons of having an inconsistent role in the big apple, the athletic forward joins an Indiana team that is looking to take the next steps toward contention.
On paper, he is an excellent fit. Head coach Rick Carlisle has mentioned Toppin's effective field goal percentage in transition multiple times already, and that is the area of the game where Toppin sees himself gelling with his new team.
"They play fast. I feel like that fits my game," Toppin said. He expanded on that thinking later.
"It's no secret, everybody knows what I do best on the court, run the floor. Energy guy," he said. "This is a young group who likes to run, one of the fastest teams, if not the fastest, in the league."
Toppin averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this past season, but he only played 15.7 minutes per game. That's been a theme throughout Toppin's career, there haven't been as many opportunities as some predicted for the former lottery pick.
He played for fewer than 10 minutes in nine different outings last year. In 26 instances (39% of his total games) he saw less than 13 minutes of action. The New York Knicks, his old team, were chasing wins and opted to play veterans. But that hurt Toppin's growth.
With the Pacers, that won't be the case. In a power forward rotation that features Jarace Walker and Jordan Nwora, there should be plenty of minutes for the Brooklyn native.
"Nothing is going to be handed to me. Everything is going to have to be worked for," Toppin said of opportunities in Indiana. He hasn't talked yet with head coach Rick Carlisle about expectations, but he knows the conversation is coming. "That's what I'm going to do as soon as I step foot down there in indy... when that opportunity comes, it's going to be fun."
The Dayton product has had some of his best career games against the Pacers. He had 34 points, seven rebounds, and five assists against the blue and gold in late April, and that was just four days after a 32 point, three rebound, six assist outing. Toppin was given more chances as New York had locked up playoff positioning, and he made the most of it.
His talents now transfer to the team that he punished just three months ago.
"I'm super excited to be here. It's a lot of great guys here, great coaches," he said. Toppin noted over and over again how excited he is about the new opportunity and having fun with a younger group.
"I feel like this fresh start for me is going to be great... I can't wait to get started," he said.
A fresh start could be perfect for the developing Toppin. He's had impressive outings against Indiana and shines in transition, where he ranked in the 79th percentile offensively last season. As noted above, that makes him a great fit. But he needs to work on his other skills.
His outside shot, while improving, still needs work. He's only had more than three assists in a game eight times in his career. Defensively, his athleticism helps, but he has a lot of room to grow. Toppin is still a developing talent entering his fourth season.
The Pacers will hope that more opportunities, and consistent ones specifically, will help him grow in those areas. "Nobody's perfect, so [threre's] always room for improvement in every aspect of the game. I want to be a sponge this year," Toppin said. He wants to learn and get better this coming season.
It's a contract year for the forward. He's entering the final season of his four-year rookie contract, and he could be a restricted free agent after the deal ends. If the Pacers want to keep him long term, they can. But Toppin will have to earn it.
"All I'm going to do is let my work speak for itself... I'm going to work for everything I'm going to get in the future," he said.
Toppin was a member of the 2020 NBA Draft class, as were current Pacers Tyrese Haliburton, Jalen Smith, Aaron Nesmith, and Nwora. The newly acquired forward knows most everybody a little bit, and he pointed out past interactions with Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Buddy Hield when asked about who he knew well on the roster.
It isn't known if Toppin will start right away or not. He and Walker both have strong cases. But he'll get minutes either way, and he will boost the Pacers excellent transition play. Even if he is still a developing player, he's in the perfect setting for his future.
Carlisle and his staff will try to get the most out of Toppin, but his success could come naturally as a result of pairing him with Indiana's All-Star point guard. "Super excited to get out here, get some leakout dunks. You know Tyrese [Haliburton] is going to pass it," he said with a smile. Obi Toppin could be smiling a lot in his new situation.
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