Indiana Pacers forward Obi toppin meets with fans at the NBPA Brotherhood Deli in Indianapolis on February 17, 2024. (Mandatory Photo Credit: NBPA)
Obi Toppin's stop at NBPA Brotherhood Deli 'great' part of All-Star weekend for Pacers forward
INDIANAPOLIS — Obi Toppin's first NBA All-Star weekend as an Indiana Pacers player is a busy one. Now with the blue and gold in Indianapolis after a 2023 offseason trade, all of the All-Star events are in his playing city. His brother, Jacob, is participating in the Dunk Contest, an event that Obi won in 2022. Many Pacers teammates are in other events that Toppin has attended. He's been engaged in just about everything.
Yet one of his favorite events had little to do with basketball. Toppin, a 25-year old forward, made his way over to Circle Centre Mall on Saturday to check out the NBPA Brotherhood Deli, a pop-up shop on the second floor of the mall.
"I heard that there was a New Yorker. Obviously, me being from New York, being out in Indy we don't have too many Deli's out here. So when I heard that the Brotherhood Deli was going to come over to Indy, I had to support," Toppin told AllPacers.
He made his way to the shop near lunchtime, as did other NBA players throughout Saturday. The NBPA Brotherhood Deli has food and drink samples, cocktail experiences, merchandise, and more. It has a lot to offer.
The NBPA Brotherhood Deli with fans shopping on February 17, 2024 during NBA All-Star Weekend. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Tony East)
The NBPA Brotherhood Deli is a pop-up shop that gives fans an opportunity to shop and discover brands founded by, invested in, respected, or endorsed by NBPA members — the players. Throughout the weekend, the NBPA Brotherhood Deli has featured player appearances, daily happy hours, giveaways, and an all-new collection of limited-edition merchandise.
Toppin showed up for one of those player visits. He chatted with fans, tried some food, and took in everything the deli had to offer. "I had a great time over there. I met some fans, some great fans," Toppin explained. He couldn't help himself when it came to talking about the food. "Had a couple chopped cheeses. I didn't think it was going to be up to par as a real New York Deli, but it surprised me. Those chopped cheeses over there were really good."
The four-year pro tried the beef and cheese, and he said he would recommend it to anybody. Toppin went out of his way to tell the owner that he would go out to his location in Hollywood.
Throughout the weekend, Toppin has made tons of appearances. Friday night, he was at the Rising Stars action cheering on his teammates. Pacers youngsters Bennedict Mathurin and Oscar Tshiebwe participated, with Mathurin winning the event and taking home MVP.
Toppin also attended the NBA 2K League Alley and has spent some time with his brother. They played against each other for the first time as pros earlier this season.
Obi wouldn't share if he has any involvement in his brother's Dunk Contest routine. "I'm not going to speak on the dunk contest. It's his. I'm going to let him talk about all that," the older brother said. "But I'm definitely going to be there. Present for it. I've got to watch lil' bro win that dunk contest tonight."
Add it to the list of things Toppin is up to this weekend, and he wants to attend the All-Star game as well. He's been busy soaking up everything he can in his city.
"It's awesome. Definitely the attention it brings to the city," the Pacers forward said of All-Star weekend in Indianapolis. "This city is a basketball city, so having All-Star [weekend] here and seeing everybody come here is amazing. I've met a lot of people and it's just been a great experience."
The NBPA Brotherhood Deli with fans shopping on February 17, 2024 during NBA All-Star Weekend. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Tony East)
Toppin loves being around the game of basketball, so spending this much time around other pros and fans has been refreshing. He's averaging 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game this season for the Pacers.
"It's been amazing. Got to go to the Rising Stars game yesterday, see [Bennedict Mathurin] win MVP, go crazy," Toppin shared of his All-Star weekend.
Once all of the festivities are over, Toppin will have a very short break before Indiana gets back to it early this week. They are currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and hope to be playing games well beyond the regular season.
"We understand the talent that we have, we've just got to grow as a team, listen to what the coaches are telling us to do, and just be ourselves," Toppin said of the Pacers and their upcoming stretch of play. "We put the league on notice on what type of team we can be, and we've got this second half of the season coming up. We want to be a playoff contending team."
For that to happen, Indiana will need to be more consistent. They've had up-and-down results for about a month now. But this time off will help the team get healthy and recharge ahead of an important postseason push.
Toppin is using his time off to stay around the game at All-Star weekend. He's been occupied, and the highlight of it all was the chopped cheese and fan interactions he had at the NBPA Brotherhood Deli. Given Toppin's personality, that isn't surprising at all.
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