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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nb...New York Knicks (A-). Much can be made about New York passing up on several elite guards to bolster a lackluster backcourt, especially when there’s a logjam in the frontcourt. But general manager Scott Perry made the right call in picking national college basketball player of the year Obi Toppin at No. 8. Toppin was a top-four talent that fell to New York and he’s the ideal fit for the lights of Madison Square Garden —New York native, a highlight-reel dunker, and a hard-working player who can play 38 minutes a game right away. New York’s other pick, Immanuel Quickley of Kentucky at No. 25 (after a trade) , wasn't a home run. But not many are that late in the draft.
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https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/2020-...
8. New York Knicks: PF Obi Toppin, Dayton
The Knicks obviously need a lot, but that fan base will love this guy. They desperately want something to be excited about. Toppin can be that. I would not have taken him first overall, but he should not have dropped this far and should be the favorite for rookie of the year. Grade: A+
Loser: Julius Randle
There have been reports that Randle isn't long for New York since the moment Leon Rose took over, and the Knicks' selection of Obi Toppin -- another offense-first, undersized big man -- with the No. 8 pick seems to make that more likely.
The good news for New York: Toppin can shoot, so he's not a terrible offensive fit with R.J. Barrett and center Mitchell Robinson.
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https://nypost.com/2020/11/19/nba-draft-...
New York Knicks
No. 8: Obi Toppin, SF/PF, Dayton
No. 25: Immanuel Quickley, PG, Kentucky
The Knicks didn’t have to trade up, after all, to get Brooklyn’s own Toppin. He was the best player in college basketball last year and brings an offensive punch that needs some work on defense. They later turned the No. 27 and 38 picks into No. 25 and a future second-round pick, hoping Quickley is the latest Kentucky standout to star in the NBA.
Grade: B+
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https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news...
8. Knicks — Obi Toppin, Dayton, Forward
Toppin was the best player in college basketball last season. He's a great scorer and a monster above the rim.
Defense is going to be a problem for the Knicks. At this point, though, they are just going for talent, as Toppin, RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson are the only foundational pieces.
Grade: B
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https://www.si.com/nba/2020/11/19/nba-dr...
New York Knicks: C+
There’s a lot to love about Obi Toppin, who by all accounts seems to be a high-character guy. Toppin will bring immediate professionalism to New York, and he should make a considerable offensive impact as a rookie. But does Toppin really represent the chance at a franchise anchor? The Dayton product is 22 years old, and he joins a crowded backcourt with no true point guard. Perhaps Toppin’s offensive polish can overcome the roster construction issues. But New York—and its young talent—will continue to be hampered by the lack of any legitimate floor general.
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https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2020/11/18/...
8. New York Knicks - Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
Grade: B
Toppin was widely expected to be off the board by No. 8, and the Knicks are reportedly thrilled to have him fall. Why not? As a redshirt sophomore, Toppin was the most dominant player in college basketball and an incredible finisher at the rim who also made major strides with his jump shot. He could be awesome offensively, provided New York can find a way to replicate the pristine four-out spacing Toppin played within at Dayton. All of his questions come defensively. Toppin can’t anchor the defense at center and he doesn’t have the quickness to defend new-age fours. The Knicks will need a team of determined defenders around him, but his offensive ceiling is so high that this seems like a perfectly fine pick even if New York had a bigger need at guard.
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https://www.theringer.com/2020/11/18/215...
8. New York Knicks: Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
Toppin was the best player in college basketball last season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything at the next level. He’s an elite interior scorer with a good feel for the game. Few would dispute that. Here’s the issue: he’s simply not a good defensive player, which means that he needs to be paired with someone who can protect the rim and open up the floor for him on offense. But Mitchell Robinson, the best prospect on the Knicks’ roster, also needs floor spacing around him. Toppin will have to develop as a perimeter offensive player to make the pair fit. He has the ability to do that, but the excitement about him comes from the way he finishes around the rim, not the way he shoots 3s or takes guys off the dribble.
Grade: C
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https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2918...
8. New York Knicks: Obi Toppin, F, Dayton
Grade: A
It's somewhat rare to see that grade attached to the New York Knicks, but this was about as good of a situation as they could have imagined while remaining at No. 8. Toppin is a super athlete, but he's also very talented and versatile offensively. Aside from maybe Edwards, he's the most NBA-ready prospect in this group.
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https://theathletic.com/2192601/2020/11/...
Pick: 8
Team: Knicks | Player: Obi Toppin | 6-9 forward/center | 230 | 22, sophomore | Dayton
Vecenie’s scouting report: Toppin is a dominant offensive player. His role is tailor made for the modern NBA on offense as a pick-and-roll threat. He will score points and can even handle it and pass, too. But where you fall on Toppin ultimately comes down to how much you think his defensive game can improve. He’s a mismatch problem for his team on both ends. He’s one of the few guys in this class with legitimate 20-point-per-game upside, but he has to improve his defense in space to succeed.
Ranking: No. 8
Hollinger’s team fit: The Knicks just need talent and Toppin is a brilliant offensive player, one who can shoot 3s, run the floor, and score in the post. Defensively, he needs work, and a performance team that can loosen his hips and lower his high base. At 22, he’s an older player, but he’s also a late bloomer.
I would have picked…
Vecenie: Toppin or Haliburton| Hollinger: Toppin
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/draft/
Draft Grade: B-
Pre-Draft Rank: 4
Sch/Ctry: Dayton
Height: 6' 9"
Weight: 220
Yahoo Sports Commentary
New York passed on drafting a point guard for Toppin, one of the most exciting players in college basketball last year as well as one of the most consistent. At 22 years old, he is one of the older players in this draft, but Toppin has great size and athleticism and can help a struggling Knicks team.
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