Knicks · Anyone think we will regret passing on Avidja for Toppin? (page 3)

BigDaddyG wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

ekstarks94 wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:

Chandler wrote:

smackeddog wrote:

fishmike wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Thought he was a top 3 player with different compliments for Mitch Robinson. A guy who could handle the rock shoot it from deep etc. I like Toppin but not with Robinson— I like Toppin in an open style as a 5 man. We’re not going to do that—- and unless we move Robinson( which I would not) Ithink we took the wrong guy

There were at least 4 guys I would of rather had than Toppin

who? name em... this will be fun for down the road.

I suspect: Wiseman, Nesmith, Wiseman and Nesmith

that was pretty funny! but i assume you're referring to Briggs

Can i remind everyone that Obi is ambidextrous going to the hoop.

we're talking Amar'e 2.0 vs. Hezonja 2.0. C'mon people there's plenty of room still on the Obi bandwagon

I mean all i can think of is Both Amare and Blake Griff, with all the super athleticism, suffer major knee issues.

You don't want to put that kind of pressure on him (minutes wise) to be the man every night like we did with KP and Amare (with a run your player to the ground coach in thibs) see D rose

Advija's game doesn't need him to jump out of the building to have an impact, and his IQ seems a bit higher than Obi

Both Stat & Griffen did not diversify their games solely relying on athleticism...they both could not shoot....with Stat only later in his career...both could not put it on the floor..Obi can....Deni is the type of pick that you make when you already have a stud player....because if you miss..particularly on an international player...ur done....folks looking at Luka and looking for 75% of him a heady player that can shoot...but Luka had been doing that since 15-16....on the world stage....Deni is playing in a league that is 50% of the ACB league that Luka and KP played...

Somestimes drafting is not over thinking it...particularly with this draft...take the best player .....not the best upside....

Gotta disagree with you on one thing. Outside of the range on their J's, Blake was more skilled than Obi in every way. Blake would've been the de factor #1 pick in this last draft if he came out. People focused on the dunks, but Blake was also a good playmaker.

Blake shot 10 total 3 threes in college(Obi shot 103) and didn't shoot up to 1 a game until he was 27 in the NBA. Not arguing that Obi is the better prospect. But shooting wise Obi displayed more at the same stage in games. In college Blake shot 59% from ft to Toppins 70%.

Yep, mentioned that Obi has better range on his J. But that's where it ends. Blake had a year where he averaged 6 assists a game...in the NBA. Blake was a true point forward. We're hoping Obi gets there.

Oh, I read your comment wrong. For some reason I thought u said Blake had the better J. But I also think that this could preserve Obi better. So he doesn't suffer the same fate physically.

Nalod wrote:

Jmpasq wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Thought he was a top 3 player with different compliments for Mitch Robinson. A guy who could handle the rock shoot it from deep etc. I like Toppin but not with Robinson— I like Toppin in an open style as a 5 man. We’re not going to do that—- and unless we move Robinson( which I would not) Ithink we took the wrong guy

There were at least 4 guys I would of rather had than Toppin

In the spirit of the pending holidays he might say there were Three Wisemen and one Nesmith.

that'd gold

Uptown wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Thought he was a top 3 player with different compliments for Mitch Robinson. A guy who could handle the rock shoot it from deep etc. I like Toppin but not with Robinson— I like Toppin in an open style as a 5 man. We’re not going to do that—- and unless we move Robinson( which I would not) Ithink we took the wrong guy

I had Devi higher ranked. But what does that mean? It's just a guess from my personal opinion that his skills will transition best to the NBA. I thought Deni has the "NEW NBA" stretch skill set. However, he lacks in physical play and I do not feel he had a high level of competition. So no guarantee. Felt Devi would go 3 or 4. However, also never thought Toppin would drop to us. love Toppin's physical play. Explosiveness and how he played at the NCAA level. Toppin is the kind of player that immediately puts pressure on a defense. Defenses need to know where he is at all times. Which helps other players get free. Kid is a beast. One can actually say that not only was he the safest pick but that he had the best overall performance last year and may be the best in the draft. He also is a New York kid and wants to be here. Think he will do great. Fingers crossed.

Difficult to label a guy a stretch 4 when he can't shoot...Toppin was the right call at 8.

Think despite his percentage he has good mechanics and can develop into a three point shooter. He is also a stretch due to his ability to handle the bball and create. Especially at 6'10". But you are right, if he cannot hit a three consistently he will struggle. Still feel his ceiling was higher than Toppin. But as mentioned, Happy with Toppin. Fact is, like many of these picks, Deni can reach a level between KP and Luca or between Weis and Jordan Hill. We shall see...

Definitely not worried about Avija. Skilled guy, but not exactly what we need right now and the shooting concerns are legit. Wizards are a much better fit for him. Only guy I worry about passing up on is Haliburton but Toppin is still likely the better pick because if he can figure out how to stay on the court he'll be a great player and likely the best pick of the draft tbh. Haliburton at best to me will be a glorified George Hill with better passing.

Uptown wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Thought he was a top 3 player with different compliments for Mitch Robinson. A guy who could handle the rock shoot it from deep etc. I like Toppin but not with Robinson— I like Toppin in an open style as a 5 man. We’re not going to do that—- and unless we move Robinson( which I would not) Ithink we took the wrong guy

I had Devi higher ranked. But what does that mean? It's just a guess from my personal opinion that his skills will transition best to the NBA. I thought Deni has the "NEW NBA" stretch skill set. However, he lacks in physical play and I do not feel he had a high level of competition. So no guarantee. Felt Devi would go 3 or 4. However, also never thought Toppin would drop to us. love Toppin's physical play. Explosiveness and how he played at the NCAA level. Toppin is the kind of player that immediately puts pressure on a defense. Defenses need to know where he is at all times. Which helps other players get free. Kid is a beast. One can actually say that not only was he the safest pick but that he had the best overall performance last year and may be the best in the draft. He also is a New York kid and wants to be here. Think he will do great. Fingers crossed.

Difficult to label a guy a stretch 4 when he can't shoot...Toppin was the right call at 8.

Watched his first game and as mentioned he has real good mechanics. 6 for 6 including and 3 for 3 from the 3point line. Obviously way way too early but do like his quick release and composure. Interesting to see him play off Westbrook.

All these rookies are going to struggle this year because of this covid 19 season we can't expect these rookies 20 point scores right way its not happening especially this year. This season is so short for these rookies with no summer camp, no training camp, and a short preseason these rookies going to take them a couple years to get right.

HofstraBBall wrote:

Uptown wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Thought he was a top 3 player with different compliments for Mitch Robinson. A guy who could handle the rock shoot it from deep etc. I like Toppin but not with Robinson— I like Toppin in an open style as a 5 man. We’re not going to do that—- and unless we move Robinson( which I would not) Ithink we took the wrong guy

I had Devi higher ranked. But what does that mean? It's just a guess from my personal opinion that his skills will transition best to the NBA. I thought Deni has the "NEW NBA" stretch skill set. However, he lacks in physical play and I do not feel he had a high level of competition. So no guarantee. Felt Devi would go 3 or 4. However, also never thought Toppin would drop to us. love Toppin's physical play. Explosiveness and how he played at the NCAA level. Toppin is the kind of player that immediately puts pressure on a defense. Defenses need to know where he is at all times. Which helps other players get free. Kid is a beast. One can actually say that not only was he the safest pick but that he had the best overall performance last year and may be the best in the draft. He also is a New York kid and wants to be here. Think he will do great. Fingers crossed.

Difficult to label a guy a stretch 4 when he can't shoot...Toppin was the right call at 8.

Watched his first game and as mentioned he has real good mechanics. 6 for 6 including and 3 for 3 from the 3point line. Obviously way way too early but do like his quick release and composure. Interesting to see him play off Westbrook.

Looked good...Playing with Westbrook will help him get lots of open looks. His biggest question coming into the draft was his 3-ball and freethrow shooting. So far good, but like you said its early.

Toppin will look so much better the moment we get a pg that can get him some easy looks and take advantage of his open-court skills.

Uptown wrote:Toppin will look so much better the moment we get a pg that can get him some easy looks and take advantage of his open-court skills.

Agreed. Still waiting for him to be more of a factor down low. Thought that I would see more of a post up game and bully ball from him. So far they have him set up as a stretch and putting up 3s. It's a long season/career though. Looking forward to him developing.

Wizards should be fun to watch this season, I think

smackeddog wrote:Wizards should be fun to watch this season, I think

When is the last time we could say that about he knick?

I looked at Avidja’s preseason game and he looks real good. If it were me, I would have taken the Avidja kid because he plays defense and Toppins’ defense still worries me. After seeing Toppin play, I still like Avidja better but I will not hate on the Knicks for taking Toppin. Toppin has some real skills too.

TheGame wrote:I looked at Avidja’s preseason game and he looks real good. If it were me, I would have taken the Avidja kid because he plays defense and Toppins’ defense still worries me. After seeing Toppin play, I still like Avidja better but I will not hate on the Knicks for taking Toppin. Toppin has some real skills too.

If we got cp3 ....you would think it was Nash and Stat out there....Obi has so much skill and I feel he can be dominant eventually...I don’t feel like that with Deni...you switch the picks and Wiz chose Toppin....you would want him and not Deni...

Uptown wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

Uptown wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:

BRIGGS wrote:Thought he was a top 3 player with different compliments for Mitch Robinson. A guy who could handle the rock shoot it from deep etc. I like Toppin but not with Robinson— I like Toppin in an open style as a 5 man. We’re not going to do that—- and unless we move Robinson( which I would not) Ithink we took the wrong guy

I had Devi higher ranked. But what does that mean? It's just a guess from my personal opinion that his skills will transition best to the NBA. I thought Deni has the "NEW NBA" stretch skill set. However, he lacks in physical play and I do not feel he had a high level of competition. So no guarantee. Felt Devi would go 3 or 4. However, also never thought Toppin would drop to us. love Toppin's physical play. Explosiveness and how he played at the NCAA level. Toppin is the kind of player that immediately puts pressure on a defense. Defenses need to know where he is at all times. Which helps other players get free. Kid is a beast. One can actually say that not only was he the safest pick but that he had the best overall performance last year and may be the best in the draft. He also is a New York kid and wants to be here. Think he will do great. Fingers crossed.

Difficult to label a guy a stretch 4 when he can't shoot...Toppin was the right call at 8.

Watched his first game and as mentioned he has real good mechanics. 6 for 6 including and 3 for 3 from the 3point line. Obviously way way too early but do like his quick release and composure. Interesting to see him play off Westbrook.

Looked good...Playing with Westbrook will help him get lots of open looks. His biggest question coming into the draft was his 3-ball and freethrow shooting. So far good, but like you said its early.

He also looks like he's in better shape. Deni was still playing while other prospects were stuck doing workouts. The speed of the game may take a while for Deni to get used to, but I think he's had more of running start to the season than other prospects. I was a bit disappointed that we passed on Deni, but Obi has shown some good things. I'm not as upset as I was initially. Still like Obi over Hal. I really wanted Okoro, but that was out of the organizations control. Would take none over Cade or Suggs We just have to wait and see.

Luckily, Obi outscored Deni tonight or we'd not hear the end of it

smackeddog wrote:Wizards should be fun to watch this season, I think

LOL- never listen to me!😂

Still happy woth the Toppin pick. My only real concern was Obi's lack of lateral movement. He's showing a little more with each game that he can go around defenders. With or without the ball.

Get the feeling we're going to see a much more polished player next season. Not always the case with rookies (as we've seen) Obi looks like he's going to figure things out. This season or next.

Panos wrote:Luckily, Obi outscored Deni tonight or we'd not hear the end of it

I thought Avidja looked fine. His ceiling is a poor man’s Domantas Sabonis

Still rather have Obi

Panos wrote:Luckily, Obi outscored Deni tonight or we'd not hear the end of it

Yes......

The question is “Anyone think we We will regret.....”.......
Of course “Someone will”. Isn’t this one of the purpose of UK? Demonstrate hindsight brilliance and elevate our knick self esteems by trying to promote “Told you so”?
And me, telling you that you told us so is so hypocritical and admiringly enjoyable that nothing but self-congratulatory statement will satisfy.

smackeddog wrote:

smackeddog wrote:Wizards should be fun to watch this season, I think

LOL- never listen to me!😂

nah man they checked the boxes... Beal/Westbrook *should* be a good fit surrounded by some blue collar bigs like Lopez and some fresh legs w/ Rui. Anyway they totally blow and it was a good win. Toppin is really coming along. They are coaching him up. They are working him on defense. They were really making him earn it. But now, with Rose, you guys will see why this guy was the best scorer in college. Remember this dude has moves, he's 6'9, 220, has 40" vert and a 7'4 wingspan.

Last night Thibs spoke highly of Toppin's progress and suggested he might be part of a minutes solution for who gets Mitch's 30ish