Alex Golden and Michael Facci (aka Obi Toppin super fan) react to the Pacers stealing away the 8th overall pick from the New York Knicks for two second round picks.
The guys discuss how Toppin fits into the Pacers system, what he brings to this team that it was lacking, how an opportunity like this could be just the break he needs and what to expect from the 3-year power forward, who is heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
27 Comments
Excited about Obi. Hopefully he is the wan.
Hali-Ooppin'
Thanks for explaining what Jermaine O'Neal means in regards to Pacers trade history. He was super talented but buried on a win now roster. He turned into a franchise great which is always the hope when you trade for a talent that just needs opportunity.
It was bound to happen after Thibs and Obi almost fought with each other. We all saw what happened to Reddish when thibs doesn't like you. He's either going to straight up bench you or, put you in limited rolls and rolls they probably aren't the best at. Thibs "Never" took advantage of Obi's crazy athletic ability. So this trade is all on Thibs, he just wanted Obi out and he got his wish. Hence why the trade package to acquire Toppin was so low. As a long time Knicks fan, it was a painful process to watch unfold.
Obi will be great for the Pacers. In 15 starts 21pts on 57% from the field and 44% from three.
Knicks gave up on Toppin because him and Thibs didn't see eye to eye and that worked out amazingly for us.
Can yall confirm any reports on mathurin growing and inch, ive seen ppl saying it, but havent heard any actual reports on it?
Hopefully we can get OG at the small forward and make a run in the playoffs
Looking good Alex… love the Obi pick
Good Pacers coverage is appreciated
I am excited about the Pacers upcoming season… I think we will be very competitive in both the East and West. This team could rank up there with the team of Reggie Miller, the Davis boys, and Rik Smits… Talk me off the cliff if I am wrong…
I watch almost all OBI knicks games and I’m telling you ,you guys got a steal and I’m pissed we got ripped off but great for obi he will be 18-20 ppg and 7-9 RPG first year
I’m a knick fan and was pisses when we gave up obi . If given minutes obi is a guaranteed 15-18 ppg and 8-10 boards a game . He’s an extremely high energy high engine player that is a load to deal with at the rim . I think you guys have a stud .
As a knick fan, I will be watching more Pacers games just to watch obi. he was playing behind randle his whole career and we all knew the trade was coming. not to mention thibs didnt even use him right and he was still fairly efficient. sucks because even we knew how good obi can be. many fans wanted to move off randle just to start obi because he is 100% starter level talent. i commend our front office for getting him to a team with great opportunity and system that fits him. ik hell be great for the pacers especially with hali.
i will say tho, i dont appreciate the harsh words about us not being able to develop because weve done a good job recently. Obi is the outlier. the front office couldnt predict randle to be all star/all nba hence why they drafted obi. theres not many PFs in this league thatll get minutes over randle. also both mitch rob and RJ are on second contracts. Grimes is a very good 2way starter and IQ is about to get his second contract. not to mention our 2 second rounders mcbride and jericho are actually quality players on good contracts. no hard feelings tho
Starters
PG Haliburton
SG Mathurin
SF Bruce Brown
PF Obi Toppin
C Turner
Bench
PG Nembhard
SG Buddy
SF Nesmith
PF Walker
C Jackson/Smith
Good things happen to good people Obi will be just fine in Indy.
Pacer nation. I’m a long time knick fan since 1969. I will always be a Knick fan, but I’m following obi to Indy! GO PACERS! Knicks will regret this trade! To hell with thibbs, Randall and dribble dribble dribble shoot Brunson. Indy in the eastern conference finals 😊
Pacers +50 wins.
His chip is the size of a NYC block!
KNicks had to either choose Toppin or Randle… No way they can justify moving a 25-10 guy out on that contract. OB is a good player and he's going to do well there but he's not better than Julius Randle. And that's why they made the decision. And they want to give him a chance to earn his money so this is a good move for him. So far the Knicks have hit in the second round so I see why did it .
I'm a Knicks fan and I hate this trade! Your going to love obi toppin!
Put obi in the post and you will have a beast
What hurts the most is he is a fellow native New Yorker, screwed over by a dodo bird coach, a narcissistic owner, an over rated front office. Obi balled out in the cage in New York City. If you are a punk, you can’t game out in the cage. Pacer fans, obi will be to the pacers, what Bernard king was to the Knicks when he was traded from golden state. Stephen a smith will be crying over this all next year. BOOK IT! WHERE DO I BUY HIS JERSEY!
OB was a good kNick Fan fav; he will definitely be missed.
Knick fan here. I will be rooting for Pacers. You got Obi for nothing. Easily a 20 and 10 player on any given night. Take care of my sweet boy 😥
This was a such a bad trade on our part mix nation we drop the bag
Now just trade Isaiah Jackson. Sign Willy Hernangomez, JaVonte Green and Derrick Jones Jr.! D, athleticism, dunks. Knockdown shots. I.Q big, paint game, 3 ball game, some dribble, pass game and always knows where to be. Steal.. Get the I.Q big with intangibles and add two crazy transition players who get scrap on D, get boards, transition dunks and 3s. Perfect, start next season.