Obi Toppin has been just about as good as Indiana Pacers fans could have asked for since his return from a foot injury that kept him out for four months.
In his 14 games since returning, the Dayton alum has averaged 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 53.8% from the field and 35.2% from deep. He has also averaged just 15 minutes per game since, and he has logged at least 20 minutes in a game just once (nearly 23 minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers on Mar. 27).
Fans should be happy with the way Toppin has played since his return, but it's also clear there is still another level for him to jump. He even confirmed as much (h/t Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star).
"It's not frustrating," Toppin said after a practice last week. "Obviously, we're doing it for a reason. I trust coach's judgment always. He's been doing this for a long time and we have the best trainers in the world. Whatever they say, I'm going to do. I feel good out there. I know I had like 20 minutes (against the Lakers). I felt really good, but I'm still getting back. I don't feel like I'm 100 percent back yet. I'm still getting back, getting my feet under me and still getting that feel."
Obi Toppin will be a big part of the Pacers' success from here on out
What makes Toppin so valuable in Indiana is the energy he brings, his ability to play small-ball center, and his improving all-around game.
When the Pacers acquired him from the New York Knicks for two second-round picks (!!) during the 2023 offseason, Toppin was just an athletic freak who could dunk the ball at will and could sometimes put the ball in the basket.
He couldn't shoot, rebound, or defend on a consistent basis, and it was going to be tough for him to get real minutes behind a guy like Julius Randle, even though New York selected him with the eighth pick in the 2020 draft. All of this led to him being a buy-low trade candidate for Indiana, and nearly three years later, the team couldn't be happier about the decision.
Toppin has been fantastic with the Pacers and is going to be a big part of their success moving forward. Not only has he developed an outside game (he is shooting 37.4% from deep in parts of three seasons with the team), but he has also become a pretty reliable defender and has improved as an off-ball cutter and rebounder.
The Brooklyn native is a fantastic fit in the Pacers' system because of his athleticism, spacing, and high motor. And as they look to re-establish themselves as title contenders from here on out, Toppin is going to continue to play a big role.