IndyStar's Dustin Dopirak recently suggested that the Indiana Pacers may be at their best this season with Obi Toppin at center. It would be a bit strange, but it might ultimately be the team's best move as it looks to address their looming center problem.
"Right now, I think it is," Dopirak said about whether the Pacers' best version has Toppin at center. "It's kind of when they used to talk about the Warriors as having the 'death lineup' when you had Draymond [Green] at the 5, Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] and [Kevin] Durant...they used to call it the 'death lineup' of, like, 'Okay, you can't guard this.'"
"Whether it can defend or not, whatever, but they'll just run you out of the gym. ... I think there is a 'death lineup' with Obi Toppin in it that I think can be very productive."
Toppin shouldn't be Indiana's starting center, but playing him at the position a lot more might ultimately be its best option.
The Pacers lost Myles Turner in the offseason after he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. This move was a bit of a shock as it was seen as a foregone conclusion that he would just remain with the team. He had already been in Indiana for 10 years, and the team was fresh off an NBA Finals appearance.
Regardless, the Pacers have since been forced to pivot and focus on Plan B.
It's not ideal, but as it stands, the Pacers have four centers on the roster to help replace Turner's value: Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley as they look to run a center-by-committee. This can work, but it's not ideal, and the team already saw just how bad their center situation can get.
The Pacers likely know that this isn't their long-term solution. If they want to re-establish themselves as legitimate title contenders, they need a single Turner replacement they can count on.
It almost certainly won't be Toppin, but this season is going to be all about experimentation for Indiana at the center spot. The team is already planning on getting funky with it, and the Brooklyn native is already expected to play some more small-ball center anyway.
This decision would be a bit unorthodox, given that Toppin is not primarily a center. Even so, this could be a great role for him, and it could help the Pacers unlock a new level of their offense.
Playing Obi Toppin primarily at center could be a sneaky great idea
The Golden State Warriors used to run a "death lineup" as a way for them to get their best players on the court at one time. It didn't matter if they sacrificed things like defense, size, etc., because of how dominant they were offensively.
Running a similar lineup, particularly in clutch situations, could make the Pacers' already amazing offensive system even better. However, like Dopirak mentioned, this is an incredibly risky decision as it can backfire if it's utilized too long or often.
Toppin can't defend or rebound at a high level (though he has improved on the boards, averaging a career-high 4 rebounds per game last season), especially if he's constantly up against traditional centers who have a size advantage. Even so, there is a lot to like about Toppin as a small-ball center.
He is incredibly athletic and provides a lot of energy on the court. Additionally, he can help stretch the floor (he is shooting 38.3% from deep as a Pacer) and push the tempo. All of this is important in a "death lineup," especially for a team like the Pacers, who utilize a run-and-gun offense.
Furthermore, playing the Dayton alum at center should also open the door up for Jarace Walker to get some more minutes this season.
Walker showed flashes during his first two seasons with the Pacers, but he was never able to get consistent opportunities. A lot of that is because of Toppin standing in his way, but that shouldn't be the case this season.
The Pacers have a lot of questions to answer this season, and most of them have to do with their center situation. They have a few options as they look to replace Turner. But, at least for this season, their best option may be Toppin, who should be ready to silence his doubters in a major way.