The Indiana Pacers missed having Obi Toppin on the court during his four-month absence due to a foot injury, but it didn't take long for him to remind the team exactly what he brings to the table.
During Sunday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Toppin recorded four points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals in just 11 minutes. The Brooklyn native has developed into a very well-rounded player since the Pacers traded for him nearly three years ago, and he has been a big part of their recent success and will also play a big role in their long-term championship hunt.
After Sunday's game, head coach Rick Carlisle spoke about Toppin and what he brings to the table that makes him such a "special player."
"He's a special player," Rick Carlisle said about Obi Toppin. "He impacts the game in a lot of ways. His rebounding has really improved. His defense has really improved. And then the running and the natural movement and feel and his length, he sets a low-side screen, rolls, guys have confidence to throw it to him because he'll just go up and get it. Then he's able to make a split-second decision."
Obi Toppin has developed into a tremendous Pacer
Toppin spent the first three seasons of his NBA career with the New York Knicks before getting sent to Indiana as a bit of a castaway. The Dayton alum was decent with the Knicks, but it was mostly due to the energy he brought. And given that he was the eighth overall pick in 2020, this was a big concern.
During his time in New York, Toppin averaged 7 points and 3 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field and 32.5% from deep in 14.7 minutes. This was across 201 games (including 15 starts). Toppin wasn't a shooter, defender, or rebounder. And if he wasn't getting to the basket, he didn't provide much value.
But that has changed greatly since joining the Pacers, and he has become an instrumental part of their success.
In his first two seasons with the Pacers, Toppin averaged 10.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 55.1% from the field and 38.3% from deep in 20.3 minutes. Additionally, he became a much more impactful defender and now provides a bit of value in every area of the game. He has also been a fantastic small-ball center for Indiana, which is a role he might continue to have moving forward.
The soon-to-be 28-year-old has developed into a legitimate gem in Indiana. He has taken his game to the next level, and he will continue to be a big part of the Pacers' plans as they look to compete for a championship next year and beyond.