Mike Vorkunov: Knicks announce their Summer League roster. A few highlights: — Kevin Knox is on it — Rokas Jokubaitis will play — Luca Vildoza on it — Immanuel Quickley + Obi Toppin will play — Vets Justin Patton, Wayne Selden, Tyler Hall — Undrafted rookies: MJ Walker, Aamir Simms, Reid Travis
Obi Toppin Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: F
Born: 03/04/98
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:220 lbs. / 99.8 kg.
Salary: $5,105,160
Born: 03/04/98
Height: 6-9 / 2.06
Weight:220 lbs. / 99.8 kg.
Salary: $5,105,160
Obi Toppin took a few days off at the end of the Knicks season to get off his feet and re-charge. After three or four days away from the gym, Toppin returned to the Knicks practice facility to work with coaches and some of his teammates. He seems motivated to take a big step forward in 2021-22. “I’m working really hard in this offseason to be better for my second season coming up. And it’s going to be a lot different than the first season,” Toppin said Wednesday night after practice with the USA Men’s Select Team in Las Vegas.
Toppin, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, was asked on Wednesday if his postseason play gave him more confidence heading into the offseason. “It definitely was a confidence booster. I felt myself getting better,” Toppin said. “But at the same time, I feel like it was just the work that I was putting in every single day before that and I just stuck to what I know. My teammates had confidence in me and had confidence that I was going to do what I had to do on the court.”
The coaching staff felt Toppin was hurt more than many rookies by not having a summer league before his rookie year because he played in the smaller Atlantic 10 Conference against schools such as Fordham. “I’m definitely looking forward to summer league to get an opportunity to showcase what I’ve been working on,’’ said Toppin, who shot just 30.6 percent from 3-point range. “Me and Quick and everyone else playing, we are going to do great.’’
Ian Begley: Obi Toppin says he took a couple days off after the season but then started working with NYK coaches at the practice facility. Immanuel Quickley & other players were there. Toppin says of his second NBA season, “It’s going to be a lot different than the first season.”
“Obi’s played well,” Thibodeau said. “At this point, playing well means you’re going to play more. I’m very pleased with his season overall. But each day he’s gotten better. He’s played very well in the playoffs.”
