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All week and all day long, the anticipation was building, and the question was still; who were the Knicks going to draft? All eyes were on a point guard. Were they going to move up to snag LaMelo? Do they go for Tyrese Haliburton or Killian Hayes? All analysts assumed the Knicks were looking for a point guard in the draft. That was until the Knicks stated that the starting point guard was going to be addressed in the "trade and free-agent market". Oh boy!
The waiting game was turning into nerves. Was that 8th overall pick going to be shipped to Houston for Russell Westbrook? Who would fall to the eighth pick for the Knicks? We spoke with Jeff Goodman, basketball analyst, a few weeks back; and he said: "the Knicks should take the best available player." Who in my mind is the best available player after the top-three in Edwards, Weisman, and Ball? Obi Toppin.
As anticipated, Woj dropped a breadcrumb. A bomb of all breadcrumbs.
My palms were sweaty, my knees weak, and my arms were heavy. Then, Shams Charania confirmed the exciting news.
OBI TOPPIN IS A NEW YORK KNICK, LET'S GO!
The consensus first-team All-American, National College Player of the Year, and A-10 Player of the year was viewed as one of the best offensive options in the entire draft class. He has great size (6-foot-9 and 220 pounds), with very explosive power and a solid shooter from beyond the arch. Last year, he averaged 20 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 rebounds on over 60% shooting.
The New York native has been compared to Blake Griffin and Amar'e Stoudemire. Not bad young buck! He needs to work on his defense, but ultimately he is a top talent and will be a huge addition to the roster. The Knicks now have an amazing young core of Toppin, RJ Barrett, and Mitchell Robinson. The future is bright for the New York Knicks!
Welcome home, Obi Toppin! Let's get it!