The New York Knicks got their first taste of action for the new season, as they took on the Detroit Pistons in a preseason matchup on Friday. It was also the debut of New York rookie Obi Toppin, who himself spoke about his first experience of real NBA action since being selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.
Toppin, who finished with 11 points (on 4-of-9 shooting), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 20 minutes off the bench, expressed how memorable his first game for the Knicks was:
“I felt great,” Toppin said after the game, via Alex Smith of Yahoo Sports. “It was amazing. It still feels unreal, but our guys did what he had to do today to pull the W. [Julius Randle] helped me every step of the way with personnel, and I felt like with the guys on the court, everybody did a great job.”
The Knicks emerged with a 90-84 win over the Pistons, with RJ Barrett (15 points, five rebounds), Julius Randle (11 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two steals), and Elfrid Payron (10 points, six rebounds, seven assists) all playing well for New York.
As for Obi Toppin, the 22-year-old admitted that there was a split-second of doubt the moment he had his number called.
“I wouldn't say (nerves) hit me, but it was kind of a shock as soon as coach called my name and told me to go to scorer’s table. I was like, ‘Uh oh, it's my time,'” the new Knicks forward added. “I wasn't really nervous or scared just because I knew everybody else would pick me up. I just went out there and did what I do best, and that’s play basketball.”
For what it's worth, Toppin did not look nervous in his debut, as he made an instant impact the moment he entered the court. The 6-foot-9 forward scored nine points and collected five boards in a 10-minute span during the first half.
More of the same will be expected of the former Dayton standout when the Knicks return to action on Sunday in a rematch against Detroit.
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