The New York Knicks drafted Obi Toppin with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft and ESPN personality and die-hard Knicks fan Stephen A. Smith didn't totally hate the pick.
However, Smith—as passionate as they come—wanted the Knicks to draft a guard since New York has a lot of power forwards on the roster already.
I like Obi Toppin a lot. I really really do. He’s from NY. He’s gonna rep the city. I have no doubt. But the Knicks needed a guard! pic.twitter.com/Kf39n5YNsl
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 19, 2020
Obi Toppin averaged 21.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for Dayton in 2019-20. He shot 63.3 percent from the field, 39.0 percent from beyond the arc and 70.2 percent from the free throw line. Toppin grew up in Ossining, New York.
The Knicks haven't had a winning record or made the playoffs since 2013. New York fans are hoping new president of basketball operations Leon Rose and head coach Tom Thibodeau can be the duo to bring the franchise back to prominence despite James Dolan being universally recognized as the worst owner in sports.
As currently constructed, the Knicks have Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox, Julius Randle, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis and RJ Barrett in the frontcourt. Thibodeau doesn't like playing rookies, but the logjam in New York will have to change moving forward.
It was special to watch Toppin react to getting drafted by his hometown team with his mom right next to him. The high-flyer now has to prove Stephen A. Smith wrong.
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