New York Knicks: How they should use Obi Toppin next season

New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin admitted that he struggled to find a foothold in the team’s offensive system last season. Toppin told reporters on February 5th that he was having difficulty finding his strengths within the team’s offense. Unfortunately, Toppin’s struggles have a lot to do with how the Knicks used him last season.

Let’s take a look at the catalyst behind the struggles of New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin during his rookie campaign

The team primarily used Toppin off the ball. For instance, Toppin was standing at the top of the key during a lone game against San Antonio late in the first quarter. He went over to set a screen for Immanuel Quickley on the right-wing, but Quickley rejected it. Consequently, Toppin just popped out and stood behind the arc, on the right-wing, until Quickley passed him the ball to shoot a three.

These plays contributed to Toppin spending 35.8 percent of his possessions as a spot-up shooter, averaging 1.4 per game. Toppin struggled in his spot-up shooter opportunities, only converting 38.8 percent of his attempts on 1.3 shots per game.

The inefficiency in his spot-up shooting possessions only allowed Toppin to average 2 points per game in these possessions. Spot ups would account for nearly 50 percent of his production as he averaged 4.1 points per game.

Toppin’s struggles indicate that the New York Knicks should have used him differently. For instance, Toppin’s skillset strengths lie in transition or inside the arc. Toppin shot 75.4 percent in transition during the first 25 games of his final season at Dayton University on 2.3 shots. He averaged 3.9 points in transition.

Toppin was able to complement his transition work with success as a roll man and in the low post. Toppin averaged 1.3 high pick and rolls per game, shooting 55.2 percent on 1.2 shots. He averaged 1.5 points per game as a roll man in high pick-and-roll situations.

On the other hand, Toppin dominated in the low post, converting 54.5 percent of his shots on 3.1 attempts for 4.2 points per game. His work in transition, pick and rolls, and low post, contributed to him making 82.8 percent of his shots at the rim during his final season at Dayton on 6.5 attempts per game. He averaged 10.8 points at the rim, 54 percent of his production.

More from New York Knicks

• NBA Trades: This swing-for-the-fences deal is a must for the Knicks
• Ranking Leon Rose’s three best and worst moves as Knicks President
• New York Knicks: Why Julius Randle is essential for the Knicks
• Should the Knicks trade up into the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft?
• Knicks 2023 offseason primer: free agents, trades, draft needs and more

Unfortunately, Toppin was rarely put in these situations during his rookie season with the Knicks. He only was in transition for 14.8 percent of his possessions as he averaged 0.6 per game. Toppin had the same experience in the pick and roll and in the post, as they accounted for 9.1 percent of his possessions as he averaged 0.4 per game, respectively, in each category.

The Knicks’ decision to keep Toppin away from the basket led to him only shooting 67.8 percent in the restricted area on 1.5 attempts per game. He would average 2 points per game in the restricted area during his rookie season.

Although the New York Knicks didn’t put him in those situations, it doesn’t mean that they can’t in the future as they have a template with Julius Randle. Randle spent 9 percent of his possessions last year as a roll man, averaging 2.2 per game.

Randle took advantage of these roll-man opportunities by shooting 49.6 percent from the field on 1.9 shots per game. The field goal percentage helped him average 2.5 points per game. He was able to supplement as a roll man by being in the low post. Randle spent 17.9 percent of his possessions in the post, averaging 4.2 per game.

Like Randle’s roll man possessions, he was able to thrive in the low post, shooting 46.7 percent from the field on 3 shots. He was able to average 3.9 points per game in the post last season. If the Knicks bring in Toppin as Randle’s substitute and use him the same way, he should have a much better season.

However, if the Knicks choose not to use Toppin similarly to Randle, he will likely have the same season as his rookie campaign.