fishmike wrote:

Uptown wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:I hate to say it but my crystal ball shows Obi Toppin. I hope not but that would be such a Knick move.

Obi's defense or lack thereof will prevent teams from drafting him in the top 3, but @ 8, he is great value. He will be the best offensive player on this team the moment he is drafted. Every single player that will be drafted 1-60 comes with major question marks and red flags...Not many can step right in and drop 20 pts on December 23rd.

He's also a good long term fit next to Mitch who may or may not be offensively retarded, jury is out. We do know on offense that front line would be wildly athletic, absolutely insane in transition...

My dream draft day would be Obi falls to us at 8 and we are able to move up and add Maxsey somehow. Frank and Mitch are experienced enough to play meaningful defensive roles in whatever Thibs comes up with next year. RJ has the motor, size and desire but has a lot to learn on both sides of the ball. Still VERY high on RJ to become something like a Caron Butler/Jimmy Butler hybrid. Adding Obi/Maxsey would inject elite speed in the formula.

Obi has the chops to be a top tier scorer. You just cant ask for more at 8. I like him more than Ball/Edwards in the top of the draft. I would want no part of those guys if I am picking in the top 3.

Obi's inside outside + power/speed game reminds me of Larry Johnson coming out of UNLV playing for the Hornets. LJ was strong and Obi is longer but they both could just overwhelm you anywhere.

I dont see anyway he gets past the Hawks or Cavs but who knows? There are some mocks that him his dropping. If some of these teams fall in love with Patrick WIlliams or the euro kid Deni than Obi could drop. What a phucking stroke of luck that would be IMO

I pretty much agree with everything you said here...As uncertain as most of these prospects are, one thing is for certain, Obi will be one of if not the best scorer in the class baring injury.

Would love to add Obi and Maxey to this team as they would force us to play faster and we would be more athletic. But, I can't see Obi being available at 8 and I definitely don't see Maxey still being on the board at 23. I think the purpose of the trade today was to package both 8 and 23 to move up and grab Obi. Possibly at 5 with the Cavs pick.

BigDaddyG wrote:

Chandler wrote:
still perplexed how so many are down on Obi but fine with Okoro. two different sides of the same coin.

i'd be more than fine with Obi under the circumstances -- though still want a shooter. If TT thinks Okoro is a form of Butler 2.0 fine with that too but his size and shot scare me more than Obi's lack of D

Okoro has weaknesses on offense, but he's not a complete nonthreat on that end. Plus, he has the potential to get much better. Obi might be one of the worse defenders picked in the lottery I've ever seen. And his limitations on that end don't seem like they're going to improve much on that end.

Certainly a concern. But Amare and Harden both contributed to winning and sound similar.

hopefully our FO can check into his brain and heart to see if he has the genuine will and capability to improve. Someone like Enes for example (or Tacko now playing for the same team) simply doesn't have the foot speed