Obi Toppin Scouting: Discuss

[ansatsusha80]

If Toppin is so bad why was he college player of the year instead of these other players?

My issue ain't his offense,it's the defense...Every single draft expert said the same thing that he has no lateral quickness..Why would you want to draft someone with no defense yet been preached about fixing the defense since your season was over.....It makes no sense at all

This team been at the bottom on defense for two years now and I would like to see it improve instead of having to see it st the bottom for three years in a row.

In the NBA, you need to score and defend but somehow it's about scoring and no defense.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

What people are saying about Toppin is less about what he did in college and more of a projection based on a combination of factors of what they think will be some serious flaws or limitation in the NBA, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. I agree with some of it, and think some of it is overblown. I also think some of it is not just based on Toppins fit in the NBA but also the Cavs current roster composition. We’ve had the league worst defense for two years in a row so people’s impressions of the defensive acumen of our guards is very low. That makes them uncomfortable with the idea of a front court player who they feel will not be able to mask or help cover the current deficiencies of our guards. A lot of people have also had frustration of Love’s defense and would like to see a different type of PF in the future, instead of a continuation or worsening of the defense Love brings.

If you read back through this thread, the 2020 Offseason thread, and the NBA Draft thread in the Trade, Free Agency, and the Draft section of the forum, you can find a lot of posts and exchanges that go into more detail on why Toppin is not a favorite for this team amongst a lot of the posters on RCF, instead of the generalities I tried to list above.

What you just laid out makes a whole more sense now! Thanks for the clarification!

 

[sailfish]

One thing I’d point out is the Cavaliers do not appear to be scared off by older prospects and they may, in fact, prefer them, all things being equal. Remember, just last year they were poised to select a 3-year college player, in DeAndre Hunter, who had redshirted at UVA. The Hawks traded up ahead of us, at #4, to snatch Hunter away, so the Cavs turned to Garland. They then selected a 4-year college player, in 23 year old Dylan Windler, with the #26 pick in the 2019 draft. While we may see Toppin’s age as a disadvantage, Koby Altman & company, may see it as an advantage, especially for what is already a young team.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

One thing I’d point out is the Cavaliers do not appear to be scared off by older prospects and they may, in fact, prefer them, all things being equal. Remember, just last year they were poised to select a 3-year college player, in DeAndre Hunter, who had redshirted at UVA. The Hawks traded up ahead of us, at #4, to snatch Hunter away, so the Cavs turned to Garland. They then selected a 4-year college player, in 23 year old Dylan Windler, with the #26 pick in the 2019 draft. While we may see Toppin’s age as a disadvantage, Koby Altman & company, may see it as an advantage, especially for what is already a young team.

There's nothing wrong with drafting an older player who is more advanced in terms of his abilities than are younger guys. The problem with Toppin is that while he's more advanced in terms of scoring, he's way behind the curve defensively and in terms of rebounding.

 

[foucault87]

One thing I’d point out is the Cavaliers do not appear to be scared off by older prospects and they may, in fact, prefer them, all things being equal. Remember, just last year they were poised to select a 3-year college player, in DeAndre Hunter, who had redshirted at UVA. The Hawks traded up ahead of us, at #4, to snatch Hunter away, so the Cavs turned to Garland. They then selected a 4-year college player, in 23 year old Dylan Windler, with the #26 pick in the 2019 draft. While we may see Toppin’s age as a disadvantage, Koby Altman & company, may see it as an advantage, especially for what is already a young team.

I think you also have to consider where you are in terms of development as a team. At this point, I think the Cavs should be looking to get the best upside they can. If you can draft a Blake Griffin or Donovan Mitchell, as an older player with considerable upside, you go for it. Toppin is not that. He might be an elite offensive big but he is an absolute dude on the glass and on D. I don't anticipate that changing for the reasons given through out this thread. If the Cavs take an older player in this draft, it should be Tyrese Haliburton.

 

[sailfish]

There's nothing wrong with drafting an older player who is more advanced in terms of his abilities than are younger guys. The problem with Toppin is that while he's more advanced in terms of scoring, he's way behind the curve defensively and in terms of rebounding.

I agree. Toppin is not who I want, but my opinion doesn’t matter and I’m starting to reconcile that he may very well be the pick.