Knicks: Mapping out how Obi Toppin can develop his defense
John Collins PF, Atlanta Hawks:
If the Atlanta Hawks eventually decide to trade John Collins, there will be no shortage of suitors, and a big reason for that will be Collins’ improvement on the defensive side of the ball.
In 2019, Peachtree Hoops’ Jeff Seigel chronicled Collins’ matador defense and his steep climb towards becoming an average defender. At the mid-way point of the 2018-2019 season, Collins’ defensive real-plus-minus ranked almost dead last amongst power forwards and his defensive player-impact-plus-minus wasn’t much better. The Hawks were also giving up 114 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.
Similar to Toppin, Collins, despite elite vertical athleticism, does not have the best lateral quickness and often has to settle for trying to block his man from behind after getting beat off the dribble. But just a season later, the story around Collins’ defense started to change. Head coach Lloyd Pierce started to play him at the center position, and as a result, the Hawks’ defense gave up two points fewer per 100 possessions when he was on the court.
1-on-1 defense from John Collins pic.twitter.com/OLm2KKijxZ
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) February 10, 2019
The sample size was not great, in part due to a suspension early in the season, yet Collins improved his block rate and defensive field goal percentage within six feet. As teammate Kevin Huerter put it, Collins was able to stay vertical on guards driving into the paint, and kept his fouls to a minimum.
Just like Collins has done for the Hawks, the Knicks are hoping that Toppin can create an abundance of transition scoring opportunities off blocks (just like the one above). But the key will be putting Toppin in positions to succeed. Most Knicks’ fans were skeptical of Thibs bringing the former Dayton star off the bench. However, Toppin has a better chance of learning how to play NBA-level defense against other teams’ second unit as opposed to the starters.
Unlike Collins, Toppin, who actually spent most of his college career playing the five, is not likely to play the center position with Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel on the roster.
The question still remains: How can Toppin improve, this season, given his limitations?