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3 areas Obi Toppin must improve in for a breakout 2022-23 Knicks season

By Jake Brown

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 02: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks goes to the hoop during the second quarter and draws a foul against Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on April 02, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 02: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks goes to the hoop during the second quarter and draws a foul against Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on April 02, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Obi Toppin
Obi Toppin, New York Knicks. (Photo by Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports) /

While it may have been a season of disappointment for the New York Knicks, there is still plenty to be optimistic about for next year. The 2022 NBA Draft, free agency, and NBA Summer League are all taking place within the coming months as the Knicks continue to bolster their young talent moving forward.

However, there is one young player in particular to keep an eye on this offseason with the hope that he’ll burst onto the scene next year, and that is Obi Toppin.

Can Obi Toppin breakout for the New York Knicks in 2022-23?

Just scratching the surface, Toppin’s numbers this past season don’t look all that appealing. He averaged 9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in the 72 games he appeared in.

Toppin primarily came off the bench as a high-energy guy, known for throwing down plenty of ferocious dunks throughout his 2021-2022 campaign, and even winning the 2022 NBA Dunk Contest in the process.

While his numbers haven’t been eye-popping, there are many signs that he could make a jump into a bigger role next season. For one, Toppin averaged 17.1 minutes this year, a small sample size of what he’s truly capable of under Tom Thibodeau.

And in the 10 games that Toppin started this past year, he didn’t disappoint as he averaged 20.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, proving his worth to not just the Knicks coaching staff, but to the fans as well.

There are still a significant amount of questions that have to be answered before next season, headlined by Julius Randle’s looming future with the team. But at the end of the day, Toppin’s fate is ultimately up to him.

Regardless of what happens this summer, for Toppin to take the next step in the future, he needs to iron out some areas of his game where he struggled this year. If he can make these improvements, who knows what’s in store for the 2020 lottery pick.

With that being said, let’s take a look at three areas where Toppin can improve as he looks to break out into a larger role for New York (or even another team) next season.

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