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

By Jake Brown | Apr 27, 2022

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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Obi Toppin, New York Knicks. (Photo by Tom Horak/USA TODAY Sports) /

Improvement #2: His consistency from the three-point line

Since coming into the league, Toppin hasn’t shied away from launching the long ball, attempting just under two 3-pointers a game in his second year, shooting just 30% from distance on the season.

And with more minutes lined up towards the end of the year, he shot the ball efficiently, finishing 44% from behind the arc in the final 10 games.

Going forward, consistency and efficiency will be key for the high flying forward if he wants to make a significant impact on a young and budding team that is starting to come together, and that starts with finding rhythm on the offensive side of the spectrum.

The main area of focus will be on corner threes for Toppin since a high volume of his shots come from that spot, as he shot 34% from both of the corners this past season. If Toppin can find more success from distance, it’ll force defenders to close out on him.

This ties back to my earlier point regarding his ability to create shots, as he will be forced to put the ball on the ground. And having Barrett, a frequent slasher who can drive down the lane, will put pressure on opposing defenses.

It shouldn’t be an issue for Toppin to find open space to get set and let it fly as long as Barrett is in town.

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