INDIANAPOLIS — There are totally different colleges of thought, typically divided by generations. Showmanship or showboating? Insulting or enjoyable? Exhilarating or reckless?
There’s the Mark Bavaro method, which is to cross the purpose line and hand the ball to the referee. Then there’s Deion Sanders, who high-stepped to a landing and completed with a ‘Primetime Dance.’
It’s totally different in basketball however a few of this applies to Obi Toppin. If he’s on a breakaway – which occurs very often in his restricted minutes, particularly in opposition to Wednesday’s opponent, the Pacers – Toppin tends to make a present of it.
Kawhi Leonard or Tim Duncan secures the 2 factors with a one-handed uneventful dunk. Toppin places the ball by way of his legs in midair.
“I simply need the 2 factors. However the factor is, he’s a fantastic finisher. I need him to be himself,” Thibodeau stated. “He performs with emotion. The worth of a dunk is fairly excessive while you have a look at the (shot effectivity). So, I believe the extra he dunks, the higher. I’m not for all of the loopy stuff, however he’s gifted, and I don’t wish to take his reward away from him.”
Toppin first went by way of his legs for a dunk final season in Indiana, which was earlier than he gained his Slam Dunk title at All-Star weekend. He’s transformed all his between-the-legs dunks throughout video games, though final week’s try turned dicey as a result of Pacers guard TJ McConnell snuck behind and practically swatted the ball away.
The gang enjoys the spectacle and so do Toppin’s teammates, which supplies credence to the concept that such dunks enhance adrenaline and the homecourt benefit. Good opponents could be motivated for revenge. Dangerous groups, just like the Pacers, are deflated.
“It’s two factors that goes on the scoreboard but it surely’s much more than that,” Toppin stated. “It’s much more power that’s constructed round that.”
Nonetheless, Toppin understands that there have to be extra to his sport than dunking. It’s been his calling card within the NBA, however enjoying time and longevity are constructed on different abilities.
“I’m not going to dunk for the remainder of my life. Vince Carter can nonetheless dunk however I don’t suppose he’s doing the identical issues he was doing 10 or 15 years in the past,” Toppin stated. “You simply acquired to regulate. When you become old, with the ability to shoot, with the ability to do little issues that may assist your crew win. It’s not all the time going to be dunks.”
Within the meantime, Toppin, who was typically benched as a rookie after defensive errors, has discovered not to have a look at Thibodeau for dunk approval.
“I’ve skilled myself not to have a look at Thibs anymore. As a result of each time I have a look at Thibs, I get in my head,” Toppin stated. “So I simply get again on protection and I’m comfortable it went in.”
MSG MONEYMAKER
The Knicks eclipsed the L.A. Lakers because the best-selling crew on StubHub this season, the ticket firm revealed this week.
It’s the primary time in 5 years the Lakers weren’t on prime of the StubHub listing.
The Nets ranked seventh.
Probably the most ‘in-demand’ sport this season, in accordance with StubHub, is Golden State on the Knicks on Dec. 20 for Steph Curry’s annual journey to MSG. Regardless of the Knicks shedding extra video games than another NBA franchise since 2000, they’re all the time among the many league’s most respected due to the situation above Penn Station.
In associated information, Mayor Adams stated just lately that he’s “open” to relocating MSG because the Metropolis renovates Penn Station. Proprietor James Dolan’s working allow expires subsequent yr however he’s proven no inclination to maneuver.
“The Penn Station mission is a vital one. I believe that space is ripe for housing, is ripe for actual funding,” Mayor Adams stated final month. “And if that matches into Madison Sq. Backyard transferring into one other location, perhaps we’ll assist the Knicks win. So we needs to be prepared to talk with Mr. Dolan and see the way it matches into the general scheme of that space.”
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