Obi Toppin, the Pacer's Center, Revitalized His Season in December
Obi Toppin, the Pacer's Center, Revitalized His Season in December
INDIANAPOLIS — A few key players have revitalized their performances for the Indiana Pacers, helping the team stay afloat after a rough start, but none may have switched gears quite as dramatically as Obi Toppin. The fifth-year forward had a remarkable December, serving as a reminder of his impact for the Pacers in the previous season.
In the 2023-24 season, Toppin enjoyed a career-best performance. He converted over 40% of his three-point attempts for the first time, reached double-digit scoring averages, and discovered his role as a player. Toppin was an excellent fit on the Pacers' fast-paced team, both on and off the court. The team even decided to secure his services with a four-year contract following that successful campaign.
Things took a different turn in the current season. Toppin, 26, struggled to hit his shots. His three-point percentage through the end of November was merely 31%. He wasn't making up for it with his finishing skills as much as the previous season, and his defense seemed slightly weaker as he played various positions due to team injuries.
Shooting abilities can be inconsistent, and Toppin was shouldering more center duty than he ever anticipated — he accumulated 178 minutes in the center through the end of November, nearing his total from the entire previous season (193). Some aspects of his decline in effectiveness were justifiable. However, things seemed off, and as the Pacers struggled to find their groove, Toppin's minutes left much to be desired. The team even recorded a -101 point differential during that span when Toppin was on the floor.
However, everything has taken a positive turn since then. Toppin has returned to his best form for an entire month, sinking shots and altering the pace of games. His work on the boards and defense has improved, and the Pacers are dominating opponents during Toppin's minutes. In December, the Brooklyn native reminded everyone why the Pacers were eager to retain him during the offseason.
"He moves the ball, creates tempo... he drains threes at a high rate," Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell praised Toppin. "He attacks the rim and puts pressure on the rim. Those are, statistically, our team's best scoring opportunities, and he's exceptional at both."
What led to Obi Toppin's and the Pacers' turnaround?
December began on a high note for Toppin. He scored 16 points in Memphis on December 1, his fourth-best performance of the season at the time, while shooting 70% from the field and grabbing eight rebounds. He played superbly, and two days later, he drained half of his three-pointers in a 15-point, 9-rebound outing against Toronto. Toppin delivered his best back-to-back performances of the season.
The good times didn't end there. Toppin posted double-digit scoring figures in his next seven games, totaling nine straight games with double digits. His shooting abilities returned, and his rebounding impact became game-changing. Suddenly, his minutes were getting off well. The team was winning as a result, and Toppin was a vital component of the turnaround in the bench rotation.
Early in the month, Toppin was still playing center. In those minutes, his rebounding improvement was crucial. "With Toppin at center, we will be faster," Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. "We'll face different challenges without (starting center) Myles (Turner) in there. We'll need to swarm, hustle, and rebound."
Throughout November, Toppin was averaging 3.1 rebounds per game. However, December saw a significant increase, with Toppin grabbing 5.4 rebounds per game. In the Pacers' first 20 games, Toppin recorded more than 5.4 rebounds in a game just twice. In December, he capitalized on missed shots and transformed them into scoring opportunities.
The Pacers acquired a backup center who could partner effectively with Toppin, Thomas Bryant, on December 15. In the six games prior to his arrival, Toppin averaged 6.7 rebounds per game. His growth as a player relied heavily upon this, providing him with a better understanding of the five position.
With Bryant in the lineup, Toppin spent more time at his natural position. His play remained solid, and hehbaas his three-point shooting was a major factor.
Three-pointers began to fall for the 2020 lottery pick. He knocked down three against the Chicago Bulls, then drained three more against the Charlotte Hornets just two days later. By the end of the week, he had drained four in a crucial victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Toppin was suddenly on a roll.
He drained multiple three-pointers in six different December games. During the month, his three-point percentage topped 40.8%, surpassing his career-best mark from the previous season by just over 4%. His accuracy from beyond the arc increased by 4.5% from the start of the month to its end. This played a significant role in Toppin's resurgence.
"He's improved greatly on defense and rebounding... he's turned into a more physical player. He's learning and understanding our defensive system better," Carlisle said of Toppin in December. "He's accomplished a lot, particularly in the last three or four weeks."
The Dayton product improved in virtually every aspect during the final month of 2024. So did the Pacers, who posted a 7-7 record in December despite facing a challenging, road-heavy schedule. It was the Pacers' best record in a single month this season.
After Toppin hit the floor, the Pacers observed a significant shift in their scoring, outperforming opponents by a substantial 34 points in the month of December. This marked a significant improvement from their early-season statistics. During Toppin's playing time, Indiana boasted an impressive offensive rating of 121.2.
The shift in Toppin's performance wasn't just a numerical observation but was evident on the court. Despite missing two games and being limited in two others due to injuries, Toppin's impact was undeniable. Whenever he was on the court, good things happened.
In his first game in January, Toppin continued his impressive form with two made triples, contributing to a 12-point, 6-rebound performance in Miami. The Pacers managed to secure a victory that night. Recording outstanding performances, Toppin has been a force to reckon with lately, particularly in scoring. His recent run has marked one of the best months of his career. This impressive streak has significantly helped steer the Pacers' season back on course.
In light of his impressive December, Dayton Flyers alum Obi Toppin signed an extension with the Indiana Pacers, extending his stay in Indiana beyond the current season. With the addition of Thomas Bryant as a backup center, Toppin was able to shift back to his natural position, boosting his three-point shooting and contributing to the team's resurgence.