Pistons guard Saddiq Bey attempts a layup as Knicks forward Obi Toppin defends during the second half of a NBA preseason game on Dec. 11 in Detroit. Credit: AP/Carlos Osorio
When NBA.com surveyed the league’s general managers for the annual GM survey, the Knicks were mostly an afterthought, left out of the conversation for contending teams or for most of the postseason honors. But there was one player who has gotten an early hint of respect around the league and has shown in preseason that the talk might be right.
Obi Toppin was picked third in the poll ranking potential rookie of the year candidates, tied for third among choices as the biggest steal according to his draft position and also received votes for which rookie will be the best player five years from now.