The Pacers wanted to start with the same group, and that's what they've done (so far). Besides Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard, they've re-signed Obi Toppin for a four-year, $60 million contract.
” We are confident that he will play a key role for us in the future. “, said Kevin Pritchardthe Pacers' president of basketball operations, about the 26-year-old center.
As proof, he cites the former Knicks player as having had his best career year with an average of more than 10 points and 4 rebounds with a very good 40% success rate at 3-point range, in a role of dynamiter coming off the bench.
A contribution that is all the more interesting since he managed to maintain his production in the playoffs (17 matches played). Yes, 1000% (editor’s note: on his desire to return). I was talking to the coach and I was like, 'I can't go anywhere. I have to stay.' So to have the opportunity to be here is great. “, enthuses the Brooklyn native.
A close-knit group
The latter speaks of Indiana as a ” extraordinary experience. I felt like the energy I brought appealed to everyone, to the team. They wanted me to come back. I wanted to come back too. So I'm very happy that we came to an agreement. »
In addition to the handsome, but reasonable, salary that awaits him, Obi Toppin has been influenced by the group around him. A group of players in the same age group who are coming off an accomplished season that ended in the conference finals.
” Everyone was very close-knit. Tyrese (Haliburton), Myles (Turner) and Pascal (Siakam) were great at keeping the team together. We had to make sure the team stayed what it was. If I come back, if Pascal comes back, everyone will come back. It's going to be great. “, explains the 8th choice of the 2020 Draft, who received messages from his teammates with a view to retaining him in Indiana.
” We realized what we could do as a team, we know that next year we will have a target on our backs. “, warns the interested party to finish, who wants the Pacers to become a stronghold in the East.
| Obi Toppin | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | NYK | 62 | 11 | 49.8 | 30.6 | 73.1 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 4.1 |
| 2021-22 | NYK | 72 | 17 | 53.1 | 30.8 | 75.8 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 9.0 |
| 2022-23 | NYK | 67 | 16 | 44.6 | 34.4 | 80.9 | 0.4 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 7.4 |
| 2023-24 | IND | 82 | 21 | 57.3 | 40.3 | 77.0 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 10.3 |
| Total | 283 | 17 | 52.0 | 35.1 | 76.8 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 7.9 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
