Uncertainty surrounding the knee of Nikola Topic will have been right about his hopes of Top 10 in this Draft. Selected by the Thunder, the Serbian leader arrives in a context which could be advantageous in many respects.
First of all because he will start his NBA career with one of the best teams in the league last season. But above all because Oklahoma City has already gone through this type of situation with Chet Holmgren, and should reproduce the same pattern with a blank year in sight for its new recruit.
Sam Presti admitted “ to expect » that Nikola Topic does not play all season. The Thunder GM is optimistic and wants to build on Holmgren precedent when approaching this decision.
Nikola Topic is not a Josh Giddey bis for Sam Presti
“ We are aware of everything, everyone has access to everything now, we have seen all the MRIs, and we are comfortable with it all » he assured at a press conference. “ Our medical manager came to examine him in person and spend time with him. We will now sit down and implement our action plan regarding the injury. We expect him not to play with us next season. Our experience with Chet and the time spent with him certainly had an impact on our decision. »
If Nikola Topic for his part clarified that he had not yet discussed it with his new franchise, the former Red Star Belgrade player was not particularly worried about this prospect of a prolonged stay in the infirmary. “ They have the experience with Chet from two years ago, they clearly know what they are doing and I am very happy to be with them » he reacted.
The selection of Nikola Topic by Oklahoma City was surprising, however, as the player admitted not to have gone there, unlike other teams. But the feeling seems to have gone well, notably thanks to a meeting during the Draft Combine in Treviso.
“ Coach Mark Daigneault is very, very nice, same thing with the GM, everyone… I really enjoyed talking with them. They're really funny, it wasn't a typical job discussion. It was just a classic conversation between people, talking about everything, life, basketball. I fit in pretty well with the Thunder, I will adapt to whatever role they give me to do my best. I will fight 150% for every ball, every possession. »
A tall leader with a very good vision of the game, Nikola Topic will take over from Josh Giddey, who left for Chicago just before the Draft in exchange for Alex Caruso. “ I wouldn't compare Nikola with Josh Giddey, or any other player » Sam Presti immediately tempered. “ Players like them, with their size, analyze the game well, they can play anywhere. But we mainly take into account their qualities rather than trying to reproduce the same role. You never have enough players capable of making decisions on the field. »
After the storm, calm
The Thunder leader was very enthusiastic about his new foal, whose intelligence he praised for several minutes in front of the press.
“ Nikola is incredibly mature for his age. Extremely, extremely mature. If you talk to his teammates or watch him in practices, he’s an incredible playing partner. He has a remarkable understanding of team dynamics at his young age. He’s an interesting person, and the way he views teams, the game, competing, learning… At his age, it’s pretty rare. It was very intriguing to have all that. »
The Thunder are now impatient, at the end of a Draft that they will not soon forget. Club offices were deprived of electricity following storms in recent hours in the region. Without power until 5 p.m., Oklahoma City had to run its “Draft room” on a backup generator to prepare for its evening.
