Advertisement

Stephen A. Smith wanted Knicks to take Tyrese Haliburton over Obi Toppin

Cody Taylor
·2 min read

Under new head coach Tom Thibodeau, the New York Knicks have had a decent start to the 2020-21 season with an 8-11 record. The team has shown some flashes of being a playoff contender at times, while boasting a top-five defense in the process.

Overall, the team appears to be heading in the right direction. Then, when considered that 25th overall pick Immanuel Quickley has looked to be an absolute steal of the draft, the Knicks look to have a player that can contribute on a nightly basis.

It has been the other first-round pick that some have taken issue with.

Of course, the Knicks selected Obi Toppin from Dayton with the eighth overall pick. Toppin was named the 2020 AP Player of the Year after a remarkable sophomore year with the Flyers but has experienced a slow start to his rookie campaign after missing time with an injury.

ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith, who is a noted Knicks fan, was not thrilled with the selection of Toppin.

Smith, speaking with rapper Torae on SiriusXM’s Hip Hop Nation, wanted the Knicks to take Tyrese Haliburton, who went 12th to the Sacramento Kings. Given the early success of Haliburton, Knicks fans likely agree with Smith’s stance, too.

[Knicks president] Leon Rose knows basketball, was a really big-time agent. He has got some connections. Unfortunately, my only problem is I think that made him draft Obi Toppin, instead of my selection, which I thought should have been Tyrese Haliburton out of Iowa State who is at Sacramento right now doing his thing. I’m not knocking Obi Toppin, I just think playing the position that he plays, you’ve got enough forwards with the New York Knicks, you really didn’t need him. You needed a guard.

While Haliburton has certainly been off to a great start this season, comparing him to Toppin at this point seems a bit unfair. Toppin dealt with an injury that forced him to miss 10 games and is still working to pick things up in the Knicks’ system.

Haliburton likely would have made for a great pick with the Knicks, but the team went in a different direction. Toppin has done some nice things on the court to this point and likely only needs some additional time to get things rolling.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

Related

Kings' Hassan Whiteside hilariously has several issues with Tyrese Haliburton

Knicks' Immanuel Quickley accomplishes rare feat with career night

Kings' Tyrese Haliburton set the rookie mark for blocks in a game this season

List

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: LaMelo Ball, and the rise of Tyrese Maxey