How a talk by Tom Thibodeau changed things for Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley

LAS VEGAS – After the Knicks were beaten by the Raptors, 89-79, in Sunday’s Summer League opener, Knicks coach Tom Thiibodeau sat down with the sophomores Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley for a talk.

Thibodeau has told the 2020 first-round picks they need to show more leadership on the UNLV field because they are the club’s veterans, according to a source.

The Knicks rebounded Monday with a 94-86 victory over the Pacers with Quickley and Toppin in the lead. They combined for 54 points in the victory.

Quickley hinted at the leadership he and Toppin need to show as the Summer League team that returns to action on Wednesday against the Lakers (10 p.m. EST).

“I’ve been around for about a year,” Quickley said. “I took part in playoff games. I just keep spreading my knowledge to new guys, young guys. Obi and I are doing a great job understanding that we have to help these guys and communicate. ”

After a poor outing in Game 1, Quickley got knocked down with a 32-point outing, eight assists, one turnover and two steals. Toppin was for the most part solid while finally getting it within minutes after a rookie season buried behind Julius Randle up front.

Although the Dayton dunker shot 2 of 10 in Game 1 of 3, Toppin is averaging 23 points in both competitions with robust and energetic athletic play.

Twice against Indiana, Toppin turned duds into setbacks – a la Carmelo Anthony. Toppin was also 3 of 6 on a 3-point field, while still keeping his bullyball inside the game.

“I feel like I did well,” Toppin said. “Guys just find me in certain positions. I would like to shoot a little better on the 3. Every day will not be perfect. I worked a lot this summer. I had a lot of guys who helped me – coaches, players, watching a movie. ”

Toppin and Quickley missed the Summer League last year due to the pandemic. After their rookie year, however, Summer League coach Dice Yoshimoto said Toppin and Quickley were back in the gym with the coaches two days after the team were beaten in the first round by the Hawks.

Toppin, selected No.8 last November, actually enjoyed a lively playoffs after his below-par regular season, drawing “O-bi” chants from the Garden crowd.

“I feel like I’m more focused on my role on the team,” Toppin said when asked what he’s been emphasizing this offseason. “I feel like I know my role. I know what I have to work on. I have a lot of guys helping me this summer. ”

Toppin was also in Vegas last month with Team US Select, facing the US Olympians.

“It was great to have the opportunity to come to Vegas and play against the best players in the world – Dame Lillard, all of those guys,” Toppin said. “Working with them and picking up little things they told me about helped me tremendously.