King James Gospel
Fansided

3 players the Knicks have and that the Cavaliers lack

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Hart #3 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in action against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Heat 101-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Josh Hart #3 and Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks in action against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Heat 101-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Obi Toppin, New York Knicks. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images /

Player No. 2: Obi Toppin, next-man-up

On Sunday afternoon, two star players were having absolutely awful games. Donovan Mitchell was stumbling his way to a 5-of-18 showing with six turnovers, perhaps the worst playoff game of his career. On the opposite side, Knicks All-Star power forward Julius Randle shot just 3-of-10, including 0-for-4 from deep. He was a team-worst -2 on the night.

The primary difference between the two in Game 4? Mitchell played 42 minutes of nightmarish basketball, while Randle was on the court for only 27. The reason? Head coach Tom Thibodeau had an option on his bench who could come onto the court and replace Randle, while Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff did not.

Obi Toppin is the kind of player who is often overrated by fans, a small-role bench player who looks good in his few minutes and hasn’t been tested in a larger role. With that being said, Toppin certainly boosted his stock in Game 4, replacing Randle and closing the game for the Knicks.

Toppin was tremendous in relief of Randle, with eight rebounds (five on the offensive glass) and two timely buckets as he spaced the floor and ran in transition. The Knicks shifted on-ball scoring to RJ Barrett and Toppin was able to thrive in his role, playing hard and staying active. He was tied for the team lead with a +11 on Sunday.

The Cavs couldn’t go away from their struggling star; the Knicks could because they had a player in Toppin that Cleveland did not.