obi toppin is a magnificent rim runner

hustlin'

bigs who repeatedly run the floor in semi-transition are so valuable. they score easy points off of stops and can open up a ton of open looks for teammates as decoys when they don't get the ball.

obi toppin is a quintessential rim runner - and he goes hard every single time:

when he doesn't get the ball, his rim running takes defenders with him and opens up opportunities for his teammates.

like here for a kevin knox 3:

and here for a derrick rose 3:

obi plays around 17 minutes a game, and he goes hard every possession. sometimes it looks like he's literally running suicides out there, haha:

gotta respect the effort.

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unrelated medium light:

joe johnson with the old man bucket of the year:

gave you a bit of everything. the back down at half court, the slow and steady hand off reset, the use the screen to get you on hip at the right angle, the side step to a mid-range bucket. love it.

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random thoughts:

• ja morant's athleticism doesn't really make logical sense. peak derrick rose was like gumby - he could twist and turn and morph his body in the air to avoid all contact (can you believe he only averaged 6 free throws a game in his prime?). peak russell westbrook was an explosion - he just shot out of a cannon and went through and over you. ja morant is somehow both...?

• ant simons has a beautiful jumpshot and his offensive game and confidence grows every season. at some point it's going to come together.

• point forward james johnson is back on a team that utilizes his skillset perfectly (the brooklyn nets) and it's awesome.

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