Pacers must make crucial decision on their big man rotation

The former New York Knick came to Indiana last season and was often inserted into the starting lineup prior to the team acquiring Siakam. In his first year, Toppin’s field goal percentage (57.3%) was in the top 15 across the league.

He scored more than 10 points while pulling in about four boards a game. Toppin is a 6′ 9” forward who helped spread the floor for Tyrese Haliburton and company. He connected on 40% of his attempts from three-point land and about 35% during the playoffs.

During the opening round of the playoffs against the Bucks, Toppin struggled in the first two games on the road. He only shot the ball 40% and missed eight of his nine attempts from deep in Games 1 & 2 in Milwaukee.

The same trend occurred during the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Knicks, Toppin’s productivity was inconsistent at times. In four games out of the seven, he scored 10 points or more while shooting at least 50% from the floor. If he shot less than that, his numbers dropped as he scored no more than seven points in such contests.

Toppin’s game is not as strong as Siakam or Turner’s and that is okay. While many other teams would want a player like Toppin in their starting lineup, he gives the Pacers a formidable asset in the second unit alongside backup point guard TJ McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin.