Thrill rides are almost a foregone conclusion, when the NBA’s second-most pass-heavy offense also doubles as one featuring highflyers across its depth chart. Benefitting from said foolproof system during each of the last two seasons, Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin begins his highlight hunt, using a beautiful-timed cut from the baseline to the rim, just as a teammate begins his drive. Throwing up the universal “finger” in request of a lob, Toppin prepares himself to reap its rewards, gliding through the air for a ferocious one-handed alley-oop flush. Well-timed cuts became the name of the game for the fifth-year slam extraordinaire, as he routinely found gaps in the Brooklyn Nets’ defense for aerial displays during Indiana’s win. Leading the Pacers’ charge from the bench, per usual, Toppin finished the evening with 11 points (on four-of-six shooting), five rebounds, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes of action on January 6, 2025. · Jan 7, 2025