Nikola Topic, a 2024 lottery pick, spent his entire first season in the NBA rehabbing a partially torn ACL in his left knee that required surgery. The Thunder guard took some positives from his long road to recovery, he told Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman.
“I didn’t play a basketball game for a very long time, and that was really hard,” Topic said. “But as you go through that process, you learn something about yourself that you didn’t know you had. … I took positives from it and learned from it.”
Topic returned to action during the Summer League. He averaged 10.8 points, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 27.3 minutes per game in five appearances.
“I feel more confident,” Topic said. “Going into a game, sleeping before a game and just everything about it, I feel way more confident.”
Here’s more from the Western Conference:
- Bradley Beal‘s primary motivation to sign with the Clippers was the opportunity to join another contender. “I need a ring. I want one bad. I feel like I’ve got a new life of rejuvenation, for sure, a new hunger. I’m excited about the opportunity, new city, a new environment but a hungry environment, too,” he told KMOV’s Tamar Sher (video link). After getting bought out by the Suns, Beal signed a two-year, $11MM contract with a player option.
- The Timberwolves are hiring Mahmoud Abdelfattah as head coach of their NBA G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype tweets. Abdelfattah will also be an assistant coach for USA Basketball’s AmeriCup Qualifying Team. He was previously the head coach of Australia’s Sydney Kings.
- The Lakers are hiring Jeremy Holsopple as their new head strength and conditioning coach, Marc Stein of The Stein Line tweets. As the Mavericks’ athletic performance director, Holsopple was named as the NBA’s top strength and conditioning coach in March 2021.
If Beal wanted to win a ring then he should have signed with OKC or DEN then lol
Need a ring so I’ll go to the clippers. Kawhi hardley plays and James Harden been at the all you can eat buffet since last season finished. Clips could possibly win a series, depending on who they play. That’s about it.
Clippers can win a series maybe 2 with some luck. I don’t think they get to Finals, the old team would just fade. Kawhi is the only champ experienced guy that can play in playoffs. Brook was played off the court in the weaker East.
The Clips are a really good team, they wouldn’t be my first pick to win the title but they are absolutely top 4 in the west. They’ll have a chance.
Well the guy has a rough road to condition BK Luka.
Didn’t you see the men’s health article? 😁
Topic is a nice addition for Thunder. He is more a traditional PG. Something they don’t really have. Has good size. His shooting has to improve. Is a solid FT shooter. Thunder are loaded.
Beal signed for two yrs. That shows commitment to Clippers. Clippers were a playoff team last year. And added three good players Lopez, Collins, Beal. Beal is playing his natural position in a better system for him. Clippers need him to score. On this team he can do that as a SG. I expect him to have a big year.
The age of that team most certainly will see a plethora of injuries and/or load management.
Topic could be what they wanted Giddey to be. I think he can be a more consistent shooter and more willing system guy(defender).
Of course the Thunder have another talented rookie to add to their roster…lol
Even if he’s just a back-up PG, he can carve out a really important role for OKC. They could definitely use Topic and his talents, it seems like an excellent fit. Plus, he’s already had a year inside the franchise, and he has been able to learn their system and take advantage of their nutrition and their strength and conditioning program.
He will be a sneaky good addition for OKC this upcoming season.
Within a year or two Topic and Shai should be an unstoppable combo and this will push multiple championships…the best draft choice they could have made..will be a star