Brooklyn Nets: Why 2013-14 Will Belong To Brook Lopez
Brook Lopez is a bit bigger, a bit stronger and surrounded by a fantastic supporting cast entering 2013-14. (NBA.com photo)
"“I’m just in awe a little bit, just being honest with everybody. His skill level is impressive and I haven’t been around a skill level like that versus playing [against one] I don’t think ever. So, this is an adjustment for me. I’m just making sure I’m keying in on that and making sure the two of us is on the same page.”"
That’s some serious gushing coming from an MVP, an NBA champion and an 18-year veteran, but Kevin Garnett might be on to something when referring to the longest tenured Brooklyn Net, Brook Lopez.
The most noticeable difference in Brook heading into 2013-14? He looks positively enormous. While in a walking boot all offseason, Lopez apparently did work in the gym and added some noticeable girth to his normally slender 7’1″ frame. The results? A 290-pound monster who absolutely carved up the interior of the Washington Wizards defense in Brooklyn’s first preseason game, scoring 15 points in just 12 minutes and showing his trademark remarkable consistency and well-roundedness offensively, finishing 6-for-7 from the floor, 3-for-4 from the line and displaying an ability to score from anywhere inside the 3-point line.
How has the added weight helped? Typically in the past, Lopez had trouble maintaining position in the post. Too often, defenders were able to push him off the block and prevent him from getting a clean catch in a spot where he could make a quick move to the basket for a score. Based on some comments from the man who defended him Tuesday night, Nene, this isn’t likely to be a major issue anymore.
"“You seen Lopez? It seems like Reggie been teaching Lopez to hold people on the block,” said Nene, referring to Reggie Evans, a player known for consistently maintaining great position inside. “It’s hard to have energy for him because he just does one thing. Just plays physical. I’m not that kind of guy.”"
What does it all mean for Brook Lopez going forward? A season to remember, for sure. Lopez is a player who operates best when space is available. He is terrific at filling open spaces around the rim, making him an easy target for a passer if the floor is properly situated. This, of course, was impossible last season thanks to the offensive ineptitude of Brooklyn’s starting forwards, Reggie Evans and Gerald Wallace. Evans isn’t a guy who can score from outside of the paint and Gerald Wallace was such an inconsistent jump shooter last season that teams often ignored him in half-court sets. Despite all of that, Lopez still had an All-Star season, posting averages of 19.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per contest. Those numbers went up a tick in the postseason (against a stingy Chicago Bulls defense no less) to 22.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game in a seven-game series that most Brooklyn fans are trying to erase from memory.
Brook Lopez was a Net at the Izod Center, which was the equivalent to playing in a gigantic empty gymnasium. He endured 82 games of hell on a team that went 12-70 (and, ironically saw the end of now assistant coach Lawrence Frank’s tenure in New Jersey). He didn’t make a peep when the team moved to the Prudential Center in Newark and spent the better part of two seasons famously trying (and failing) to trade him. Brook played on teams that prominently featured an over-the-hill Bobby Simmons, Yi Jianlian, the immortal Johan Petro and the $35 million man, Travis Outlaw, as big minute players. If ever there was a true Net through and through, it’s Brook Lopez. Now, bigger and stronger than ever at the ripe old age of 25, the sky is the limit for Brook, who now plays on a Brooklyn team primed to compete for a title with a supporting cast glittered with All-Star level talent and accolades.
Now, if only someone could get him to rebound.
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