Robin Lopez needs help this off season.

SUN · Post #1 » by **SUN** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:38 pm

Hello everyone, I'd like to discuss Robin Fropez in this topic, and off we go.. derp.

My idea for a line up.

I feel that Robin Lopez should start next season, with Marcin Gortat playing the power forward position. Gortat is in great shape, he runs the floor like a gazelle and he'd also have an advantage over the smaller power forwards in the NBA. With Lopez clogging the middle, and Gortat getting aggressive in the paint and on his man I'd feel they'd be a defensive pair that would be very hard to stop. I'd also think that this would help somewhat eliminate our size disadvantages that have plagued the franchise for a few years too.

Robin gets less touches.

I've pretty much given up on his offensive game, I think he's never going to rack up more then ten points a game at this level. He needs to be able to defend in the low post, while defending on shots when he can. He must have awareness on the court, when he sees that someone is cutting through the middle, stop them at all costs. Let him become a defensive anchor for this ball club. He can't really make a shot, maybe the sporadic close range jumper or the open low post move, but don't force feed him.

Make him your project this off season.

I think that what Robin is lacking is a teacher. A motivator. He had Shaq teach him a few things in his rookie year which somewhat transferred into his first starting year and he was effective. I think he's lacking that mental toughness, Alvin is too soft so we need some type of hard assistant. Someone who'll tell him to man up.

derp.

Bulk · Post #2 » by **Bulk** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:10 pm

First of all, I think that the Suns staff should analyze why the hell he regressed the way he did comparing to the previous seasons.

- Just because he lost an all-star that played next to him? Don't think so.
- The injury is the only reason? Don't think so too.
- Why did he seem so down and so unmotivated? Heck, even I wanted to know that. Maybe too much expectation from him?

I agree with you when you say he should be this offseason project, well, our FO should at least give him some thought and then decide what to do with him whether that means keeping him or trade him. JUST DON'T TRADE HIM FOR PEANUTS! He is still a young center with some value.

Either way, I don't see him getting well enough to make Gortat sit on the bench, not next season at least. Don't think that adapting Gortat to the four position would be a wise decision so we need still need a legitimate PF for next season.

JohnVancouver · Post #3 » by **JohnVancouver** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:55 pm

Let's stop playing people out of their natural position, okay? Sure, try Gortat at the 4 sometime, or in a crisis but he's such a good 5 why mess with him?

SUN · Post #4 » by **SUN** » Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:44 pm

JohnVancouver wrote:Let's stop playing people out of their natural position, okay? Sure, try Gortat at the 4 sometime, or in a crisis but he's such a good 5 why mess with him?

He's effective at both positions.

bigfoot · Post #5 » by **bigfoot** » Sun May 1, 2011 1:16 am

It really is a two man project for it to work.

1) Gortat needs to develop a smooth 18 ft jumper and at times this past season he has shown some range. He will need to work hard this summer to improve his range.

2) Robin needs to go back to the basics. Honestly he needs agility and footwork training. Most of the Europeans have good footwork because they play soccer. Second he looks soft. He just does not have the chiseled frame he needs for the NBA. His arms and legs just do not have any defined muscle mass. He can't jump to block shots, rebound, or dunk. Without footwork training and strength training he will not improve in rebounding and defense which is where we need him the most

STEV13 · Post #6 » by **STEV13** » Sun May 1, 2011 3:16 am

Here's to hoping he'll learn to stand straight next season.

DRK · Post #7 » by **DRK** » Sun May 1, 2011 4:17 am

The problem with Lopez is that although he's 7 foot, he bends down alot and plays like he's 6'3. He doesnt go hard or strong enough to the hoop either, and his back-to-basket game is virtually non-existent. He really needs to work on that if he is to be a good offensive player.

On defence, I ahvent given up on him yet. Lopez was very good defensively in our 2010 playoff run. he clogged the lanes, and contested shots. I hope he can get back up to that level next season after a full pre-season.

Frank Lee · Post #8 » by **Frank Lee** » Sun May 1, 2011 10:38 am

When mild mannered Robin Lopez, a comic book addict and over sized mouseketeer by day, dons his Suns uniform at night, he turns into....
THE ANCHOR MAN.

A foul inducing creature, THE ANCHOR MAN is firmly planted to the ground, incapable of being uprooted. When he wages battle with similar behemoths, ANCHOR MAN, rises up on his toes, and uncoils to lofty heights reserved for lesser beings who can jump. As ANCHOR MAN maneuvers from end to end on his battlefield, he adopts a unique gait resembling a sailor pulling up heavy chain. Sporting an even foul to minute ratio, ANCHOR MAN does not get short changed in dishing out his punishment, to not only those who oppose him but to those who view him. His ever present scowl tricks his adversaries into believing he is in pain, and he often emits groans of displeasure known to mimic the sound of an angry sea. Swaying back and forth like coral dredged from the depths, ANCHOR MAN's Medusa like outcroppings mesmerize his opponents into states of humorous wonderment. Seeing this, ANCHOR MAN's body becomes rigid as steel, requiring his adversaries to run entirely around the steadfast fixture. Brother to THE HOOVERCRAFT, a similar ship-sized being who is known to rise 6 inches off the surface, ANCHOR MAN gleans rebounds in a funnel-like fashion, gathering the sought after orbs as they fall down to him in his immediate vicinity. Having a 4 year guaranteed life span, ANCHOR MAN is fastened to his vessel by a contractual bond with the strength of a thick iron chain. No one will pull him away and he can not be discarded.

Post #9 » by **lilfishi22** » Sun May 1, 2011 12:33 pm

JohnVancouver wrote:Let's stop playing people out of their natural position, okay? Sure, try Gortat at the 4 sometime, or in a crisis but he's such a good 5 why mess with him?

+1. He's easily more effective at the 5 than at the 4. There's no reason to make them start together. Gortat is not a 4 and doesn't have the offense for the 4 either. If we started both Lopez and Gortat, then we'll have 2 very average offensive players on at the same time.

I felt Lopez didn't focus on his defense enough when he was on the court. We saw a lot of attempted offense from him but defensively he was mostly a non-factor for much of this season. He'd pick up easy fouls and just didn't seem to have that quickness. This off season I want him to just work on his defense and rebounding. If that means working on his lateral quickness than so be it.

corwin · Post #10 » by **corwin** » Sun May 1, 2011 12:47 pm

Frank Lee wrote:When mild mannered Robin Lopez, a comic book addict and over sized mouseketeer by day, dons his Suns uniform at night, he turns into....
THE ANCHOR MAN.

A foul inducing creature, THE ANCHOR MAN is firmly planted to the ground, incapable of being uprooted. When he wages battle with similar behemoths, ANCHOR MAN, rises up on his toes, and uncoils to lofty heights reserved for lesser beings who can jump. As ANCHOR MAN maneuvers from end to end on his battlefield, he adopts a unique gait resembling a sailor pulling up heavy chain. Sporting an even foul to minute ratio, ANCHOR MAN does not get short changed in dishing out his punishment, to not only those who oppose him but to those who view him. His ever present scowl tricks his adversaries into believing he is in pain, and he often emits groans of displeasure known to mimic the sound of an angry sea. Swaying back and forth like coral dredged from the depths, ANCHOR MAN's Medusa like outcroppings mesmerize his opponents into states of humorous wonderment. Seeing this, ANCHOR MAN's body becomes rigid as steel, requiring his adversaries to run entirely around the steadfast fixture. Brother to THE HOOVERCRAFT, a similar ship-sized being who is known to rise 6 inches off the surface, ANCHOR MAN gleans rebounds in a funnel-like fashion, gathering the sought after orbs as they fall down to him in his immediate vicinity. Having a 4 year guaranteed life span, ANCHOR MAN is fastened to his vessel by a contractual bond with the strength of a thick iron chain. No one will pull him away and he can not be discarded.

Thanks for the laugh.

SUN · Post #11 » by **SUN** » Sun May 1, 2011 6:04 pm

DRK wrote:The problem with Lopez is that although he's 7 foot, he bends down alot and plays like he's 6'3. He doesnt go hard or strong enough to the hoop either, and his back-to-basket game is virtually non-existent. He really needs to work on that if he is to be a good offensive player.

On defence, I ahvent given up on him yet. Lopez was very good defensively in our 2010 playoff run. he clogged the lanes, and contested shots. I hope he can get back up to that level next season after a full pre-season.

I haven't given up on him either. I think you're right about him having a body of a smaller player, he looks extremely lanky and weak when he's on the floor, I first assumed it was his back issues nagging him again, but he's losing his footwork when he bends down like that. He needs to learn how to take it strong to the cup and finish. He can't be weak when he's backing down a 6'9 power forward.

bigfoot · Post #12 » by **bigfoot** » Mon May 2, 2011 1:51 am

Lopez lost 8 inches off of his vertical leap!! If summer workouts don't make an improvement I think his career is over.

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/04/27/t ... more-26559

SUN · Post #13 » by **SUN** » Mon May 2, 2011 2:05 am

bigfoot wrote:Lopez lost 8 inches off of his vertical leap!! If summer workouts don't make an improvement I think his career is over.

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/04/27/t ... more-26559

How do you lose your vertical at like, 22?

bigfoot · Post #14 » by **bigfoot** » Mon May 2, 2011 2:27 am

phxdude wrote:
bigfoot wrote:Lopez lost 8 inches off of his vertical leap!! If summer workouts don't make an improvement I think his career is over.

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/04/27/t ... more-26559

How do you lose your vertical at like, 22?

Can you say bad back and weak core!

bigfoot · Post #15 » by **bigfoot** » Mon May 2, 2011 2:31 am

From Valleyofthesuns.com podcast

"If Steve Nash can't make Robin Lopez better that say's alot."

Steve has gotten big contracts for lots of guys over the years. Lopez had a crappy, crappy year. The guy is obviously injured. The question is how badly. The worry is his value is so low we probably couldn't get anything in return for him in a trade. You wonder if he could even pass a physical exam for a trade?

garrick · Post #16 » by **garrick** » Mon May 2, 2011 7:30 am

I think we should just keep him and hope his back issues clear up. I think Robin should practice a ton of layups because I've never seen anyone miss so many baskets from under the rim.

JasonDaPsycho · Post #17 » by **JasonDaPsycho** » Mon May 2, 2011 7:52 am

Eff it. Make him go train with Hakeem. If **** doesn't work, don't pick up his option/extend qualifying offer.

Frank Lee · Post #18 » by **Frank Lee** » Mon May 2, 2011 1:55 pm

bigfoot wrote:Lopez lost 8 inches off of his vertical leap!! If summer workouts don't make an improvement I think his career is over.

http://valleyofthesuns.com/2011/04/27/t ... more-26559

Wow... that explains a lot. This is good news.

He had to realize it and it had to effect his confidence.

Think back of how many times he was blocked going to the rim... Thats a significant drop in your jump. Probably 30% ?

If anything, this says keep him, train his ass off to regain what he lost. It should have the same effect in the other direction with confidence and ability. All deals are off with thRobbin. Let our med staff and trainers bring him back.

Gorilla Warfare · Post #19 » by **Gorilla Warfare** » Mon May 2, 2011 5:34 pm

The best thing we can do to Robin Lopez is what we did to the other Griffin brother and other Collins brother, get him off this team.

Ruhiel · Post #20 » by **Ruhiel** » Sat May 14, 2011 6:23 am

would not the opposing power forward defend Lopez if Gortat is so good? That would make Lopez the 4, I think lopez has a natural advantage at the 4.