RealGM

Looks like Robin may suit up weds nite, but will definitley return on Friday nite.

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/lopezreturn_091123.html

Wonder how many minutes he will get per game...

Probably not a lot at first, but looks like once he gets into game shape around 20-25 per game. I'm just glad we will finally get to see how much improvemment he has made. Hopefully he plays big in the paint defensively for us. A lot of the players are saying he looks really good.

realsunsfan wrote:Probably not a lot at first, but looks like once he gets into game shape around 20-25 per game. I'm just glad we will finally get to see how much improvemment he has made. Hopefully he plays big in the paint defensively for us. A lot of the players are saying he looks really good.

Last time they talked someone up and nobody believed them, we got a 3 bombing Frye in the race for MIP. Maybe it's not just a bunch of publicity bull crap. Turns out it wasn't last time

Yeah I tend to think he is legit. Looking at his play at the end of last year and some of his play during summer league and listening to what his teammates and coaches are saying, I think he will be another big surprise, in a good way.....

judging from preseason and summer league, he is still not ready to contribute in this league.

dantian wrote:judging from preseason and summer league, he is still not ready to contribute in this league.

Lopez would go on to finish the summer league with averages of 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks on 51 percent shooting in just over 25 minutes a game.
I think he can contribute......

^ Come on you can't use Summer League stats

Anthony Randolph would be leading the league in scoring, rebounding and shotblocking if you used that as an accurate gauge.

I expect around 4-5pts 3-4rebs and about 1 blk per.

I don't get all the love for this guy - he's a #15 pick - he should be better than what he's shown so far.
Injury aside, there's nothing to show that he won't end up a career end of the rotation guy. His rebounding numbers are TERRIBLE for a guy his size. I did a massive spiel about this at the end of the year and showed how crap his rebounding is when he plays 20mins, it's something like 3.7 for when he plays at least 20mins.

He doesn't have anything besides height that should warrant him playing more mins than Lou. Besides a better ft stroke, Lou>Lopez. Although I'm sure Mary will argue.

In saying that, I'd like them to put him out there next to Amare just to see how they work defending and rebounding - he does have a massive wingspan and is a good shotblocker.

I'll give him a chance to change my opinion, but as it stands now, I wasn't a fan of the pick then and I hate it now considering how Speights, Chalmers etc have ended up.

Obviously we are going to have a lot of varying opinions as to what Lopez will bring to the table. I for one believe he will provide a lot with his size, wingspan, athleticism and all out hard nosed hustle play. I believe he will bring a big improvement in our post defense and rebounding on both sides of the court. I know there will be a lot of doubters, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, as this is only my opinion, but we shall see. Let him get a few games under his belt to get into game shape and get his bearings with the team and we will let his play speak for itself.

You're right everyone's entitled to their opinion, but this is what I don't get, where is the evidence of him being a good rebounder?

He was weak in college and he's weak in the pros too. Some bigs just aren't good rebounders, and he's a big frame, long arms, decent post defender and a good shotblocker, but NOT a rebounder.

Like I said, I don't see him getting PT over Lou - he embodies what you want off the bench with his athleticism, hustle, and energy which turns into defensive plays and rebounding.

If Lou beats him out for playing time I wonder if Lopez's player option is even picked up for next year?

TASTIC wrote:You're right everyone's entitled to their opinion, but this is what I don't get, where is the evidence of him being a good rebounder?

He was weak in college and he's weak in the pros too. Some bigs just aren't good rebounders, and he's a big frame, long arms, decent post defender and a good shotblocker, but NOT a rebounder.

Like I said, I don't see him getting PT over Lou - he embodies what you want off the bench with his athleticism, hustle, and energy which turns into defensive plays and rebounding.

Yeah well, like I said, let him get a few games under his belt and get into game shape or at least close to it and we will see. But I'm telling you now, he will be a better rebounder, just watch....
and I don't think it will be so much him getting pt "over" Lou, but more splitting playing time, not only that but Lopez will spell the 5, allowing Lou to spell the 4, on the court at the same time, doesn't have to be one or the other ........

MaryvalesFinest wrote:If Lou beats him out for playing time I wonder if Lopez's player option is even picked up for next year?

It has already been picked up.

TASTIC wrote:You're right everyone's entitled to their opinion, but this is what I don't get, where is the evidence of him being a good rebounder?

He was weak in college and he's weak in the pros too. Some bigs just aren't good rebounders, and he's a big frame, long arms, decent post defender and a good shotblocker, but NOT a rebounder.

Like I said, I don't see him getting PT over Lou - he embodies what you want off the bench with his athleticism, hustle, and energy which turns into defensive plays and rebounding.

Yeah I agree that RoLo isn't going to be our knight in shining armor and will probably be good for 4 and 4 or 6 and 3 with mayyyybe 1 block.

Summer League stats are not basis for anything. Many of the people in the Summer league don't ever even make a roster, and even then you are talking about a much lower level of basketball.

I think the only reason RSF used the summer league stats quote was because dantian used the preseason/summer league to say he is not ready.

I think the summer league is a moot point for both sides of the argument.

^They need to make your sig into one of those little talking keychains. I'd buy one

Open the door and hear "Oh brother!"

haha

Wonder why they are going to announce Collins' waive.

PHXfan85 wrote:I think the only reason RSF used the summer league stats quote was because dantian used the preseason/summer league to say he is not ready.

I think the summer league is a moot point for both sides of the argument.

Thank you PHXfan85, you are correct sir.................and again I say, just you watch, all the doubters will be eating crow once he gets going. I am telling you he will provide solid post defense and rebounds on both ends of the floor. Hey maybe I will be the one eating crow, but I seriously doubt it. Dudley's history did not show him playing like he does, Lou was not even known of until he came here, who knew Frye was such a good long distance threat ???? It's not always about what you have done, it's what you are going to do with the opportunity given, especially when you are in a situation that is suited for you. Just ask Dudley and Lou.......

One thing he has going for him is that, in all descriptions I've read, he sounds pretty unhappy about not being in the game, and is channeling that into a lot of workouts.

Even if he's not the second coming of Patrick Ewing - we could only wish - this bench has shown how much a relentless determination matters for a bench. That by itself isn't enough for starters, but I think our bench can out-perform almost any other bench in the league just because they have that crack-addict-twitch need to get the ball and put it into the hole.

Lou was a beast in college, as was Frye, as was Dudley - these guys PROVED at some point that they were players. Lopez was a backup in college i think. I'll give you Frye, when Kerr said he'd make a 100x 3s this year I laughed and said "Yeah. Nice one", but he proved us wrong and should have 100 by about midway through the season.

And I know Tucker was a monster in Wisconsin too, but he was THE man for that team and played a different position, Lopez is and always will be a C. I HOPE he can be a defensive stopper and an energy guy off the bench, I'm just not expecting anything more than what he did last season.

I'll make a sig bet with someone over his rebounds per game if needed