Brook Lopez

[brock]

Can anyone give me any insight into Brook Lopez???

As a Grizz fan, I know they have a need for a C or Pf.

Draft is looking like Rose / Beasley 1/2 (no particular order)

3. Min Lopez or Mayo

4. Sea Bayless

5. Mem Mayo or Lopez

I just worry that if Minny takes Mayo at 3, then Lopez falls Wallace will introduce him to the local tattoo artist and we will have re-visited the Cherokee Parks era again.

Is Memphis better off taking Gallinari, Ranolph, Gordon, or Settling with Lopez.

thanks

[JMillott]

I would honestly go with the upside pick if I was the Grizzlies and take a shot that Deandre Jordan ends up living up to his physical talents.

You couldn't ask for a better physical skillset at the center position for a team that wants to run up and down the court than Jordan.

In my opinion drafting Brook Lopez would make the Pau Gasol trade even dumber then it already is.

[GSW2K4]

I agree...I'm still shocked he's so high on so many boards..

He just doesn't seem worth a #5 pick... but oh well...

[BigSlam]

The Grizz need an offensive post threat to take some of the heat off Gay and Miller to allow them more open shots.

Lopez gives them that.

I like Lopez in Memphis. He has a high BBIQ and so long as he learns to trust his team mates and pass the rock instead of force it up, he'll help Conley, Miller, Gay and even Darko.

[GJense4181]

Lopez doesn't even shoot **** 47% from the field!
In COLLEGE!
As an offensively-oriented 7-footer!

Are you kidding me?

[BigSlam]

Lopez doesn't even shoot **** 47% from the field!
In COLLEGE!
As an offensively-oriented 7-footer!

Are you kidding me?

Can't clogg the lane in the NBA as much as you can in the NCAA so he'll have more room to work which will improve his shot selection.

DeAndre Jordan averaged 62% from the floor at Texas A&M. Does that make him a better offensive player than Lopez?

[wilt]

and it

[GSW2K4]

The Grizz need an offensive post threat to take some of the heat off Gay and Miller to allow them more open shots.

Lopez gives them that.

I like Lopez in Memphis. He has a high BBIQ and so long as he learns to trust his team mates and pass the rock instead of force it up, he'll help Conley, Miller, Gay and even Darko.

Well... I think there's another way to look at Memphis' needs...

The thing that jumps out at me about a lineup with Miller, Gay and Darko (plus Warrick) is that they can't defend their own shadow. Conley has good instincts and Warrick and Darko can block shots, but man to man, the best defender in their projected starting lineup is Gay... that's not good.

Brook Lopez is exactly what they don't need -- I don't know if people haven't watched him or don't want to believe it, but the guy does not attack the boards on defense (Robin took care of a lot of that) and on offense, many of his points came on tap ins and put backs because he was so much bigger than everyone else. Take those away from him, and he's an even worse shooter. He's not very athletic, so NBA 7 footers will eat him alive on both ends of the court. So then, what does he offer an NBA team?

So he's a role player that I can't see offering much on a consistent basis a team and the Grizzlies need a rugged player who they can count on to contribute something down the line.

This draft doesn't seem to favor a team like Memphis who has some scorers but needs a legit post threat for scoring and rebounding. It's a draft full of guys who can fill roles next to star players. And some of the best talent is at the 2-3, tweener 4 positions where the Grizz already have Gay/Miller/Darko.

Randolph might be an interesting pick... but he'll just be another bad defender on a team full of them. They could say they have nothing to lose and gamble on Jordan... but why not just trade the pick -- and somebody from their point guard stock -- to a team who can pick up a player that fits their system?

[GJense4181]

-= original quote snipped =-



Can't clogg the lane in the NBA as much as you can in the NCAA so he'll have more room to work which will improve his shot selection.

DeAndre Jordan averaged 62% from the floor at Texas A&M. Does that make him a better offensive player than Lopez?

You tell me.
Would you rather have Dwight Howard or Spencer Hawes? Or, to not be so dramatic, Howard or Rasheed Wallace?

Having an offensive repertoire is the ideal, but NOT if it comes at a low shooting percentage.

I can't see how somebody is so *refined* offensively when he can't even hit half of his shots.

[LPKingsFan]

Brook Lopez is exactly what they don't need -- I don't know if people haven't watched him or don't want to believe it, but the guy does not attack the boards on defense (Robin took care of a lot of that) and on offense, many of his points came on tap ins and put backs because he was so much bigger than everyone else. Take those away from him, and he's an even worse shooter. He's not very athletic, so NBA 7 footers will eat him alive on both ends of the court. So then, what does he offer an NBA team?

He's a competitor, and I find it hard to believe he'll be "eaten alive" once he gets acclimated in the league. He did take bad shots last year, but Stanford's offense last year was simply give Brook the ball and stand around. He won't be facing immediate double teams, either.

[GSW2K4]

-= original quote snipped =-

He's a competitor, and I find it hard to believe he'll be "eaten alive" once he gets acclimated in the league. He did take bad shots last year, but Stanford's offense last year was simply give Brook the ball and stand around. He won't be facing immediate double teams, either.

I hear that. He'll definitely not be the primary target in the pros. And eaten alive is a bit hyperbolic.

But a) he's not the first 7 footer who has seen double teams, b) he responded very poorly to the doubles given that he knew they were coming, and c) I would be more forgiving if he was only missing jumpers....often he was missing shots in the paint and getting put backs due to his size.

If he can't handle a college double team, he is going to struggle to produce against NBA defenses with bigger, faster, and stronger players. Even as a role player, he'll be easy to neutralize offensively. If his scoring is limited, he's not going to offer much more at the NBA level.

Most 7 footers who have done well in the NBA have been in similar positions by virtue of their size and managed to shoot over 50 or even 60 percent... I'm trying to find an example of someone with Lopez's situation that succeeded...maybe he will indeed defy the odds.

If you make the claim that Lopez is a bogus call at 3-5 you also have to consider the guys behind him.

The way I see it, there are better basketball players in the draft behind him. No, they aren't 7 feet, but Gallinari, Gordon, Westbrook, Alexander, Love possibly even Randolph will all be better basketball players -- the Grizz just probably don't need them. But they do need talent...so I would try to trade the pick to someone who could really use those players.

[GswStorm3]

Brook Lopez is my odds on favorite to become a bust.

[The_Believer]

^^^ So you don't think Jordan will?

[GswStorm3]

No, but whoever drafts Jordan should get him a good big man coach.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

I love threads like this.

If your team thinks Brook Lopez will be a bust, then let him drop all the way to 13 so the Blazers can take him. Then, as he and Oden team up to be the most dominant C rotation this side of Duncan/Robinson, you all will cringe.

Lopez probably won't be as good as Andrew Bogut, but one could make a case that he can still be a top-15 center in this league with a little help. It also helps that he's not an idiot (although he doesn't go to class).

[LPKingsFan]

I love threads like this.

If your team thinks Brook Lopez will be a bust, then let him drop all the way to 13 so the Blazers can take him. Then, as he and Oden team up to be the most dominant C rotation this side of Duncan/Robinson, you all will cringe.

Lopez probably won't be as good as Andrew Bogut, but one could make a case that he can still be a top-15 center in this league with a little help. It also helps that he's not an idiot (although he doesn't go to class).

Yeah, this thread will be hilarious on draft day, or perhaps a few years from now.

But I hope your GMs feel the same way and Lopez slides to the Kings! Sorry PhilipNelson Fan, he's not making it past 12!

[Cammo101]

-= original quote snipped =-



Yeah, this thread will be hilarious on draft day, or perhaps a few years from now.

But I hope your GMs feel the same way and Lopez slides to the Kings! Sorry PhilipNelson Fan, he's not making it past 12!

Agreed. The Lopez hate on this board astounds me. His consistancy and lack of flash has causes people to immediately label him a bust. I find it hilarious that people who root for teams that would kill for a guy like Kamen or Bogut, want to pass on Lopez in order to take some athletic, flawed combo guard because they are blinded by flash and style. Meanwhile Lopez will average 14 and 8 next year as a rookie and Minnesota and Memphis fans will be right back here next year searching for a big man still and living in the lottery forever because they just want to stockpile SG's. But, man are those SG's athletic and look at all that star potential they have on their bench.

[GSW2K4]

Kaman and Bogut where at another level when they left college... I don't think people saw much of Kaman in college... he was putting up amazing numbers over triple teams. Say what you want about competition, he played with an urgency and confidence that Lopez just lacks. And Kaman has worked out well.

Granted, they also left college later...and Lopez will inevitably develop over time. But I watched a few Stanford games (one in person) and every time I was left thinking he's the biggest kid on the court, next to another big kid, and he doesn't seem to know how to use his skills to dominate this game. He really doesn't read situations well.

I'm not saying he's a terrible player -- he's easily a lottery pick in this draft. But at #3-5, there will be players drafted after him that someone will regret passing on.

I could see him as a role player where he plays the high post with another low post center. I think he'll be best in a situation where he is more of a role player and can focus on a few pick and roll type plays and put backs.

14 and 8? He got 19 and 8 in college... and 3 of that 8 were off rebs around the basket that he won't get in the pros...

Whoever drafts him is going have to be willing to work with him or we might have another Patrick O'Bryant situation...

[Teen Girl Squad]

Lopez must be the most hated top 5 pick I've ever seen. But then again Jordan will be better because he's 3 months younger and sucked more than Lopez, which means he has more upside apparently.

[Cammo101]

Kaman and Bogut where at another level when they left college... I don't think people saw much of Kaman in college... he was putting up amazing numbers over triple teams. Say what you want about competition, he played with an urgency and confidence that Lopez just lacks. And Kaman has worked out well.

Granted, they also left college later...and Lopez will inevitably develop over time. But I watched a few Stanford games (one in person) and every time I was left thinking he's the biggest kid on the court, next to another big kid, and he doesn't seem to know how to use his skills to dominate this game. He really doesn't read situations well.

I'm not saying he's a terrible player -- he's easily a lottery pick in this draft. But at #3-5, there will be players drafted after him that someone will regret passing on.

I could see him as a role player where he plays the high post with another low post center. I think he'll be best in a situation where he is more of a role player and can focus on a few pick and roll type plays and put backs.

14 and 8? He got 19 and 8 in college... and 3 of that 8 were off rebs around the basket that he won't get in the pros...

Whoever drafts him is going have to be willing to work with him or we might have another Patrick O'Bryant situation...

Lopez was a better high school senior than Bogut or Kamen. He was a better college freshman than Bogut or Kamen. He was a better college sophmore than Bogut or Kamen. And he will be a better NBA player than Bogut or Kamen. And I like both Bogut and Kamen.