The
biggest (at least height-wise) addition to the Blazers this season is C Robin
Lopez. Mostly known for his college days at Stanford, the 5-year vet comes to
Portland ready to prove himself and show that he belongs in the NBA.
Unfortunately for Robin, his twin brother Brook has been a stellar center for
the Brooklyn Nets, and Robin has never really lived up to the same
expectations. He plans to make his mark in Portland starting this year.
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Photo Courtesy of: wikimedia.org |
In
college he was a block machine. Standing at 7’0” will help you become a
dominant blocker. However, saying it and showing it are two different things,
so here are the stats to prove it. While at Stanford he accumulated 156 blocks
in two seasons with the Cardinal. The 73 blocks he had his freshman year set a
Stanford record for freshman and it was the second highest block total in
Stanford history. Rebounding has been good, but the Blazers need him to be
great. During his years at Stanford he had 172 and 204 rebounds, respectively.
He averaged 5.5 and 5.7 rebounds per game over those two seasons. Offense wasn’t
his greatest strength either, while in college he averaged 7.5 and 10.2 points
per game for his seasons in college.
Now
that I've covered his background in college, let’s focus on his body of work
for the pros. Last season was his highest point per game total of his career,
and it’s no surprise why, Robin finally got a chance to start. He scored 11.3
PPG. Before 2012-13, Lopez only started a combined 94 games, he started all 82
last year. He also had his highest rebounding average at 5.6 per game. Last
year was the first time he had more than 250 rebounds in a season, and he
crushed that with 462 total. He also cracked 100+ blocks in a pro season for
the first time with 128. Naturally with more playing time came more opportunity
to foul and turn the ball over. He averaged 2 fouls and 1.3 TO per game last
season.
The
Blazers have high hopes and even higher expectations out of the Stanford
product. Upon being acquired by the Blazers in the three team trade with New
Orleans and Sacramento, Lopez was immediately named the starting center
entering the 2013-14 season. Although the Blazers want Meyers Leonard to
eventually be their center of the future, Lopez brings experience and a veteran
presence at center. As much as everyone, including myself, loved J.J. Hickson,
he was undersized and sometimes outmatched. Hickson held his own, but his
height disadvantage was well-documented and exploited by some of the best
centers in the game. With two 7-footers in Lopez and Leonard the Blazers are on
track to be able to dominate and affect shots from opposing teams.
Lopez
is a step in the right direction for the Blazers. He gives Leonard someone to
strive to beat instead of Leonard just being handed the job because he is the
up and coming center of the future. Lopez brings veteran leadership at a vital
position in the starting lineup. Teams will also have to think twice before
they double L.A. now because of Lopez’s ability to create space and finish at
the basket. Having L.A. (6’11”) and Lopez (7’0”) will cause defenses and
offenses fits. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some plays that have the
two giants alley-ooping to each other. The west better get ready for some high
flying Blazer games.
Finally,
Lopez will be a key cog to the Blazers as long as he produces. I can see Terry
Stotts taking Lopez out early and often if Leonard is progressing the way they
want and see him doing soon. That being said, Leonard will really have to prove
himself to unseat Lopez. Robin has proven that when his team gives him a chance,
he can shine. He may not shine as bright as his brother, but the Blazers don’t
need him to be Brook. The Blazers need Robin to alter shots, rebound and occasionally
finish shots at the rim, if he can do that, he’ll fit in just fine.