Basically throughout his entire Nets career, Brook Lopez has been on the trading block. Whether it was rumors for Dwight Howard back in 2010, Dwight again in 2012, or this season with teams like the Thunder, Heat, and others being mentioned, Lopez’ name is always being talked about around the league.
He’s a guy who many teams seem to want, except for his own and his current head coach. Brook Lopez currently comes off the bench in Lionel Hollins’ rotation, which really hasn’t made a difference from when he was starting, as the Nets are 17-24 and have lost eight out of their 10.
In that 10 game span Lopez has been averaging 15.3 points on 52% shooting from the field, 7.2 rebounds, while only averaging 25 minutes a game. To me those are pretty solid and consistent numbers. Lopez is a rare big man, as he has a nice perimeter game and an even better post game. He shoots 83% from the free throw line, which is very rare for a center. There are very few centers in the entire league, if any, who have a better offensive game then Brook Lopez.
I was watching the Nets game against the Wizards on Saturday, as the Nets were coming off a 102-80 win against that very same Washington team the previous night. In the first meeting, Brook Lopez scored 26 points going eight of 14 from the field, including 10-12 from the free throw line in 23 minutes. The very next night, against the same team Lopez had 15 points, five rebounds, and went five of six from the field in 27 minutes off the bench. The Nets lost the second game 99-90 on their home floor.
Kevin Garnett was traded to the Nets last season along with two other guys who currently play on other teams in exchange for four players and three draft picks, with the right to swap another pick. Garnett is not the player he once was. Father time has caught up with the future hall of famer, and his numbers prove that.
The Big Ticket is averaging six points and six rebounds a game in almost 22 minutes. He usually sits the back end of a back-to-back games, but played in both games this past weekend against the Wizards. I say this because with about five minutes left in Saturday night’s game, Lionel Hollins took Brook Lopez, who had 15 points, out and subbed Kevin Garnett in, who had six points at the time and finished with eight.
The Nets had an awful shooting night, shooting 43% from the field. Jarrett Jack, who scored 22 points, and Lopez were the lone bright spots. One could make an argument for Joe Johnson, as he also scored 15 like Lopez, but he also missed 11 shots.
The Wizards knew Jarrett Jack was going to be the Nets go-to-guy down the stretch and forced other Nets players to score. One would think that could be Joe Johnson, but he struggled all night going six of 17 from the field. The other guys on the court at the time were Bojan Bogdanovic, Mason Plumlee, and Kevin Garnett. Nobody else would step up and the Wizards won by nine.
My question: Why wasn’t Brook Lopez in the game? He scored 26 the night before against the same team, was the second leading scorer, and is the overall second leading scorer on the team behind Joe Johnson. Lopez is the teams second best option and not on the court when he was needed most. Why doesn’t Lionel Hollins utilize him?
This is the exact reason Lionel Hollins was fired in Memphis. Yes he brought them to the Western Conference Finals, however he “mis utilized” his big men poorly. Don’t believe that comment? Go look at Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol’s stats the past two seasons under Dave Jager compared to Lionel Hollins.
Brook Lopez needs to be in the game late when the team needs points. That’s his game, he’s a pure scoring big man. He can get you points from the paint, mid range, and can step out and shoot a 20 foot jump shot.
There is no reason why Kevin Garnett should be in late when you have the one of the best scoring big men in the league on your bench.
Other teams have heavy interest in Brook Lopez, it’s a shame that his own team doesn’t.
