Brook Lopez re-signs with Nets

[Andrew]

Four years, $61 million. As Woj notes here, it effectively ends Brooklyn's pursuit of Dwight Howard.

A few things had to fall into place for them to get Howard such as finding a team to take Kris Humphries in a sign-and-trade, so it's understandable that they'd want to hold on to the starting centre they already have. However, it's a lot of money to give someone coming off major injuries and with a couple of glaring weaknesses for a big man. Lopez has talent, he's fairly good offensively, a strong free throw shooter for his position and he can block shots. However, his rebounding leaves much to be desired, not even topping five per game per 36 minutes last year and sitting at just six per game in a full season the year before last.

His first couple of years were more respectable as he was up over eight rebounds per game and if he dedicated himself more to cleaning up on the boards he'd probably be a 20 and 10 player in the right situation. As it stands, with Williams, Johnson and Wallace on the team he should probably at least be posting Joakim Noah-type numbers, a double-double along the lines of a 12 and 10. That wouldn't be too bad, indeed the Bulls are paying Noah a similar amount of money for that kind of production. Lopez doesn't have the same defense, rebounding and hustle though, meaning the Nets are overpaying for an offensive player who isn't going to get enough touches to do what he actually does well.

[graybakflip]

Maybe he's gonna have a break-out season this year, he was great for the nets his 1st 2 seasons, played w/ VC and harris where he's dont need to demand the ball on offense, after that season, he was the focal point of their offense(frequent double or triple teams on him) w/ not much help. Now you can't double team him or else JJ/dwill/crash gonna cheery-pick the points for them. maybe a 17 and 9 would be realistic goal for him.

I wonder why there's no 5th yr in that contract(w/c is basically the same he could receive from other teams), but no doubt a well deserved contract for him.

[Andrew]

I admire your optimism, but I don't think he's going to get enough touches on this team to really play to his strengths and he's not a great defender or even a good rebounder for a big man. I wouldn't say it's a well deserved contract at all.

[graybakflip]

maybe your right sir andrew. but as what dwill said himself, he has high hopes for brook. they've played w/ each other like for more or less 10 games(his stats were like 20+ , 6, 1.5 ) in 1 1/2 seasons dwill played in NJ. he is really under appreciated since he's playing for the lowly nj nets. and like what i've said he was not that bad/poor rebounder and defender before while playing w/ better supporting cast (aging VC and devin), imagine w/ his support now? allstar back-court w/ crash. Even bynum if he was on lopez' shoes he would look awfull in the previous(post carter) NJ nets team. I am more concerned about his health rather than he surprising me coming this season..

[Andrew]

I don't see how a better supporting cast will improve his rebounding. Only a willingness to go after them and dedication to fundamentals such as positioning and boxing out will achieve that.

[graybakflip]

just wanna share this sir Andrew. Found this stats, w/c directly supports my opinion that he shouldn't be underestimated(really, he doesn't get that much attention since he's on the nets)

vs Andrew Bynum
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=bynuman01&p2=lopezbr01

vs Tyson Chandler
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=chandty01&p2=lopezbr01

The only match up he had problems with is against Dwight(w/c obviously w/ every C in the league). He might not get that much touch this season, but he'll be a match up problem w/ dwill/JJ/crash. This time he shouldn't focus on his offense rather improve more on his rebounding and help defense. Really no doubt he deserves his contract w/ that talent..

[Jackal]

Yeah sir Andrew, I don't think you should underappreciate players like that, in fact if you look at Milicic vs Bynum you can see that if Darko had Bryant & Gasol around him he'd be the better player.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=bynuman01&p2=milicda01

See? Basically he'd get more rebounds than Bynum and the scoring is not that far off either. It's just because he's been on lesser teams he doesn't get the recognition.

[NovU]

NovU of the Nets wouldn't hurt this forum.

[graybakflip]

Yeah sir Andrew, I don't think you should underappreciate players like that, in fact if you look at Milicic vs Bynum you can see that if Darko had Bryant & Gasol around him he'd be the better player.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=bynuman01&p2=milicda01

See? Basically he'd get more rebounds than Bynum and the scoring is not that far off either. It's just because he's been on lesser teams he doesn't get the recognition.

hahaha?..



my point is he really deserves that max contract, look at what mcgee had?c'mon..

[Kenny]

JaVale McGee also has freakish athletic ability, one of the largest (if not the largest) wingspans in the NBA and was one of the league's leading shot blockers last season. He had some huge games against the Lakers in the playoffs too. There are worse players out there getting 10+ million a year (or at least I think so).

[Andrew]

Those stats really only prove that he's been able to put up some good numbers in 11 of the 251 career games he's played, but you're entitled to your optimism. Given the way his rebounding numbers per 36 have declined every year he's been in the league, I remain skeptical that he'll suddenly become a rebounding machine and that he's worth a max deal.

[NovU]

I agree with Andrew's very first post and that's probably what I had said myself about the signing.

But the kid probably will find a role that suits him better with better teammates. While I'm highly skeptical, there's glimpse of hope lies with their team. Again... grossly overpaid salaries. That's my only complaint at the moment.

[Andrew]

It's good to know that the lockout accomplished so much when it's all said and done.

[Stress Fracture]

Again... grossly overpaid salaries. That's my only complaint at the moment.

I don't know why, but I'm remembered with the Knicks team a few years ago.

[Andrew]

I'd say those Knicks teams were worse off, though. While I'm not sure about giving Lopez the max, Joe Johnson's contract isn't great and Wallace is probably also overpaid, it's nothing like Isiah Thomas signing Jerome James to that ridiculous contract after he overachieved once in the Playoffs, or some of the other moves they made during that era.

[deihatein]

signing Jerome James to that ridiculous contract after he overachieved once in the Playoffs

Seriously