| Lopez Brothers Provide Each Other With Escape Authored by Andrew Perna - January 20, 2009 - 4:08 pm
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These basketball-playing, seven-footers are an eccentric pair. The word so beautifully describes the ‘twin towers’ that Merriam-Webster might as well print a picture of the Lopez brothers alongside the word’s definition.
We knew that Brook, the tenth overall pick by the Nets, would probably enjoy success in the NBA quicker, and perhaps for longer, and short-haired brother has done exactly that through the season’s first half.
Brook is averaging 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game in 41 contests for the Nets, who are 19-22.
Robin, who was taken by the Suns with the fifteenth pick in last June’s NBA Draft, has had the privilege of playing on a better team, but hasn’t posted as impressive numbers individually. The curly-haired brother has put up 3.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game in 27 appearances for Phoenix, who are 23-16.
It’s surprising to hear -- or maybe it isn’t -- that the Lopez brothers rarely discuss hoops when catching up.
“We don’t really talk about basketball that much, actually,” Robin told RealGM on Monday night in Boston. “We live enough basketball as it is, and when we talk it’s just kind of relaxing, you know.”
The NBA’s 82-game slate is a tough one, but not even constant travel, numerous practices and sleep have kept Brook and Robin from talking as often as possible.
“On a daily basis, you know all the wonders of modern technology – texts, instant messaging,” Robin said of how often he talks to Brook.
Robin’s best performance for the Suns came on Nov. 7 against the Bulls when he posted 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 30 minutes of action. He went 6-for-9 from the field against Chicago, the most shots he has attempted in a single-game thus far.
Terry Porter’s insistence on resting Shaquille O’Neal on occasion has allowed Lopez to see significant time at least once a week. However, it has to be difficult for Robin to adapt to a game that’s much different than the college version when he’s playing 32 and 20 minutes in back-to-back games (Dec. 10 and 12), and then not seeing more than 15 minutes of action over the next month.
Nonetheless, it didn’t take long for him to realize how different the professional game is than the amateur ranks.
“People are making better decisions a lot quicker, I think that’s the biggest change I’ve seen so far,” Robin said of his adjustment.
Playing in Phoenix with veterans like Steve Nash, Grant Hill, O’Neal, and Amare Stoudemire, Lopez has already learned quite a bit.
“There are just a bunch of little tricks that will work wonders out there that they have taught me.”
Next month, the NBA’s 2009 All-Star Game will be hosted in Phoenix, Robin’s new hometown. He’s no lock to be picked to play in the Rookie-Sophomore exhibition, but playing for the host team should give him a slight advantage.
Either way, Robin is going to cherish the event.
“I hope so, but I’m still going to enjoy it seeing as it’s going to be in Phoenix,” he said of participating in the game. “It’s a great thing to happen in my rookie year.”
Andrew Perna is Deputy Editor of RealGM.com and co-host of RealGM’s Radio Show. Please feel free to contact him with comments or questions via e-mail: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
