How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

[J_Posse]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

Depending on the situation, probably right at 10. He is really sturdy and strong. He has a good touch around the basket. Lopez favors hookers and fadeaways if he can't get his shoulder past his defender. Not a good passer if it isn't a handoff. Court vision is not where it needs to be.

He has lead feet and is a slow jumper. He moves slow laterally and blows many rotations. He will need to play with some great athletes to ever have success. Overall, he is good.

That's why all the Tim Duncan comparisons during the pre-draft process and now make me laugh. He's more comparable, much like Al Jefferson, to the current Timmy (who is very slow of foot) than Duncan in his prime.

On-topic: I think Brook is definitely a top 10 center in the L. He's got a nice array of moves near the basket and his jumper continues to improve. He's already solid rebounding while he should snag double-digits rebounds this up coming season. But, just like AlexBrady said he's gotta improve his defense to make the Nets a playoff bound team and a threat in the future. I'd probably put him below Andrew Bynum, but above Al Horford in the pecking order of centers.

[Brankles]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

Who is better than Lopez as a true C? (No Amare or Bosh or Bargnani at C)

Off the top of my head, here are some of the NBA's best centers, if healthy

Dwight
Yao
Biedrins
Bynum
Kaman
Camby
Nene
Chandler
Okafor
Perkins
Okur
Marc Gasol
Gortat
Horford
Dalembert
Shaq
Haywood
DeMarcus Cousins (R)
Noah


I think it's safe to say that Brook is top 5, and arguable that he's top 3. The only guys for sure, no question, I would put ahead of him are Yao (healthy) and Dwight.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

Who is better than Lopez as a true C? (No Amare or Bosh or Bargnani at C)

Off the top of my head, here are some of the NBA's best centers, if healthy

Dwight
Yao
Biedrins
Bynum
Kaman
Camby
Nene
Chandler
Okafor
Perkins
Okur
Marc Gasol
Gortat
Horford
Dalembert
Shaq
Haywood
DeMarcus Cousins (R)
Noah


I think it's safe to say that Brook is top 5, and arguable that he's top 3. The only guys for sure, no question, I would put ahead of him are Yao (healthy) and Dwight.

Don't forget Andrew Bogut

Dwight, Yao, Kaman, Lopez, Bynum and Bogut are my top 6 in no particular order.

[Brankles]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

Oops, forgot about Bogut. I was trying to go through team-by-team and knew I would forget a big name or two.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

Definitely a top ten center.

The problem is that he is slower than molasses and is pretty bad in the transition game. He's definitely not a franchise guy.

Yeah, this is kind of how I see him. I might rank him a bit higher, but as someone said earlier, it might be more of an indictment of the position rather than praise for Lopez. Still, NJ has a few nice young guys and he's certainly one of them.

[J_Posse]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

Oops, forgot about Bogut. I was trying to go through team-by-team and knew I would forget a big name or two.

You have to consider Duncan a center at this point in his career. Tim doesn't have the lateral quickness nor the mobility to be PF anymore. The Spurs like to hide the fact that he's a center, and Duncan may still be in denial, by labeling Bonner and McDyess as "centers."

My list:

1. Dwight Howard
2. Tim Duncan
3. Yao Ming*
4. Andrew Bogut
5. Andrew Bynum*
6. Brook Lopez
7. Al Horford
8. Chris Kaman
9. Shaquille O'Neal
10. Greg Oden*

* - All three are big injury risks, although Yao may be the most severe. I definitely wouldn't "pick" them if I had a choice in the top 10, but as far as talent they are.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

You have to consider Duncan a center at this point in his career. Tim doesn't have the lateral quickness nor the mobility to be PF anymore. The Spurs like to hide the fact that he's a center, and Duncan may still be in denial, by labeling Bonner and McDyess as "centers."

My list:

1. Dwight Howard
2. Tim Duncan
3. Yao Ming*
4. Andrew Bogut
5. Andrew Bynum*
6. Brook Lopez
7. Al Horford
8. Chris Kaman
9. Shaquille O'Neal
10. Greg Oden*

* - All three are big injury risks, although Yao may be the most severe. I definitely wouldn't "pick" them if I had a choice in the top 10, but as far as talent they are.

I'd have a hard time arguing with that list. Only one I could maybe make a case that he isn't a top 10 center is Shaq. He's pretty much completely worthless out there. I'd replace him with Noah.

[Dewie12]

Re: How do you guys like Brook Lopez?

You have to consider Duncan a center at this point in his career. Tim doesn't have the lateral quickness nor the mobility to be PF anymore. The Spurs like to hide the fact that he's a center, and Duncan may still be in denial, by labeling Bonner and McDyess as "centers."

My list:

1. Dwight Howard
2. Tim Duncan
3. Yao Ming*
4. Andrew Bogut
5. Andrew Bynum*
6. Brook Lopez
7. Al Horford
8. Chris Kaman
9. Shaquille O'Neal
10. Greg Oden*

* - All three are big injury risks, although Yao may be the most severe. I definitely wouldn't "pick" them if I had a choice in the top 10, but as far as talent they are.

I like this list, except for Shaq. His pick n roll defense makes him a detriment more than a positive. Also Duncan is past his prime. I would put him at 6 or so. His defense has slipped a lot.