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View Full Version : Robin Lopez expected to be in starting lineup on Monday


djohn2oo8
05-15-2010, 08:28 AM
Robin Lopez has two milestones coming in his expected return to the starting lineup Monday.
He will play a game for the first time since March 26 and will be making his career playoff debut.

"I don't think it's hit me yet," Lopez said. "I think it'll hit me on the floor. I feel like I've been out there with the guys when I've been watching them the previous series."

Lopez said his conditioning and right-leg strength, an issue because of his bulging disk pinching a nerve, have improved and he feels his instincts returning. The 7-footer is a welcome addition against the Lakers' frontline size."I'm going to have to crash the boards and deter easy layups," Lopez said


Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/05/14/20100514suns-only-hope-contain-kobe-bryant.html#ixzz0o0L7Ps8F
pauls931
05-15-2010, 08:30 AM
A road playoff game in the WCF @LA is going to be a rough place to start. Hope he can at least keep LA from getting easy boards and putbacks. I bet he gets 2 quick fouls in the first 3 minutes, Phil's going to go right at him from the start.
Giuseppe
05-15-2010, 09:01 AM
Oh, Pauly-boy, are you still picking my Lakers, sonny?
Bob Lanier
05-15-2010, 09:12 AM
Ah, the battle of the maybe-someday stiffs.
Giuseppe
05-15-2010, 09:22 AM
Though our "maybe-someday" one stuck Howie in a hole last June.

Just like that.
RedsLakers24
05-15-2010, 02:48 PM
Ohh Shit, It's over for the Lakers now
PGDynasty24
05-15-2010, 03:38 PM
Series over. Suns in 5
Sisk
05-15-2010, 04:06 PM
lol @ lakers fans acting like this is some sort of statement by the OP or attack
lurker
05-15-2010, 04:17 PM
lol @ lakers fans acting like this is some sort of statement by the OP or attackThat's what bugs me the most about the Lakers fans here. They're insecure and overly defensive.
HarlemHeat37
05-15-2010, 05:03 PM
It's a huge addition though, I don't understand why people would ignore it..

Apparently Bynum's knee is getting worse, hurting more with increased swelling..the more he plays basketball, the worse it's going to get..I expect Bynum to play through it, as the Lakers have said he's expected to, but he's obviously not going to be as effective as he would usually be..tough to play with a lot of pain and swelling..

If Lopez can cancel out Bynum, which is possible considering this news(obviously not a lock, since Bynum's injury may not be as bad as indicated, and Lopez might not be up to speed), then that's a huge deal for the Suns..it would make the Lakers' size advantage a lot easier to deal with..
mojorizen7
05-15-2010, 05:19 PM
I expect Lopez to play 10-12 minutes in game 1.....grab a few rebounds,get into foul trouble and sit in the 4th qtr.

I could see Lopez emerging by game 3(at which point i would hope the series is tied).
It's very likely that as Lopez finds his groove that Bynum begins to dissappear with the knee injury which could really turn the tide of the series.

Fuck knows though....
Ashy Larry
05-15-2010, 05:24 PM
with or without Lopez, it's going to be a tough series for the Lakers. Odom is definitely the key.
mavsfan1000
05-15-2010, 05:26 PM
I don't like the idea of a player being out that long and immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Well I guess the Suns need to match the Lakers size but I think Frye would be the better option to start and force Gasol on the perimeter.
milkshakeballa
05-15-2010, 05:28 PM
I don't like the idea of a player being out that long and immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Well I guess the Suns need to match the Lakers size but I think Frye would be the better option to start and force Gasol on the perimeter.

agreed
milkshakeballa
05-15-2010, 05:28 PM
That's what bugs me the most about the Lakers fans here. They're insecure and overly defensive.


:whine
mojorizen7
05-15-2010, 05:54 PM
I don't like the idea of a player being out that long and immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Well I guess the Suns need to match the Lakers size but I think Frye would be the better option to start and force Gasol on the perimeter.

I understand where your coming from and normally i'd agree but i think the SUNS thinking is that by starting the insignificant Collins at center(playing limited minutes) thru this playoff run that putting Lopez in there won't be such a chemistry killer.

I think Gentry will utilize Frye with the smaller lineups(when Amare/Lopez are in foul trouble).
daslicer
05-15-2010, 06:17 PM
He has great length and height which will be useful against LA. If he can just get rebounds, block a few shots, and prevent the lakers from getting putbacks then he will be very useful out there.
mavsfan1000
05-15-2010, 06:28 PM
Btw I'd put Lopez on Gasol. Gasol is a matchup nightmare for Amare. Look what he did to Boozer. Bynum is not healthy and not as much of a threat imo.
pauls931
05-15-2010, 06:32 PM
Btw I'd put Lopez on Gasol. Gasol is a matchup nightmare for Amare. Look what he did to Boozer. Bynum is not healthy and not as much of a threat imo.

I think if Lopez does as much as look at Gasol he'll get a foul. But yeah, no one has been able to match up with Gasol yet...
mojorizen7
05-15-2010, 06:50 PM
Btw I'd put Lopez on Gasol. Gasol is a matchup nightmare for Amare. Look what he did to Boozer. Bynum is not healthy and not as much of a threat imo.

Initially i'd give Lopez the easier defensive assignment against Bynum. I think as the series goes on Lopez on Gasol could be an option.

Lamar fucking Odum is the one who scares me in this series. Bad matchup for us.

I think Gasol/Amare is a wash.....
Bynum/Lopez...meh
Nash/Dragic >>>any small guards you throw out there..........
I think Artest takes JRich out of this series but our stopper Grant Hill will take better shots than Artest.......
I like our young,aggressive bench....
Worrying about Kobe is like worrying about germs in the air.....getting into an automobile accident.....getting struck by lightening........D'Antoni winning a championship.....
mavsfan1000
05-15-2010, 07:27 PM
I understand where your coming from and normally i'd agree but i think the SUNS thinking is that by starting the insignificant Collins at center(playing limited minutes) thru this playoff run that putting Lopez in there won't be such a chemistry killer.

I think Gentry will utilize Frye with the smaller lineups(when Amare/Lopez are in foul trouble).
Once Odom comes in the game, the perimeter style won't be as effective. I understand why you want to wait for Frye but I think he would be best effective when Gasol is at PF.
Ghazi
05-15-2010, 07:29 PM
Ah, the battle of the maybe-someday stiffs.
mavsfan1000
05-15-2010, 07:32 PM
Initially i'd give Lopez the easier defensive assignment against Bynum. I think as the series goes on Lopez on Gasol could be an option.

Lamar fucking Odum is the one who scares me in this series. Bad matchup for us.

I remember the past. Marion's defense on Odom was not good. I think this team has a better understanding of defense now though with a better coach.
milkshakeballa
05-15-2010, 07:35 PM
Initially i'd give Lopez the easier defensive assignment against Bynum. I think as the series goes on Lopez on Gasol could be an option.

Lamar fucking Odum is the one who scares me in this series. Bad matchup for us.

I think Gasol/Amare is a wash.....
Bynum/Lopez...meh
Nash/Dragic >>>any small guards you throw out there..........
I think Artest takes JRich out of this series but our stopper Grant Hill will take better shots than Artest.......
I like our young,aggressive bench....
Worrying about Kobe is like worrying about germs in the air.....getting into an automobile accident.....getting struck by lightening........D'Antoni winning a championship.....


:wow:wow:wow:wow


And JRich will AT LEAST get his at home. He will probably struggle in LA though.