Draft Prospect: Brook Lopez

[Marcus Bryant]

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brook_lopez.jpg

Full Name: Brook Robert Lopez
Position: Center
Height/Weight: 7-0 / 260
Birthdate: April 1, 1988
High School: San Joaquin Memorial HS
College: Stanford

NBA (http://www.nba.com/draft2008/profiles/BrookLopez.html)
NBADraft.net (http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/brooklopez.html)
DraftExpress (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Brook-Lopez-545/)

[duncan228]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5852825.html

Lopez set to leave rap, twin behind
Stanford center Brook anticipates growth in game when he's drafted
By FRAN BLINEBURY
Houston Chronicle

Brook Lopez has heard the rap. That he's a plodding, low-post center who simply took dump-in passes at Stanford and converted them into easy hoops.

There are scouts and other talent evaluators who have said that five years down the line, his younger brother Robin will have the thriving NBA career.

That's OK with the elder — by one minute — of the 20-year-old Lopez twins, who are expected to be drafted Thursday night.

Pounded it on the block

"I'm looking forward to showing a little more of my inside-out game," the 7-foot Brook told reporters at last month's pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla. "We were really going with what worked at Stanford. It was difficult for players to 'D' me up in the post. So that was a strength of ours, and we just pounded it in the block."

The Cardinal pounded it in enough so that Brook averaged 19.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in leading them to a Sweet 16 berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Brook hit the 30-point mark on four occasions and racked up nine double-doubles.

But he's looking forward to taking the next step up in order to branch out with his all-around game.

The positives to his game are solid low-post moves and a good understanding of what he's supposed to do. He can score effectively from out to 18 feet.

The negatives are that scouts wish he had a bit more athleticism in his game — brother Robin does — and showed more of a nose for rebounding and defense.

Brook worked out for teams picking as high as the Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 3) and the Seattle SuperSonics (No. 4), and he seems an almost certain selection in the top 10. The Charlotte Bobcats (No. 9) would like a solid center so they could slide Emeka Okafor to power forward.

Minnesota general manager Kevin McHale has said he could envision Lopez teaming up with Al Jefferson on the Wolves' front line to give them a 21st-century combination similar to his playing career in Boston alongside Robert Parish.

"I think it would work out well," Brook said. "Al Jefferson being a very accomplished low-post scorer, and I wouldn't really have to worry about the double- and triple-teams I faced in college. It would be more one-on-one, and I just do what I can. I'd really be looking to play the five position."

Wherever he goes, it will likely be without "kid" brother Robin competing at his side for the first time since they began playing basketball in the first grade.

"I just won't have that guy following me around anymore," Brook said.

The twins' mother, Deborah Ledford, told the Associated Press that Brook and Robin used to have intra-family wars while taking each other on in the driveway.

"If Brook beat Robin, there were no fights afterward," she said. "But if Robin beat Brook, then Brook would get upset. I can remember him throwing a basketball and breaking the screen (door)."

Emulates Duncan

Showing that kind of fire and competitive spark would go a long way toward Brook carving out a regular spot in the NBA.

But he insists he's not going to change his personality to sell himself. The pro player Brook has always wanted to emulate is taciturn Tim Duncan.

"(Duncan) is not really flashy," Brook said. "He's just a guy that goes in there and does what's required of him and does what's asked of him. That's who I want to be."

[T Park]

Bust in the making.

Sounds like another Luc Longley or Felton Spencer.

[angelbelow]

luc longley was not a bust, he contributed nicely to the bulls 2nd repeat.

[ChumpDumper]

He has a woman's name.

[SequSpur]

yep. spurs.

[T Park]

luc longley was not a bust, he contributed nicely to the bulls 2nd repeat.

Luc Longley was a lottery pick with the Timberwolves who never amounted to what he should've.

He GREATLY benefited from Jordan.

Bust.