Post by Miege22 on Aug 21, 2012 21:25:59 GMT -5
The Trailblazers have elected to use a re-sign on center Brook Lopez.
Brook Lopez has proven himself to be a very good scorer. He's averaged almost 20 ppg the last three years, while shooting good percentages from the floor and free throw line. He's only 24, so he should continue to get better, in theory. Lopez is also a very good shotblocker, as shown by his career block average of 1.6 per game.
Now, the negatives. Brook Lopez played just FIVE games last year, and he broke the same foot twice. Foot injuries, in the past, have been DEATH KNELLS for big men. Off the top of my head, I can only think of one center who has come back from chronic lower leg injuries and been productive (Zydrunas). Think of the big men that have had their careers ruined by lower leg/foot injuries: Walton, Bowie, Oden, etc. I can go on and on, but the point is this: Re-signing him is a HUGE risk given the foot problem.
You may be saying to yourself, "It was one season, and he doesn't have a history of sustaining these kinds of injuries." That is technically true. But then you look back at his previous season... and it leaves a lot to be desired. His scoring improved, but his percentages dropped. His rebounding dropped significantly. Even his assists took a hit. Something was happening there, and it wasn't good from a fantasy perspective.
Based on what other centers are making, and what Gortat and Hibbert received, the Blazers have decided that the following offer is fair for both sides:
$5,900,000 @ 4 years
Brook Lopez has proven himself to be a very good scorer. He's averaged almost 20 ppg the last three years, while shooting good percentages from the floor and free throw line. He's only 24, so he should continue to get better, in theory. Lopez is also a very good shotblocker, as shown by his career block average of 1.6 per game.
Now, the negatives. Brook Lopez played just FIVE games last year, and he broke the same foot twice. Foot injuries, in the past, have been DEATH KNELLS for big men. Off the top of my head, I can only think of one center who has come back from chronic lower leg injuries and been productive (Zydrunas). Think of the big men that have had their careers ruined by lower leg/foot injuries: Walton, Bowie, Oden, etc. I can go on and on, but the point is this: Re-signing him is a HUGE risk given the foot problem.
You may be saying to yourself, "It was one season, and he doesn't have a history of sustaining these kinds of injuries." That is technically true. But then you look back at his previous season... and it leaves a lot to be desired. His scoring improved, but his percentages dropped. His rebounding dropped significantly. Even his assists took a hit. Something was happening there, and it wasn't good from a fantasy perspective.
Based on what other centers are making, and what Gortat and Hibbert received, the Blazers have decided that the following offer is fair for both sides:
$5,900,000 @ 4 years