Brook Lopez Beginning to Look Like the Brook of Old

It may only be preseason, but Brook Lopez has been extremely aggressive going after rebounds so far. After a weak season on the boards in 2010-2011, he's beginning to get back to the form he was in during his first two seasons in the league. He averaged only 5.9 rebounds that season playing in all 82 games.

It looks as if he's going to have a very good overall year judging by his first 2 and a half games this preseason. In his first 2 games he totaled 37 points and 20 rebounds including a double double game in which he had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The difference between the Brook of 2010-2011 and the Brook of 2012 is that he is playing with a chip on his shoulder. After being the subject of trade talks for the entire 2011-12 season, he has something to prove to everyone. Now that he is 100% healthy he is fully expected to have a breakout season. He is due for a great season being that most center's break through year comes in their fourth full season in the league. Yes, Brook is going into his fifth year, but being that he missed all but 5 games last season, we can consider this his fourth year. Guys like Yao Ming, Dwight Howard and Patrick Ewing all broke through in their fourth season. Brook Lopez could end up doing the same.

You can easily see the difference in Lopez's game. He is playing angry. Which is allowing him to be aggressive while going after rebounds. He doesn't look as if his foot injury from last season is holding himself back from doing what he did his first two seasons. Look for Brook to make an all-star push this season.

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