Brook Lopez has always been a friendly giant. So there should be no surprise that he would be happy to work with a youth camp at Brooklyn College with kids ranging from seven to 17 years old. But in wake of the recent massacre, Lopez told Jared Zweling and ESPNNewYork that it held more meaning.
Moving away from the tragedy, Zweling's post also acknowledges Lopez and his increased polished game, offensively and defensively.
Lopez's first half successes play a huge part in the Brooklyn Nets accomplishments. An average of 7.4 points during the first quarter would lead one to think that Lopez would end up with number in the upper twenties. That, has not been the case.
Lopez's defense has shown strides of improvement. Although still not the best, or even close, he's done more defensively than most Nets not named Gerald Wallace have. It was evident in the Nets interior deficiencies while Brook Lopez was out with his injury. His ability to alter shots due to his length and this season's elite-level shot-blocking is one that not many can replace. At 2.5 blocks a game, almost twice his previous career-high, shows promise in Lopez's defensive ceiling in the upcoming years.
Deron Williams has excelled as a point guard throughout his career. However, a decline started to occur as soon as he arrived at New Jersey, and his struggles have continued into Brooklyn. Despite this, Williams is one of the better point guards and has the potential to reclaim a slipping Top 5 status in terms of point guards. In their short time together, Lopez and Deron Williams have played great together. An increasing chemistry should only further bolster that PG-C advantage the Nets have over most, if not all teams.
As for Brook Lopez's comments on the Nets and Knicks rivalry, does their really need to be any further explanation? Those games are intense, and a playoff series will only bring out the utter best of both teams and fans.
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Moving away from the tragedy, Zweling's post also acknowledges Lopez and his increased polished game, offensively and defensively.
His first-quarter scoring (he's fourth-best in the league with a 7.4 points average): "I think it's just a matter of really coming out to the game and being ready, being warmed up, and that's something I tried to emphasize today. I always try to tell these kids, 'Come out, really be on the ball, be ready to learn and come with energy.'"
His improved defense (he's averaging a career-high 2.5 blocks per game): "It's just been a matter for me of really getting better at positional defense -- not necessarily anything super athletic, but just realizing where I need to be in relation to where the ball's at."
His first real go-around playing with Deron Williams: "I think he just makes the team so much better. In every game, we really learn from each other, we keep getting used to each other and keep getting incrementally better. It's just impressive to see him play pick-and-rolls with different guys, and he reads so fast how certain guys play in the pick-and-roll -- what their strengths are and where he needs to give them the ball."
Knicks-Nets (once again on Wednesday night): "They definitely feel like playoff games for us. They're easy to get up for."The first half has always seemed to be Lopez's, and the general Nets offense's, best time of the game. Once the second half begins, and the isolation plays start to come out, the team as a whole collapses offensively. The momentum and rhythm dies, and generally that's when other teams start to climb back from a deficit.
Lopez's first half successes play a huge part in the Brooklyn Nets accomplishments. An average of 7.4 points during the first quarter would lead one to think that Lopez would end up with number in the upper twenties. That, has not been the case.
Lopez's defense has shown strides of improvement. Although still not the best, or even close, he's done more defensively than most Nets not named Gerald Wallace have. It was evident in the Nets interior deficiencies while Brook Lopez was out with his injury. His ability to alter shots due to his length and this season's elite-level shot-blocking is one that not many can replace. At 2.5 blocks a game, almost twice his previous career-high, shows promise in Lopez's defensive ceiling in the upcoming years.
Deron Williams has excelled as a point guard throughout his career. However, a decline started to occur as soon as he arrived at New Jersey, and his struggles have continued into Brooklyn. Despite this, Williams is one of the better point guards and has the potential to reclaim a slipping Top 5 status in terms of point guards. In their short time together, Lopez and Deron Williams have played great together. An increasing chemistry should only further bolster that PG-C advantage the Nets have over most, if not all teams.
As for Brook Lopez's comments on the Nets and Knicks rivalry, does their really need to be any further explanation? Those games are intense, and a playoff series will only bring out the utter best of both teams and fans.
Follow @NetsTakeOver
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