DaBruins

I thought Robin was better, but I may have to change my mind now. Brook just posted up a triple double against USC. 18 points, 11 rebounds, 12 blocks. WOW.

RebelSun

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270250024

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cpawfan

I wanted to give Brook his own thread. I figure a triple double is enough to warrant that.

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Like A Breath

This guy is the real deal on offense. 20, 26, 23, and 23 points the last four games. He looks like a poor man's Tim Duncan out there, he has the fundamentals and footwork to go with a strong jumper with 20 foot range. The more I see him play, the more I like him as an NBA player. I think he's a top 10 pick whenever he comes out.

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Quasi-Quasar

While I do like a Hawes-Duncan comparison, I don't think Brook Lopez is so similar to Duncan. He's a bit bigger, nowhere near as quick, and is more comfortable in the post (Duncan's bread and butter has always been face-up from the high-post). Brook seems to have mastered a baseline baby hook that is unblockable by his man (he leaves himself open on the weak side though). His footwork is an issue IMO (he travels when double-teamed quite often; don't let the non-calls fool you, he does), and he occasionally gets the idea that he can take jumpshots without letting the offense settle (coaching issue). As far as shotblocking, his timing is superb, although in the NBA, where he won't get the benefit of non-call (on obvious fouls), he'll foul at a high rate (he tends to reach across guys too often and move his body into them, rather than allowing contact into him, like Okafor or Ben Wallace). If he had Hawes' footwork, quickness and passing skills, I'd take him top 3 without looking back, but at the moment he has holes in his game. Ben Howland saw his footwork and took it right at him; Mata scored 8 on him in the first-half before having vision problems after getting scratched/whacked (and goaltending on a goofy play where he swung both arms to block the shot while seeing two balls).

As far as a comparison to a current player, his repertoire and love for the baseline makes him offensively similar to a smaller Yao Ming (his foot-speed also fits that comparison so some extent)... He's also somewhat similar to Chris Kaman, but Kaman is a better athlete (with more shakes and moves in the post), while Lopez has his head in the game, a stronger body, and makes definitive moves (something Kaman sucks at).

It's too bad Robin isn't the good one. He's slightly bigger and more athletic. Brook has a bright NBA future, but Robin could still develop (if Brook leaves this year, he'll be thrown in with the wolves though).

Brook is a top 10 pick right now, as is Hawes IMO. It's a team style issue with either though. Hawes would be excellent as a PF like Duncan, with a center to offer some protection. Lopez on the other hand, is pretty much pigeonholed at center due to foot-speed and quickness. If Philly is picking at 5 (or even 4), Hawes with Dalembert would be an excellent combo. Despite Ryan Hollins development, I think Lopez could fit in nicely with Charlotte. Sacramento is in need at virtually every position not called Artest (he even wants Bibby gone!)... Neither fits well with Phoenix, but it's not inconceivable that Phoenix could take a true center in preparation for post-Nash years. The Clippers might take either, although a SF is definitely #1 on their agenda. And I don't think GS or Seattle can take another lottery center, they hit their consecutive limits .

Bottom line, I think Brook is gone, and will end up in the lotto somewhere.

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HB

ESPN has him going anywhere between 7 and 14 right now on their lottery simulator

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rainman

Says he's returning to Stanford for his sophomore season, adjust your mocks accordingly.

HKF

As he should be returning. He and his brother looked rather mediocre and soft against Louisville.

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zagsfan20

Pitino had his team pushing the ball the entire game making the Lopez's ineffective. They aren't soft at all. Pitino played a style during that game that was a total disadvantage to Stanford's best players.

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o.iatlhawksfan

I thought he could be a legit top 10 pick, but now that he's return, he one of the early favorite for the top spot in '08.

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