Brook Lopez Discusion

He's our first real scoring threat since Kobe in 2012-2013. When things get tough he's a guy we can lean on to get a basket. We haven't had a real one of those in a long time.

 

Looks good, stay in shape and god willing stay healthy, please.

Been relatively healthy last 2 years.

 

Actually three years. The 2014-2015 year was his comeback year where he only started 44 games, but played in 72 of them. He's averaged a little over 73 games a year the last three years and hovers just under 31 minutes per game. Solid production.

 

He looks excited, good to see.

 

http://www.nba.com/lakers/livestream

 

Pelinka up first: This day is not about players that left or cap space created, but about a phenomenal player. Pelinka calls Brook one of the core parts of what they're trying to build. Pelinka says Brook is uniformly respected and has transformed himself as a player.

 

Pelinka- "He's the 3rd player in NBA history to have 100+ threes and 100+ blocks"

Pelinka is just utterly gushing about this guy. Calls him a key leader for all the young guys on the team. Really speaking highly of Brook's character.

 

Lopez really seems ecstatic about this. Points out that Robin's middle name is Byron after Byron Scott. They're a Laker family. He's already cracked 2-3 jokes and he seems like a really fun guy.

 

Lopez brings up the sort of names he's worked with and is ready to embrace a teaching role although he really wants to help on the court as well. Said he's focused on doing whatever it takes to help the team win (mentions rim protecting, running Luke's offense).

On floor spacing: Says it's something he felt he could always do, but worked hard to add it. Credits Brooklyn for helping him.

 

Pelinka points out that Brook is going to be a tremendous mentor for both Zubac and Thomas. Pelinka points out that Brook helps open the floor for Randle, Nance, and Ingram to get to the rim.

Brook says being a mentor is a little strange to him because he still feels young at 29, mentions the older guys from Boston he played with. But he feels like he's in a perfect position to teach them all the things he picked up from the older guys.

Trudell asks him about health: Brook says he refocused his training regimen and has a better understanding of playing loads. Says it's about taking care of his body (massages, lifting, stretching, etc.)

Pelinka says they're working hard on improving the fitness end. Mentioned Gunnar again. Pelinka says it's important for the young guys to witness Brook's preparation.

Asked if Larry was snubbed in the dunk contest, he said "I knew it was coming. I do feel like he was! I had a better shot of it than anyone!"

 

On trade rumors/actual trade: Says he was surprised, but at the same time it felt sort of like draft night all over again. A whirlwind. He was excited to come home and play for a team he grew up rooting for and get this franchise back to success. Wants to be a guy Luke can rely on.

Said he's learned not to focus on rumor mill and that if anything real is happening, his agent will let him know. They touch on dollars for Brook and how much he gets paid. Pelinka says he's earning every penny and that Brook has already been in the gym working with the kids. Pelinka continues saying he can be a guy who can stick around.

Brook on Zubac: I was impressed honestly. He's got great touch, good feel around the rim. Brook says the sky is the limit for him, impressed with his work ethic.

Trudell on switching on to wings: Brook admits that he's not the quickest guy, but he is working on it as hard as he can. Brook says we can be a great team defensively and we've got the athletes to do it. Says it's just about coming together.

Tania on making adjustments on offense and if he saw it coming or was encouraged to do it: Says he did it in the off-season all the time, but Kenny Atkinson encouraged him to let them fly.

and my feed just died.

 

Great Interview!