15 - 10 is pretty decent. The important thing is defensive presence.

Posted by Allanfan20:

I don't really see Bogut or Duncan in Brooks Lopez. He's just a hard worker who's going to block shots, play defense, grab rebounds, feed off of his teammates and make a nice move every once in a blue moon. Pretty much what David Lee is, except with shotblocking and taller.

I agree that Lopez is no Duncan but I think he could be as good as, if not better than, Bogut. He is at least near that talent level. He has more offensive skills than Lee IMO. The rumors before the draft were that he could not cut it defensively, which is why he dropped to 10, but he has really picked up his rebounding and defensive effort. This guy should have been a top-5 pick, especially since he is a center. Imagine if we had drafted him. We would really be set for Lebron in 2010 because we would have our center of the future.

[Edited by - thegame on 14-01-2009 08:13]

I don't think he's ready for best player in the draft at this point, but certainly best center out of the draft and one of the best centers for years to come. He just had five blocks a few days ago vs. Boston and scored another 17 points against Portland. And today he had 28 points and 10 boards against Boston.

I was told that this guy would suck in the NBA by about a dozen people on this board, as we were getting ready for the draft. What a fatal mistake that was.

Posted by Ira:

Brook Lopez is a better player than I thought he'd be. His shot blocking and rebounding are already very good and his offense isn't bad for a young rookie.

Isn't bad? Man, you are a tough sell. Lopez has far exceeded expectations. A throw back center. He isn't better than Rose or Mayo but you could make a case that he is 3rd on that list and not Beasley. 2008 could rival 2003 class someday because of its depth.

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by Ira:

Brook Lopez is a better player than I thought he'd be. His shot blocking and rebounding are already very good and his offense isn't bad for a young rookie.

Isn't bad? Man, you are a tough sell. Lopez has far exceeded expectations. A throw back center. He isn't better than Rose or Mayo but you could make a case that he is 3rd on that list and not Beasley. 2008 could rival 2003 class someday because of its depth.

If that's true, we better have cap room in 2014! Get on it Walsh!!!

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by Ira:

Brook Lopez is a better player than I thought he'd be. His shot blocking and rebounding are already very good and his offense isn't bad for a young rookie.

Isn't bad? Man, you are a tough sell. Lopez has far exceeded expectations. A throw back center. He isn't better than Rose or Mayo but you could make a case that he is 3rd on that list and not Beasley. 2008 could rival 2003 class someday because of its depth.

Agree with you on that one.

Miami, Minny, and the Knicks would have benefitted from choosing Lopez.

His footwork is better than expected, and he has that Stanford brain. If he continues to improve, in 5 years you might consider him to be a better pick than Mayo due to the importance of his position.

Posted by TMS:

Posted by islesfan:

Posted by 4949:

I don't think he's ready for best player in the draft at this point, but certainly best center out of the draft and one of the best centers for years to come. He just had five blocks a few days ago vs. Boston and scored another 17 points against Portland. And today he had 28 points and 10 boards against Boston.

I was told that this guy would suck in the NBA by about a dozen people on this board, as we were getting ready for the draft. What a fatal mistake that was.

If Gallinari put up 28 and 10 against Boston 2 months from now, not only would he be talked about as the best player in the draft by most people on this board, but he'd be talked about as one of the best players ever.

That's not exaggeration based on some of the comments after 2 shaky games.

Brook Lopez is the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain.

there, happy now?

No, you had to include that Gallinari is "Il Bustino" and sucks for not playing and for playing.

You include that and Isles is in heaven.

Lest we forget-Thorn (who I believe is a great GM/President or whatever) wanted Galinari if we believe any of the stories which came out at draft time.

Posted by Paladin55:

Posted by TMS:

Brook Lopez =

Hands up on defense... obviously well coached.

he doesn't seem to have stiff legs either unlike Il Bustino.