June 29, 2009

Lopez: Front and Center

Leave it to Brook Lopez to find the positive spin on his best friend being traded to Orlando:

“We talked about it a bit and I told Ryan I was jealous of him being down by Disney – now he can go whenever he wants.”

The Nets’ jolly giant worked out at the team’s practice facility with Yi Jianlian and Sean Williams on Monday in East Rutherford, stopping through while in town for his week-long camp in Whippany, N.J. Lopez said that both teammates are looking good, and that Yi is playing stronger, surprising him with some nifty moves in the post.

But the big news was Lopez’s new role as official offensive centerpiece after the draft-day trade that sent Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to the Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie. Lopez acknowledged that those were two people greatly responsible for easing his transition to the NBA last season, though he made sure to mention Devin Harris, Keyon Dooling and Chris Douglas-Roberts were also major players. And yet Lopez is encouraged for all parties involved.

“It’s a good fit for both Vince and Ryan,” Lopez said. “Obviously, Orlando likes to have shooters around Dwight. Vince will be seeing a lot more one-on-one and less doubling with the roster they’ve got now. But we picked up a lot of talent in Rafer and Courtney, two real good guards. Rafer helps Devin, and Courtney can come in for Ryan and start. It depends on where CDR’s at – I heard he’s been in the gym every day – but it’ll be between them, and they’re going to play big minutes.”

Lopez knows that this means the double teams once focused on containing Carter are likely to be ahem … centered on him. But he trusts in his teammates’ skills, and their ability to knock down open shots. Lopez also knows better than to defer an opportunity of this magnitude, and is ready to step up and assume more of a leadership role in only his second season.

That means coming to camp prepared, and Lopez has been working out with his brothers Robin, Chris and Alex in Fresno, Calif. and Phoenix, which has involved a lot of one-on-one, shooting, post moves and defense, because all four Lopez siblings can defend one another.  That’s been supplemented with sessions at Athletes’ Performance in Tempe, Ariz., where the focus is on lateral movement, explosiveness and core work. Lopez has also been watching tape throughout the summer.

For all his individual preparedness, Lopez knows that being on a team that just traded a superstar means outside expectations have taken a nosedive. But don’t think the idea daunts him.

“(We’re) right back at that 15 spot (in the East), apparently,” Lopez said. “Regardless of what happened last season, they put us right back there. We’ll have to do the same thing as last time, but this time make the playoffs.”

On how he found out about the trade:
“I got a text from someone here. It said, ‘Aw, I’m sorry Brook.’ With a sad face. And we thought Robin might have gotten traded or something like that – we had heard Oklahoma City was real interested in him. I was like, ‘What happened to Robin?’ and they said, ‘No, Ryan.’ They didn’t even mention Vince. I called them immediately, and joked, “Vince, whatever.”

On Nets draft pick Terrence Williams:
“I played him in the NCAA Tournament my freshman year when he was at Louisville. (Louisville won, 78-58.--BC) We’ve been to a few camps together. I’ve seen his game before, and it’s going to be real nice to get to know him.”

On being invited to the USA Basketball National Team mini-camp:
“I’m excited for that. It’s going to be a great experience. The best young players – and some of the already top players in the league – will be there. It’ll be a great way for me to see where I’m at.”

On visiting China for the Adidas Nations camp:
“I was telling Yi I wanted to go back and experience more outside of the basketball court. A lot of it was just commuting back and forth to the basketball camp. But I was telling him we’ve got to go back – all three of us. Hang out, see the real Beijing.”

Though he's not on the official roster, Lopez is set to join Chris Douglas-Roberts and Terrence Williams this weekend in Orlando, where a combined Nets-Sixers squad will compete at the Orlando Pro Summer League. Second-year forward Marreese Speights and No. 17 pick Jrue Holiday will represent Philly. They'll be joined by:

• AJ Abrams (G, Texas*)
• Jeff Adrien (F, Connecticut)
• Blake Ahearn (G, Dakota Wizards)
• Dionte Christmas (G, Temple)
• Jason Ellis (F, Idaho Stampede)
• Gary Forbes (F, Tulsa 66ers)
• Chris Johnson (C, LSU)
• Rob Kurz (F, Golden State Warriors)

*College or last professional team