Over the next couple of weeks, SeaTown Sports will take a look at several possible Sonics draft candidates. We will take a look at who the Sonics can take with the No. 4 pick and No. 24 picks in the first round. Our first player is Brook Lopez.
The Run Down
- 2007-08 Season Averages: 19.3 ppg, 1.4 apg, 8.2 rpg, 2.1 bpg
- Height: 7-0, Weight 260lbs., Position F/C, Class: Sophomore
- 20 Years Old
- Best Case Comparisons: Hybrid of Chris Kaman and PJ Brown, Brad Daugherty
- Worst Case Comparison: Brendan Haywood
Strengths:
- Size
- Length
- Frame
- Hands
- Coordination
Weaknesses:
- Average athlete
- Predictable offensive game
- Left Hand
- Average Rebounder
- Passing out of the Double Team
My Take: Brook Lopez is projected by many to be snapped up by the Timberwolves, who have the No. 3 pick. Experts cite the Timberwolves’ current need for a center to complement Al Jefferson. However, if the Timberwolves for some reason pass on Brook, the Sonics will be faced with a serious dilemma.
Would it be worth drafting another center? Although the Sonics front office would face criticism from a lot of fans, I don’t think Brook Lopez will turn out to be a bust. The best thing about Brook Lopez is the fact that he’s NBA-ready. Although he has a few kinks in his game, he already has had significant experience at the college level. So unlike Swift, Petro, or Sene—with actual college experience, Brook is ready to step in the NBA game, no questions asked.
Another thing that separates him from the three current Sonic centers is his basketball IQ. Besides the fact that he went to Stanford, he is an extremely smart basketball player. While watching him play this year, I rarely saw a turnover. That’s priceless.
Brook has already worked out with Seattle and Minnesota, and has already cited Seattle as a possible situation. In an article from Mercury News, when asked about Seattle, Brook replied, “I wouldn't mind that at all. It's great."
A distinct possibility: both Brook and Robin Lopez become Sonics. I doubt this will happen, but the Sonics do indeed have two first-round picks within the range of both the twins. However, if it were to happen, then the Sonics would have five different centers, which would be overkill.
Conclusion: Brook Lopez has aspired to model his game after Tim Duncan. He’s nowhere near to Tim Duncan, but he definitely has the potential to be. If he slips pass the Timberwolves, the Sonics couldn’t go wrong by drafting him.
Sources: Draftexpress.com, nbadraft.net
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4 months ago
Brook Lopez is much more athletic than any of the three best comparison players you mentioned.
His upside might make him comparable to Tim Duncan down the road. I think that he might remind some of Marcus Camby right away.
Along with his lack of turnovers, Lopez plays hard on every possession. That hustle will go a long way to helping him try to keep pace against the faster players in the NBA. He didn't have to run all that much in the Pac-10.
Nice article!
4 months ago
seattle has to get a pg or a combo.period. no matter what they need to trade down to 8-10 picks and pick up russell westbrook and a first rond pick next year. next year will have some outstanding players like rubio and demar derozan and 2 awesome pg in jrue holliday and the one kid thats goin to arizona. we need to wait and see how our other centers play out
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