Brook Lopez's reinvention is one of the most improbable NBA arcs

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Typically, all those lumbering big men during the 2000s ended up being phased out of the league because they couldn't recalibrate their games, but here Brook is in his mid-30s, and has turned himself into one of the best floor-spacing AND defensive big men.

Over his first eight seasons (500 games), he only attempted 31 threes in total (0.1 per game)
Enter his 9th season, where he attempted 400 (5.2 per game) and hit them at 34%.

His 3-pt activity went from being non-existent to having the highest-volume out of all centers, within a season.

Ever since then he's maintained the same volume and hitting them at a similar rate to the majority of bigs whose formative years came during the 3-pt boom. He's even become a more impactful player on the other end, despite his ever-dwindling mobility - leading the league in blocks and contested shots, and currently in pole position for DPOY.

For a 7fter (with a traditional skillset) to not only last through the most rapid and contrasting transitions of the game, but to be an integral piece on a contender, all in his 15th season, is virtually unheard of.

 

[The War Report]

He would of been out the league by now if he didn't switch his game up.

 

[Derek Lee]

Nets hiring Atkinson changed the entire trajectory of his career.

 

[FaTaL]

adjust or get left behind

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

Typically, all those lumbering big men during the 2000s ended up being phased out of the league because they couldn't recalibrate their games, but here Brook is in his mid-30s, and has turned himself into one of the best floor-spacing AND defensive big men.

Over his first eight seasons (500 games), he only attempted 31 threes in total (0.1 per game)
Enter his 9th season, where he attempted 400 (5.2 per game) and hit them at 34%.

His 3-pt activity went from being non-existent to having the highest-volume out of all centers, within a season.

Ever since then he's maintained the same volume and hitting them at a similar rate to the majority of bigs whose formative years came during the 3-pt boom. He's even become a more impactful player on the other end, despite his ever-dwindling mobility - leading the league in blocks and contested shots, and currently in pole position for DPOY.

For a 7fter (with a traditional skillset) to not only last through the most rapid and contrasting transitions of the game, but to be an integral piece on a contender, all in his 15th season, is virtually unheard of.

yo i was just thinking about this the other night

he was soft in new jersey and had limited range

now hes hitting step backs and is a low post anchor on defense. pretty insane...i also sometimes wonder why robin hasnt really done the same thing close to the same degree as brook..brook was always considered better but their games were similar..now its not even close

 

[MikelArteta]

yup think of all thsoe other big men his age out of the nba or overseas because they are useless 5 feet from the rim

 

[G-Zeus]

Its a lotta big that could shoot the 3..i mean.. javale can...if he got the green light might have been a primed big...

With LA Lopez he was given the green light...career saving move.

 

[Bonk]

He would of been out the league by now if he didn't switch his game up.

This, coupled with playing with Giannis which has enabled him hide his other flaws.

Giannis doesn’t get enough credit for how he makes flawed players look better than they’re. And all these players are always out of the league after leaving Bucks by 2yrs max. Bledsoe, DiVicenzo (should be out of the league in 2yrs), Hill & Matthews were unplayable when they left Bucks, etc.

 

[Morethan1]

yup think of all thsoe other big men his age out of the nba or overseas because they are useless 5 feet from the rim

I was watching the game today and thinking could've Roy Hibbert made the changes Brook did to prolong his career

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

This, coupled with playing with Giannis which has enabled him hide his other flaws.

Giannis doesn’t get enough credit for how he makes flawed players look better than they’re. And all these players are always out of the league after leaving Bucks by 2yrs max. Bledsoe, DiVicenzo (should be out of the league in 2yrs), Hill & Matthews were unplayable when they left Bucks, etc.

 

[Arris]

yo i was just thinking about this the other night

he was soft in new jersey and had limited range

now hes hitting step backs and is a low post anchor on defense. pretty insane...i also sometimes wonder why robin hasnt really done the same thing close to the same degree as brook..brook was always considered better but their games were similar..now its not even close

robin's legs are cooked, he can't move well anymore. never mind the perimeter he can get blown by, by younger bigs within 15-20 ft now.

he's still getting 5-10 minutes but he recently got overtaken by a 2 way contract player with the cavs for spot starts.

 

[feelosofer]

Eh as a Nets fan he always had that skill set but the way the Nets were constructed he played his role accordingly the other thing was he lost a good amount of his prime with his foot injuries. The thing was Brook injured or not was often the best player on Nets those years but he didn't get his due because the teams ranged from mediocre to awful.

 

[Bonk]

Is that for Jokic & his super team losing to the Hawks who were missing Trae Young & 2 other starters?

 

[Admiral Ackbar]

Goes to show what you can do when you putin work at the gym. Shooting and defense can be coached and learned.

cc: Ben Simmons, Bogdanovic

 

[ZEupTWN]

Not that surprising tbh…Brook was always a solid starter who put up good number… He always had the skill and touch on top of having a high bball iq to be the player he’s become…It was a matter of being in the right situation…