After his back problems returned last season, many thought the Brook Lopez we once knew was over. However, at more than 34 years old, the pivot signs this year one of the most beautiful returns possible and contributes greatly to the success of the Bucks. So why not imagine the giant participating… in the All-Star Game 2023?
Aaron Rogers and the other owners of the Bucks must be jubilant at the moment, just like Jon Horst, a GM who is not ready to lose his place. The Bucks are back on top in the Eastern Conference, even displaying the best record in the League at the time of writing these lines (22-8). And if we think first of Giannis Antetokounmpo when we talk regarding the reasons for this success, Brook Lopez is not far in the list, even just behind the Greek Freak for some. That’s what Zach Lowe seems to think anyway. The ESPN journalist even mentions the possibility of an All-Star selection for the interior.
Zach Lowe: “[Brook Lopez] has a real All-Star case. He belongs in the All-Star conversation.” pic.twitter.com/LEF8dz4Jy5
— hoops bot (@hoops_bot) December 20, 2022
“And Brook Lopez? He is among the favorites for the DPOY, everyone knows that. What is less talked regarding, however, is the fact that he is having his best scoring and rebounding season since leaving the Nets. [en 2017, ndlr] what feels like a million years ago… He shoots 40% from long range, 59% from two points, creates spaces for Giannis, crushes smaller vis-à-vis in post […] Considering the games Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have missed and the Bucks having the best record in the League, he clearly has a place in the All-Stars discussion…”
And frankly, you can’t blame Zach Lowe for his findings. The Bucks’ seven-footer, aptly nicknamed Splash Mountain, doesn’t just give a headache to any opposing forwards who dare venture too far into Milwaukee’s racket (2.7 blocks per game, league leader). A real offensive threat, he quickly becomes a real headache for the coaches opposite, due to his ability to push down certain defenders but also to punish opponents who are not sufficiently mobile from a distance.
Brook Lopez #NBAAllStar2023pic.twitter.com/9JhFkxVWdP
— Bango Burner ???? (@They’re Burner_) December 21, 2022
Still, not sure all of those arguments are enough to give “Bropez” a second All-Star Game selection, ten years following the first in 2013 under the colors of the Nets (of which he is still today the historic leader in points scored). Because if the Bucks deserve to send two of their guys to Salt Lake City on February 19, the competition will be very tough in the East, particularly on the frontcourt, and the 14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks of average of the pivot of Wisconsin might not weigh very heavy vis-a-vis the cadors of the League. According to the current operation, we know that the number of frontcourt players (positions 3-4-5) from the East will be between six and eight.
Between his buddy Giannis, and the other “lock” players like Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid, there is already not much room left to slip in. And when you add to that a Julius Randle back to his best level with the Knicks Top 6 in the east, a huge Pascal Siakam despite the difficulties of the Raptors and a Jimmy Butler achieving one of his best career seasons from the point from a statistical point of view, Bropez’s candidacy quickly becomes a more than perilous mission. Will he be able to prove us wrong?
So this All-Star Game, will it, won’t it? It’s not easy to answer two months in advance, but we can imagine that in case of disillusionment, a Defender of the Year award at the end of the season will quickly be able to console friend Brook Lopez…
Source texte : ESPN / Zach Lowe
