What if I told you Olshey acquired a guy who plays defensively like Dwight Howard but he makes 13 million dollars less per year? Lopez: http://www.82games.com/1314/13POR15.HTM Howard: http://www.82games.com/1314/13HOU15.HTM On the year, their opponents numbers are essentially equal. Dwight gives up slightly more in eFG%, while Robin has a slightly higher iFG%, the difference is marginal. Dwight has a small edge in rebounding, Robin has a .1 better DRTG, Lopez gives up a lower PER, allows less assists, gets blocked less not to mention he can make his free throws! This is why NBA GM's are calling him the steal of the offseason. Olshey should be GM of the year. What a smooth criminal
Funny thing is Lopez allows a higher EFG% than he shoots Howard does not. Gives up more FTA than he takes Howard does not. Gives up more rebounds than he gets Howard does not. Gives up more assists Howard does not. Gives up more points and PER Howard does not. Basically with the exception of the turnover battle which Lopez wins and Howard does not Lopez loses most major categories to his opponent each night. Howard C FGA eFG% FTA iFG Reb Ast T/O Blk PF Pts PER* -.1 .006 9.5 24% 4.2 .0 -2.1 .2 2.1 5.2 3.2 Lopez -7.0 -.003 -.2 23% -.1 -.5 .9 .4 .9 -7.2 -1.4 As you can see Howard wins almost all his match ups except T/O and FGA. Lopez wins T/O IFG% BLK and fouls but loses everywhere else. While Lopez has been a great addition Dwight Howard he is not. Also that slight rebounding edge is over 5 per 48 minutes not exactly slight. Still Lopez was a nice steal for the price we paid.
Hes not remotely close to Dwight. For all he does well he can't defend the pick and roll like DH or protect the rim like Dwight, but very, very few centers can. Plus Dwight is an incredible rebounder. But Robin is possibly the best value of any center in the league. Hes playing as good or better than guys like Bogut, Sanders, Nene, Favors, Splitter, etc. yet hes paid less than half of what those guys get.
As he came in to the RG It was the sound of A crescendo He came into the arena He left bloodstains On the hard wood She ran under neither the basket He could see she Was a Rocket So she ran along the baseline She was stuck down Sent to the pine Howard are you ok? Are you ok? Are you ok Howard? (x4) Howard are you ok? Will you tell us that you’re ok? There’s a sign at the RG That he stuck you A crescendo Howard! He came into the arena He left bloodstains On the hard wood Then you ran along the baseline You were stuck down I was your doom! Howard are you ok? Are you ok? Are you ok Howard? (x3) You’ve been hit by You’ve been stuck by A Smooth Criminal!
Good call. Howard is putting up 18/13 numbers in 33 minutes/game and is DPOY type defender. Lopez is putting up 9/8 in 30 minutes. Howard is in the running for MVP, though LeBron probably wins again. Lopez, no way. But still, he's a bargain and fits this team well.
"Howard IS in the running for MVP, though LeBron probably wins again." - Denny Crane I didn't make any calls. I spoofed a song. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. 2011-2012... 2 years ago. IS that the present?
He played hurt last year on a team he wanted no part of. He looks healthy this year. Do you expect Lopez to get a vote?
Robin has been great! However, I think it should be pointed out that Dwight doesn't have nearly the impact he had pre-injury. The nerve damage in his back was "severe enough" that doctors had retirement on the table.
Lopez smokes Howard at the free throw line. I'd have added that to the comparison. Lopez makes his teammates better, alters shots, doesn't demand trades or argue with teammates while LaMarcus picks up the ball and lays it in, Lopez doesn't get coaches fired or alienate teammates...I could go on but I'm happy with Lopez and not a Howard fan by any stretch. Lopez is the 5th option on the team, Howard is the 1st-2nd option.
Lopez shoots 2 FTs a game. Who gives a shit? I don't like Howard either but I'd kill to get him on the Warriors.