Robin Lopez = Joel Przybilla

[Fez Hammersticks]

Their first year in Portland, by the numbers:

Joel Przybilla
Age: 25
PPG: 6.4
RPG: 7.7
BPG: 2.1
PER: 15.2
DRtg: 103

Robin Lopez
Age: 25
PPG: 10.5
RPG: 8.2
BPG: 1.5
PER: 16.8
DRtg: 108

Did anyone really expect Lopez to emerge as the Center-of-the-present/COTF last summer? He really looks like a Przybilla type of steal and I think he has earned himself a similar deal to what Joel got.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

He's really great for the team; not quite as good on defense, but a more credible offensive option. Awesome on the pick-and-roll, and the right combination of goofy and tough for the team and fans.

I'd give him a good deal.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

I expected him to fit in well, but he has exceeded my expectations. The team rebounding is much better than what I expected it would be with everyone at a career high. Robin is better on offense, and Pryz better on defense, but their impact does seem similar.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

He is a lot better than Joel. I loved watching him play but his offensive limitations made the four other guys step up. With Lopez, we have five guys that can score in multiple ways.

 

[Paxil]

Agree with Charcoal Filtered... I loved Joel, but he was more one dimensional than Lopez. You can't leave Lopez wide open because he can hit anything out to 15 feet.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Their first year in Portland, by the numbers:

Joel Przybilla
Age: 25
PPG: 6.4
RPG: 7.7
BPG: 2.1
PER: 15.2
DRtg: 103

Robin Lopez
Age: 25
PPG: 10.5
RPG: 8.2
BPG: 1.5
PER: 16.8
DRtg: 108

Did anyone really expect Lopez to emerge as the Center-of-the-present/COTF last summer? He really looks like a Przybilla type of steal and I think he has earned himself a similar deal to what Joel got.

It's like they're twins!

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I keep forgetting Robin is only 25, not quite entering his prime yet. I love his game and want him to be a Blazer for a long time.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I really liked Joel, but RoLo is another tier above The Thrilla.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

As Joel's first and most loyal fan I'd still give the edge to Lopez as far as talent. I loved the thyrllas heart though.

 

[santeesioux]

I keep forgetting Robin is only 25, not quite entering his prime yet. I love his game and want him to be a Blazer for a long time.

I wonder how much he'll get paid when his contract is up? Competent centers are in short supply, and if he keeps up the way he's been playing, you've gotta think he'll get quite a raise.

 

[Natebishop3]

Joel was a better defender, but Robin is vastly superior on offense. It's not even close. Prz wasn't a good free throw shooter, he wasn't good at catching a pass on a pick and roll, and he had no manner of jump shot to speak of. Robin is actually pretty good as a scorer. He's not LA, of course, but you can go to him in the post if you feel there's a mismatch there. He has that nice little hook that seems to always go in and he's actually really good at running the pick and roll with Nic. Plus, the fact that he can consistently make his free throws, especially in the clutch, makes him extremely valuable as a center. There are a lot of big men who you can't even have on the floor in a clutch situation because you can't count on them to make a free throw.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

I expected him to fit in well, but he has exceeded my expectations. The team rebounding is much better than what I expected it would be with everyone at a career high. Robin is better on offense, and Pryz better on defense, but their impact does seem similar.

This.

 

[blazedanugz]

pryz was better defensively... dont think theres any doubt about that. plus he squared off with tyson chandler. 1000000x more tough

 

[riverman]

I think Robin is a much better free throw shooter than Joel was. Robin is turning into a double double machine here, Joel was just a master at protecting the rim and setting screens.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think Robin is a much better free throw shooter than Joel was. Robin is turning into a double double machine here, Joel was just a master at protecting the rim and setting screens.

I wouldn't say "just" because both of those are really awesome skills to have.

 

[ebott]

Robin Lopez is the best center we've had since Sabonis. He's a keeper for sure. The thing that's really awesome is how he seems to keep getting better. At the beginning he seemed a little stiff. Not to say he was "a stiff" cause he was still effective. It just amazing how much more fluid he looks then he did earlier in the year.

 

[jlprk]

You missed the similarity of a Z in each name.

Przybilla tried to start a fight, every game, so he was better. To compare them, it helps if you do what I do. Always imagine Przybilla with long hair.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I'm positive Joel's father isn't Cuban. That definitely explains the lack of offense from Pryz.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm positive Joel's father isn't Cuban. That definitely explains the lack of offense from Pryz.

Are you saying Cubans know how to score?

 

[blue32]

At this point, with our defense in the shitter, I'd like to have a C with more defensive skills. RoLo however can only get better. Thrilla would be awesome to have as a backup.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

At this point, with our defense in the shitter, I'd like to have a C with more defensive skills. RoLo however can only get better. Thrilla would be awesome to have as a backup.

Freeland is improving every game. Goes straight up with the best of them and is starting to time some blocks, plus he has a nice shot.

 

[MickZagger]

The best thing about Lopez is that he's just 25 and you can tell he enjoys playing here.

I loved Joel. But, his status as fan favorite made us think he was better than he was. Plus, he didn't take shit from anybody and always had his teammates backs, so he was kinda like a cult hero.

 

[blazerboy30]

At this point, with our defense in the shitter, I'd like to have a C with more defensive skills. RoLo however can only get better. Thrilla would be awesome to have as a backup.

I think you need to be careful with this mindset because if you take away the offensive skills we have at C for more defensive skill, that will affect the entire team offense. Lopez can keep teams from doubling LMA and can run the high post entry for LMA. A lot of our offense would stall if you took that away in favor of more defense.

If you're saying you'd prefer the same level of offense with more defense, well then, I agree.

 

[blue32]

I think you need to be careful with this mindset because if you take away the offensive skills we have at C for more defensive skill, that will affect the entire team offense. Lopez can keep teams from doubling LMA and can run the high post entry for LMA. A lot of our offense would stall if you took that away in favor of more defense.

If you're saying you'd prefer the same level of offense with more defense, well then, I agree.

Yeah I see what you're saying. I guess I want my cake and to eat it too

 

[BlazerWookee]

I'd give my left nut to watch an in-his-prime Joel bang with now-Robin over the course of a season of practices...

 

[blue9]

I think you need to be careful with this mindset because if you take away the offensive skills we have at C for more defensive skill, that will affect the entire team offense. Lopez can keep teams from doubling LMA and can run the high post entry for LMA. A lot of our offense would stall if you took that away in favor of more defense.

If you're saying you'd prefer the same level of offense with more defense, well then, I agree.

So what you're saying is...Joakim Noah?
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=kfmm9ws

 

[Draco]

This must be a sarcastic joke?

Robin is nothing like Pryzbilla, only similarity is they are both 7' and white.

 

[Stevenson]

Another difference between the two: Joel had maxed-out his potential by the time he signed here. He was even for a few years, and then went downhill fast. RoLo is clearly still on the way up, and his upside is higher than any of us imagined, I imagine.