When Lopez and the Blazers got together, though? If it wasnt love at first sight at least there was a fair bit of, Yowza! followed by a semi-intrigued, Hmmm... Lopez produced a career year in offensive and total rebounds, both critical parts of Portlands scheme. His field goal percentage exceeded 55. His free-throw percentage hovered around 82. Lopez quickly became a dangerous man. Lopez also set the tone on defense, patrolling the lane in an attempt to cover for teammates, ripping down boards from the grasp of opponents when the Blazers were only used to getting uncontested balls, and playing with a contrapuntal intensity alongside his more staid teammates. As the season unfolded it became apparent that every time Lopez left the floor, Portlands interior defense went kablooey. Once questioning how hed fit, the Blazers couldnt live without him. Nowhere was this more apparent than the series against the Rockets. Despite getting manhandled by the physically-dominant Dwight Howard, Lopez fought back with vigor, absorbing every blow and refusing to yield. The more-vocal Wesley Matthews often gets credit for motivating the team to feats beyond their usual capacity, but Matthews stands on the shoulders of Lopez. If Robin wasnt watching the middle, Matthews words would get drown in a sea of opposing layups. Staring down Howard, providing the safety valve against the penetration of James Harden, and living to tell the tale was more than the Blazers could have expected of their new recruit at center.
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 08:21:45 +0000
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