Nets Rumors: Will Brook Lopez Have His Minutes Limited
Brooklyn Nets Rumors: Could we see less Brook Lopez this season as the Nets taking a long-term outlook to the season?
Brooklyn Nets rumors have been popping up early in the 2016-17 season, and they all revolve around center Brook Lopez. The first rumor was about the Nets chances of trading their best player this season. Now, there is a rumor about how much playing time that Lopez will receive throughout the season.
Lopez is entering his ninth season in the NBA. He is one of the most gifted offensive centers in the league, but whenever many people hear his name, the first thing they think about is his injuries. Lopez has battled a number of injuries to his right foot. He missed all but five games during the 2011-12 season and all but 17 in 2013-14.
Outside of those two seasons, Lopez has played at least 72 games every other season of his NBA career. He didn’t miss a game the first three seasons but has since gotten the injury prone label. He was healthy last season, playing 33.7 minutes per game, scoring 20.6 points with 7.8 rebounds, two assists, and 1.7 blocks per game.
Those are numbers the Nets are hoping Lopez can provide for many seasons to come. If they are going to succeed with that plan, Lopez may see his minutes cut back at times this season. The Nets aren’t projected to win many games, so the Nets may get Lopez rest at points in time.
"“What we’re trying to do with Brook is take the long-term approach, just build him up as the season goes on and increase his minutes. We have a plan in place,” Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson said to the New York Post. “It’s learning the system, it’s looking at a long-term approach to how we’re going to build him up in terms of minutes as the season goes on. He’s got some miles on him.”"
Lopez has been a staple in the Nets starting lineup since being selected 10th overall in 2008 out of Stanford. Including the postseason, Lopez has played in 503 games, averaging 32.7 minutes per game; so Atkinson is right when he says that he has some miles on him.
Getting him rest looks to be a plan they will stick to and execute. He has already received one rest day this season, as he didn’t suit up in the third game of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks. Even when he has been on the court, his minutes have been cut drastically.
His high for minutes played is only 29, coming against the Detroit Pistons in a game that Jeremy Lin got hurt. With Lin sidelined, the offensive load fell onto Lopez’s shoulders and he responded with a monster 34 point, 11 rebound performance. Even with that 29-minute game, Lopez is averaging only 24.5 minutes per game.
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It is a change that Nets fans will have to get used to. Atkinson is committed to keeping Lopez’s minutes down to keep him fresher for the long run. The Nets are in the beginning stages of their rebuild; if they want Lopez to be a part of it managing his minutes now makes sense. It may result in more losses now, but if it brightens their future and outlook it is a worthwhile decision to make.