Brook Lopez: “Our goal is to be a very good playoff team”
What has been the highlight of the summer for you so far?
Brook Lopez: The highlight probably has been the chance to travel. I’ve been travelling and having a good time.
How was the Team USA camp? Tell me a little bit about the experience.
BL: It was a great experience. It’s been short, but it was a great way to connect with other players and put me in a situation to make the team.
Who was the most impressive player there?
BL: I’d say it would come down to Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose. They are like the two best young players in the world. They definitely showed that at the camp and can take one of the spots on the team.
Do you feel like you surpassed expectations in your rookie year with the Nets?
BL: You know, I just did my best. I tried to learn and get better with each game and I think I came out a better player doing that.
You will probably be more under the microscope this season. Do you feel any added pressure because of that?
BL: I try to ignore those outside sources. I try to ignore what people say and focus on myself. You just have to stay hungry and be focused on what you can control on the court and not care about people’s opinions.
What’s going to happen with the Brook & Ryan Show this season now that Ryan Anderson has gone to Orlando?
BL: Well, we’re no longer teammates, but we’re going to play against each other four times a year. So we’ll have time to hang around and we can do stuff. We sure can do a few more episodes this year.
Without Vince Carter, what’s a realistic goal for the Nets this season?
BL: Our goal is to be a very good playoff team. We have really good young talent, but also a little bit of experience. So it’s a good combination and I think we can go somewhere.
What were your thoughts on the trade?
BL: It was difficult for me just because Ryan Anderson was my best friend on the team and helped me with the transition to the NBA. You just have to take it professionally. He’s going to a championship contender where he can play more to his strengths. As for myself, it allows me to have a bigger role next season.
Do you feel like this is your team and Devin’s team now?
BL: You know, I don’t really think there’s one player this team belongs to. I just think we can be a solid team and do good things year.
What kind of career do you think your brother Robin can have in the NBA?
BL: I think he’s going to be a great player. He’s more athletic than I am. Last year, he was stuck behind two future Hall of Fame players in Shaq and Amare. So this season he’s going to have a better chance of showing what he can do.
Who won the backyard battles at your house growing up?
BL: (Laughs) I’d say I always won the battles. But if you can ask him, you’ll probably get a different answer.
Stephen Janetzki Said,
August 9, 2009 @ 8:11 am
One of my favorite younger players in the NBA. I truly believe Brook has the talent to emerge as one of the true All-Star caliber centers in the NBA this season! I really like the young team the Nets have.
thetreesarenice Said,
August 9, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
Wonderful draft pick that year by the Nets.
.
Josh Siegel Said,
August 9, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
Brook will be a franchise center. I think he’ll go for 17-9 this year and has a brighter future than Bynum. Great guy and player
Matt N Said,
August 9, 2009 @ 5:31 pm
if they continue to build around Lopez and Harris, the Nets will have a bright future no matter how bleak all the critics say it will be, and no matter what happens next summer. Granted they still need more pieces, but Lopez will be a franchise guy for sure.
URDUMB Said,
August 9, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
I think he’ll go for 17-9 this year and has a brighter future than Bynum
Your Dumb
Latrell S Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 5:36 am
I think you meant “you’re dumb” - retard.
Brook Lopez will have a big year.
J Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 8:32 am
For any big men to get a high scoring average, they have to get a good shooting touch. I watch some of his games last year, he is not like a Brad Miller yet, he can’t shoot beyond 10 feet.I will say he is a 14 and 10 player for the most of his career.
I don’t see the nets building a good team for a decade. They are not building a team to win a championship.
Kidd is gone, Carter is gone. How abut Jefferson, the guy i believe was the best player in the team.
The problem for this team is their power forward and small forward position. I don’t know why they pick up some many under average power forward, Sean Williams, Yi Jian Lian, Tony Batty, Najara. Now who is the starting power forward?
They just don’t have a small forward in this team, Yi? Bobby?
they have some good player in the shooting guard, but they are average player, anyone say Lee is a great player, I will say he is a loser. The Magic could win the championship this year if he doesn’t blow three good chance in the end of the game two.
Williams is just a role player , and they got good at point guard, but Rafer and Dooling is not in their long term plan, so why they trade Rafer to their team, in the Carter trade, should get as many young talent as possible. But they just get Lee, and they also trade away Anderson.
I don’t see they make a playoff in next five year unless they get a super rookie like LeBron James.
Steve Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 9:22 am
um… what? big men need to be shooters to score? you need to watch some basketball.
Monday Bolts – 8.10.09 | Daily Thunder.com - Where Thunder Happens Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 10:23 am
[...] Brook Lopez talking about who impressed him most at the Team USA mini-camp: “I’d say it would come down to Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose. They are like the two best young players in the world. They definitely showed that at the camp and can take one of the spots on the team.” [...]
JERZ Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 11:23 am
@J SAD.
I’m good with 14-10 from Brook but for his career i think he’ll be close to a 20-10 guy when he hits his prime.To say we won’t make the playoffs for a decade is just stupid.The Nets have a nice young talented team there building with two more 1st round draft picks coming up and one of them will be a lottery pick.I don’t think will make it this year but theres always a chance in the east.The Nets will be back in the playoffs for the 2010-11 season.BOOK IT!!!!
CJ Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 11:52 am
gotta say i thought he’d be a bust and that his go-to moves wouldn’t work against NBA defenses. but he’s been a steal of a pick so far. a few years ago who thought that he’d be further along then greg oden at this point of their young careers?
Nets Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 1:41 pm
This ‘J Said’ guy is an idiot … how many Net games did you really watch? Brook would consistently hit shots from the 15-17 foot range…in fact, he hit a three pointer at the Team USA Mini Camp this summer. He’s not like Brad Miller yet? Brook went off for 20 and 10 against him at the end of last season, where he completely embarrassed him in the post. They can’t build a good team for another decade? They have great players at the two most important positions, C and PG, and have plenty of draft picks, cap space and young players (TWIll, Lee & CDR). This is the right way to rebuild a franchise. They just weren’t going to contend with the VC/RJ tandem. They need a “super rookie” like LeBron James? What on earth are you talking about?!
Get real Brook Lopez Said,
August 10, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
[...] Without Vince Carter, what
Buc 50 Said,
August 11, 2009 @ 5:00 am
J, I’m pretty sure Shaq averaged 26+ ppg throughout most of his career, and he never had any type of shooting touch. So what exactly are you talking about? Big men don’t need shooting range to be able to score a lot of points. They need a lot of touches down low and a lot of free throw attempts.
Besides that, Brook CAN shoot, so I don’t know what Brook you were watching.
Kurama Said,
August 11, 2009 @ 10:56 am
maybe J is refering to the twin brother ^_^
IMHA Said,
August 11, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
Yeah hes an idiot centers need a shooting touch… yeah right SHAQ, DAVID ROBINSON, and anyway the guy has a better jump shot than 95 percent of the centers in the NBA and some of the guards.. the nets wont be in the playoffs this year bt with the core of young guys we have Harris, Lee, (BROOK!!!), CDR, T-WiLL, and most of the vets will be gone soon.. hopefully YI can come up with some toughness, and confidense! but if not im sure will get a compliment to brook at the 4 thru the draft or free agency.. ALSO DONT COUNT OUT LEBRON FOR NEXT YEAR :)… but yeah we wont be in theplayofs this year but in 2 yeas nets will be a young contender GuARAnTEED!!!
IMHA Said,
August 11, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
yi also needs more consistency 4got that part
14-10? Said,
August 12, 2009 @ 2:25 pm
You do know lopez averaged 15 ppg for the second half of the season as a 20 year old rookie?
Not sure how that translate to just 14 ppg for a career.