Here in the Brooklyn Nets section we will start breaking down the Nets’ roster for the 2012-13 season. Today, let’s take a look at center Brook Lopez.
The Nets were lucky last season that Lopez even returned to the court. Lopez was coming back from a broken right foot that kept him out of the first 32 games of last season. He made his debut against the Milwaukee Bucks and recorded a season-high 38 points against the Dallas Mavericks. However, Lopez would twist his right ankle only five games after his season debut. The team shut him down after that and since then it has been recovery and rehab for the former 10th pick overall.
This season there is a lot of hope and wishing in the air. The hope that the Nets can win more than 30 games and wishing that the Nets could make the playoffs. Most of it will fall on the shoulders of Lopez. He has enormous talent and now with the pressure of being involved in a mega deal for Dwight Howard is over, it is time for Lopez to get back on the court and show everyone that he can play.
Lopez was given a four-year, $61 million contract extension in the offseason which makes him the man down low for some time for the Nets. He needs to go back to being 20+ point per game scorer that he was in the 2010-11 season before he hurt himself and a lockout derailed his season.
Prior to last season, Lopez never missed a game. This is the time for Lopez to really get into a groove and to be one of the most dominant big men in the NBA. He will also have help on the bench this year so that the team will never miss a beat when he’s not on the floor.
Follow Ryan Gaydos on Twitter.
