Robin Lopez Proves His Worth To Portland Trail Blazers In His Return
By Brian Brennan
@b2brennan
Sam Forencich – Getty Images
Posting 11 points (5-for-9 FG), six rebounds and two blocks might not sound like much, but everything about Robin Lopez and his return to the Portland Trail Blazers last night proved his importance to the organization.
Lopez played 25 minutes in his return, and just like his entire career with the Trail Blazers, his high-level play was not seen on the stat sheet. His statistics from the sheet that were the most important to me were his two blocks and three offensive rebounds. Portland desperately needed more of that in his absence and they got it last night.
After missing 23 games with a hand injury, Lopez showed in one game what he could bring to the struggling team he calls his own. The Trail Blazers won just two of their last 10 up until last night’s win against the Utah Jazz. It took everything to beat the Jazz at home, which isn’t an ideal scenario, but you could see how Lopez’s teammates fed off of his presence.
LaMarcus Aldridge moved freely as he normally does, but when Lopez was on the court he was able to drag the other big man away from the mid-range master. Wesley Matthews, Damian Lillard and Nicolas Batum all were able to move off of Lopez’s screens and get back to their comfort zone with the center who knows his teammates all too well. And probably most important of all, Chris Kaman and Meyers Leonard were able to move back to the second team where they have been more comfortable all season.
Lopez’s career has always been defined by what he does off the stat sheet and off the court. He’s an extremely hard-worker, a great teammate and an even better person. Portland gets their lovable center back and it’s at a perfect time — they play five Western Conference playoff teams in their next seven games. The Blazers hope to see more of Lopez’s effective presence in these games so they can get back to their winning ways.
Brian Brennan is a Portland Trail Blazers writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @b2brennan.
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