Post by Rog on Sept 19, 2017 11:22:18 GMT
The 93rd nominee and final from the 2024 class, Brook Lopez, isn't a toss up like the rest of this class. There is no case to be made against him. He is a Hall of Famer. This is simply a celebration of how good he was. The question will be asked though, is he the greatest center to ever play? What about big? Let's take a look.
Career Stats
34.8 MPG, 22.2 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.3 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 2.1 TOPG on 45.4% from the field, 82.7% from the line, and 33% from three
Best Season
Hornets(2014) - 23.6 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 2.8 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 2.7 TOPG on 46.1% from the field and 81.7% from the line
Career Highs
Points: 53
Rebounds: 29
Assists: 12
Steals: 7
Blocks: 11
Achievements
Championships: 1
Player of the Game: 251
Player of the Week: 5
Player of the Month: 0
Double Doubles: 854
Triple Doubles: 3
Awards
2010 - All-Rookie Team
2011 - All-Star Rookie Game Participant
2011 - Rookie Game MVP
2013 - All-Star Game Participant
2013 - All-League Second Team
2014 - All-Star Game Participant
2014 - All-League First Team
2015 - All-Star Game Participant
2015 - All-League First Team
2016 - All-Star Game Participant
2016 - All-League First Team
2017 - All-Star Game Participant
2017 - All-Star Game MVP
2017 - All-League Third Team
2018 - All-Star Game Participant
2018 - All-League First Team
2019 - All-Star Game Participant
2019 - All-League Second Team
2020 - All-League Second Team
2021 - All-League Second Team
2022 - All-League Second Team
Arguments For Induction
- Lopez was one of, if not the, most decorated center of all time. He started early too, winning rookie game MVP in his sophomore season in the league. He played in 7 All-Star games, winning an MVP in that as well one season. Finally he was named to 10 All-League teams total, four 1sts, five 2nds, and one 3rd. He also won a title as arguably the best team on that Hornets roster.
- Despite the mold of a center in this league being defend and rebound, Brook Lopez was an absolutely destructive force offensively. The Hornets and Warriors did a lot during his prime to get him the ball and let him go, and boy did he not disappoint. He averaged over 22 points a game for his career, which is an elite number in a season for a big, but Brook did that over his 15 year career. In 13 of his 15 seasons, he scored over 20 points a game, which for a big is the benchmark of being elite. Unlike other players in this class, who were merely good at scoring, Brook Lopez was one of the best All-Time. In fact he was the best scoring center of all time, 26th all time.
- He did it with efficiency as well, which seems to be a trend this class after some crazy inefficient players the last few years. He shot 45.4% from the field for his career, which isn't elite for a guard, but in this league, that is a crazy ass efficient number for a scoring big. And his 82.7% from the line is another number that is absolutely insanely good coming from a big who shot the ball over 8 times a game from the line.
- While not really an "elite" rebounder, Brook Lopez was pretty damn good at that aspect of the game. He finished his career averaging 12.6 rebounds per game, which is a damn fine number. In what you'd call his "peak" he averaged over 13.2 rebounds for 5 seasons in a row, and another towards the end. He finished 8th in rebounds and 5th all time in double doubles. Thats 3 top 10 stats for Brook.
- Finally in terms of his game, he was a damn good defender. He showed up post defender lists consistently, and was exceptionally strong. He was able to just bully guys from being able to get to the basket. He also wasn't a bad rim protector as well, though not elite. He averaged 2.3 blocks per game for his career, and had a couple seasons over 3. He really could do it all. He did finish top 30 all time in blocks, 28th to be exact.
- Overall, its an easy and exceptionally convincing case for Brook Lopez not only being a Hall of Famer, that much is a lock, but the best center of all time. He was a winner, and anchored consistent winners in Golden State and Charlotte. Where the guards and wings might change, both teams for long periods of time knew they'd have Brook Lopez at the pivot and could guarantee an elite player. I think he got underrated and under appreciated for a while because of how consistently amazing he was. Truly a legend and this brings the end of an era for me.
Arguments Against Induction
- There really isn't much here. Just a smattering of things he wasn't elite at, like passing the ball. His 2.3 assist to 2.1 turnover ratio is kind of ugly, though his 1.1 steals somewhat makes up for it.
- The only other thing to really say in this section is its a hard argument to make for best big when he wasn't elite shot blocking and he "only" has 10 All-Leagues and 7 All-Star Games to his name. Surely someone else has more right? Great player, best center or big? I don't know.
Vote carefully, and remember to throw out arguments regardless of which side you're on. This should be a discussion that eventually gets the league to the proper decision on him. Your vote can also be retracted after it's been cast if you feel like switching to the other side based on the arguments that have been made. To be inducted, a player needs 70% and to be considered in a later class they need 50%. Vote carefully.
***BONUS - Don't forget that everyone who votes gets $25 and the person that makes the best argument or contributes to the discussion the best will be awarded an extra $25***
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