Milwaukee Bucks: Player grades for 2019 FIBA World Cup
By Adam McGee
Brook Lopez
World Cup stat line: 2.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.7 blocks, 0.3 assists, .222/.158/.060
The idea of Brook Lopez at the FIBA World Cup seemed like a tantalizing prospect, particularly when imagining how his limitless shooting range would translate to a setting with closer three-point lines. Unfortunately, the reality of how Lopez’s tournament turned out proved to be very different.
On a roster where it seemed like he had every chance of seizing a significant role, Lopez instead struggled and had to live with scraps in terms of minutes instead. There’s no doubt that status didn’t help his overall play, but it was one of many elements that likely played into a vicious circle for his World Cup play.
Going 3-of-19 from three-point range sums up Lopez’s shooting woes throughout his time in China, but NBA fans will know all about the veteran center’s stellar post scoring ability too.
Gregg Popovich’s system didn’t really turn to Lopez in that regard at any point, while also neglecting to place any real emphasis on his ability to anchor five-out, high volume shooting lineups. Instead, Popovich’s centers were frequently tasked with acting as rudimentary playmaking cogs, offering simple distribution quite a distance away from the basket.
That doesn’t suit Lopez, and perhaps gets him a little leeway in appraising his performance. At the same time, Lopez didn’t have his best at the World Cup, and even in slightly better form could have made a much more positive impact regardless of role and play style. The Bucks will hope there’s no carry over to the new season.
Final grade: D