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Milwaukee Bucks: Robin Lopez fulfilling much-needed role

By Dalton Sell

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks fights for position against the Indiana Pacers on November 16, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks fights for position against the Indiana Pacers on November 16, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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After a wild offseason around the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks were left out of the spotlight with a rather quiet free agency. But one move that’s stood out early in the season has been the acquisition of Robin Lopez.

For a large part of last season, the Milwaukee Bucks were playing without a true backup center to Brook Lopez.

Former lottery picks John Henson and Thon Maker were the backups, but both ended up being traded during the season. Pau Gasol had a brief stint with the team as well, but a lingering foot injury limited him tremendously.

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Having Brook as the team’s only center would often put the Bucks at a great disadvantage, so it seemed clear that general manager Jon Horst would need address this in free agency.

On July 1, the Bucks signed Robin Lopez, twin brother of Brook, to a two-year, $9.7 million contract with a player option the second year. The Lopez brothers would team up again for the first time since attending college at Stanford, and fans were excited to see how the pair would play together once again.

Robin has become something of a journeyman across the league in recent years but could still be a starting-caliber center for many teams. Only playing in 36 games for the Chicago Bulls last season, Lopez had a relative down year as they were focused on trying to give opportunity to rookie big man Wendell Carter Jr. Playing for this Bucks team has allowed the 12-year veteran to rejuvenate himself in a new role off the bench on a contending team.

Appearing in all 23 games this season, Robin has averaged 5.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, along with 0.7 blocks, and 0.7 assists per game. Those stats may be average, but it is Robin’s presence that has helped the Bucks most. The 7’0″, 275lbs center provides veteran experience and another big body down low to contest shots and create blocks, currently having 16 on the season.

Being a big defensive presence in the post is what Lopez is known for, but what has truly stood out thus far has been his increasingly solid shooting. We know Brook has developed his long-range shooting since joining the Bucks last year, but Robin has also begun to follow in his footsteps. In fact, Robin currently has the better shooting averages of the twins.

Struggling throughsomething of a slump, Brook is averaging 39.9 percent from the field, as well as 27.9 percent from three-point range in 26.5 minutes a game. Though Robin only averages 14.4 minutes per game, he is shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from three-point territory. Embracing the Bucks’ “Let it fly” mindset, Robin has improved his shot immensely to fit right in with the team.

Continuing with shooting, Robin started two games recently in the absence of his brother, who sat out with back soreness. In his first start with the Bucks, Lopez hit a career-high three triples in only the first two quarters of action against the Charlotte Hornets. For perspective, in the first 11 seasons of his career, he only made 11 three-pointers in total. In 23 games this season, he has already surpassed that mark with 13 triples.

Next. Fans should savor every moment of this incredible Milwaukee Bucks team. dark

Though the Milwaukee Bucks did not make any superstar moves in the offseason like many other teams, they remain one of the league’s most dominant forces. Giannis Antetokounmpo will rightfully get the most credit for this, but Lopez is just one of the many reasons why this team has been clicking. A starting-caliber player, Robin has lived up to expectations so far in the season as he thrives in this new role as the Bucks’ backup center.

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