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Milwaukee Bucks: Robin Lopez is finding his rhythm offensively

By Brennan Olin

MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 4: Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 4, 2020 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 4: Robin Lopez #42 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during a game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 4, 2020 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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After a slow start offensively this season, Robin Lopez has shown signs in the last few games that he may be finding his rhythm in the Milwaukee Bucks’ offense.

When Robin Lopez signed up to join the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency this offseason, it was expected that there would be an adjustment period for him offensively. Throughout his career, Lopez had always had an offensive game that didn’t quite fit the way the Bucks prefer to play.

Unlike his twin brother Brook, he hadn’t quite extended his game out to the three-point line yet. Instead, he operated in the paint and the midrange with his go-to hook shot and a very solid 15-foot jumper that he always seemed to make when he faced the Bucks.

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As expected, an adjustment period has taken place for Lopez. He did start off slowly on the offensive end, but it wasn’t because he wasn’t playing well, it’s just that he wasn’t shooting much. He was clearly trying to get comfortable to the Bucks’ style of play and was still figuring out where his spots were going to be. Now that he’s been in the Bucks’ system for a while, it looks like he’s beginning to find his rhythm.

In the Bucks’ current 5-game win streak, Lopez is playing 20 minutes per game and has averaged 11.8 points on 69.2 percent shooting. All of those numbers are up considerably from his season averages of 6.0 points on 53.1 percent shooting in only 14.7 minutes per game.

The key to those increases has been his ability to find his spots in the Bucks’ offense. It seems as though he has found a nice balance between his old style of play and the Bucks’ style of play. Robin still doesn’t “let it fly” from deep as much as Brook does, but he’s not afraid to shoot it when he’s open, as evidenced by him making 2 of 6 threes in the last five games.

By shooting those occasional threes, Robin has been able to keep defenses honest, and that helps him get to the paint where he’s more comfortable operating. When he gets down there, he’s able to get to his favorite shot, the right-handed hook shot.

On those shots alone, he’s been very effective this year, shooting 41-of-62. In the last five games he’s gotten to that shot much more often, shooting 16-of-20. It’s been a huge part of his offensive success of late.

Although Lopez isn’t shooting as many threes as we anticipated he might coming into the season, it could be a good thing for the Bucks in the long run. With Robin working in the paint more than usual for a Bucks center, he’s providing a much-needed contrast in style of play from Brook.

While Brook can extend the defense by bombing away from three, Robin is able to feast in the paint on the smaller centers that most teams have in their second unit. That combo provides a formidable one-two punch from the center position with very little drop off; something they lacked last season.

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If Robin is able to continue this strong play offensively to go along with his rock-solid defense, it would be quite a luxury for the Bucks; not many teams can roll out two centers who are both offensive threats and league-leading rim protectors. We’ll see if he’s able to do just that as the Bucks attempt to go on another long win streak.

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