There’s a certain sadness that comes with watching a great player age. The reflexes slow, the legs grow heavier, and the game that once felt effortless becomes a struggle.
For Milwaukee Bucks big man Brook Lopez, that reality has long been setting in. At 35 years old, Lopez is still a dominant rim protector and a savvy veteran, but the signs of decline are becoming harder to ignore. His offense, which was never really his strongest suit, has been inconsistent at best, and his lack of mobility is a growing liability on defense in a league that has valued perimeter spacing and defensive versatility above all else.
Gone are the days of drop coverage being a winning tactic for playoff-bound teams. The fact of the matter is that the Milwaukee Bucks simply can’t afford to wait for the inevitable; they need to start planning for life after Lopez now.
The decline of Brook Lopez is no longer a matter of if or even when
Let’s be clear: Brook Lopez has been a cornerstone of the Bucks’ success for years. His ability to protect the rim, stretch the floor and anchor the defense has been instrumental in Milwaukee’s era of success the past few years. He has absolutely carved out his legacy in Milwaukee Bucks history regardless of what happens next.
But the sad truth that every great player in this association has had to face is that Father Time is undefeated, and Lopez’s decline is becoming increasingly apparent by the day.
According to NBA.com/stats, opponents are still shooting just 46.5 percent when Lopez is the closest defender. It's still an extremely competent number, but a far cry from the 41.9 percent he held scorers to in 2021. While he’s still a capable shot-blocker, his lack of mobility makes him a liability in pick-and-roll situations and against faster, more athletic teams.
There are some things that only the eye test can tell you that the advanced stats never will, and this is one of them. While the stats say that Lopez is still effective when he plays, the reality is that his presence on the floor forces the Bucks to play a very specific brand of basketball, especially on the defensive end.
That doesn't make them a bad team by any means, but it makes them very easy and predictable to gameplan for. Having that kind of player is only tempting fate, especially in the playoffs. The fact that the Bucks were shopping him around the trade deadline should tell fans all we need to know about his long-term future in Milwaukee.
Offensively, Lopez’s struggles are even more pronounced. These days, his reputation as a floor-spacer at the five spot is more in imagination than reality: he’s averaging just 12.3 points per game on 48 percent shooting, including a 36.4 percent from three. While his post game relies on size and sheer strength, his 3-point shot just isn't looking too snappy these days, while even his shot-selection is starting to raise concern.
As a result, his inability to stretch the floor consistently has made it easier for defenses to collapse into the paint, limiting Damian Lillard's and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s driving lanes and stifling the Milwaukee Bucks’ offense. For a team with championship aspirations, that’s a problem.
The good news is that the Bucks don’t have to look far for a potential solution. These aren't potential Lopez replacements in the starting lineup altogether, but they can at least start to soak up some of the minutes that Lopez is taking.
Jericho Sims, the 25-year-old big man acquired at the trade deadline, has shown flashes of the athleticism and versatility the Bucks need. At 6-foot-10 and near-elite leaping ability, Sims is a lob threat on offense and a disruptive force on defense. While he’s still raw, his potential is undeniable, and the Bucks would be wise to give him more minutes to develop, even if he is nowhere close to the shooter that Lopez is.
But Sims isn’t the only option. Tyler Smith and Chris Livingston, though they aren't necessarily centers, are both two young forwards with size and athleticism who could also very well play a role in the Milwaukee Bucks’ future.
Smith, a 6-foot-11 forward with a smooth shooting stroke, has more potential to stretch the floor and protect the rim between the two. Livingston, though, is a 6-foot-6 wing with a seven-foot wingspan, brings energy and defensive versatility and has always played bigger than his size. Neither player is a finished product, (on the contrary, they're both years away from being that) but they represent the kind of youth and athleticism the Bucks need to offset Lopez’s decline.
The Bucks’ decision to waive Liam Robbins earlier this season feels like a missed opportunity. At seven feet with a similar build and playing style to Lopez, many fans including this writer felt that Robbins could have been the heir apparent to the Bucks’ defensive anchor. Pete Nance, the 6-foot-11 big man recently signed in his place could still be that player. Nance’s ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim makes him a more versatile and future-proof prospect, but with Lopez's contract soon lapsing, the Bucks don't have the time to decide on his potential.
It's not an easy question to answer, but the options are there. Maybe they develop the bigs. Maybe they go small. Maybe they start experimenting with more Giannis at the five lineups. Whatever the answer is, they're running out of time to decide on one and commit to it.
The Bucks must get a head start on the inevitable reality of Brook Lopez’s decline. While "Splash Mountain" has been a cornerstone of the team’s success, his age and declining mobility are becoming harder to ignore. By giving more minutes to Jericho Sims, Tyler Smith and Chris Livingston, the Bucks can start preparing for the future while still competing in the present.
It hurts to possibly let go of another franchise cornerstone, especially one who was essential to the team's identity to practically the entirety of this recent era. But if the Bucks act now, they can ensure that their future is as bright as their present.
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