Their first year in Portland, by the numbers: Joel Przybilla Age: 25 PPG: 6.4 RPG: 7.7 BPG: 2.1 PER: 15.2 DRtg: 103 Robin Lopez Age: 25 PPG: 10.5 RPG: 8.2 BPG: 1.5 PER: 16.8 DRtg: 108 Did anyone really expect Lopez to emerge as the Center-of-the-present/COTF last summer? He really looks like a Przybilla type of steal and I think he has earned himself a similar deal to what Joel got.
He's really great for the team; not quite as good on defense, but a more credible offensive option. Awesome on the pick-and-roll, and the right combination of goofy and tough for the team and fans. I'd give him a good deal.
I expected him to fit in well, but he has exceeded my expectations. The team rebounding is much better than what I expected it would be with everyone at a career high. Robin is better on offense, and Pryz better on defense, but their impact does seem similar.
He is a lot better than Joel. I loved watching him play but his offensive limitations made the four other guys step up. With Lopez, we have five guys that can score in multiple ways.
Agree with Charcoal Filtered... I loved Joel, but he was more one dimensional than Lopez. You can't leave Lopez wide open because he can hit anything out to 15 feet.
I keep forgetting Robin is only 25, not quite entering his prime yet. I love his game and want him to be a Blazer for a long time.
As Joel's first and most loyal fan I'd still give the edge to Lopez as far as talent. I loved the thyrllas heart though.
I wonder how much he'll get paid when his contract is up? Competent centers are in short supply, and if he keeps up the way he's been playing, you've gotta think he'll get quite a raise.
Joel was a better defender, but Robin is vastly superior on offense. It's not even close. Prz wasn't a good free throw shooter, he wasn't good at catching a pass on a pick and roll, and he had no manner of jump shot to speak of. Robin is actually pretty good as a scorer. He's not LA, of course, but you can go to him in the post if you feel there's a mismatch there. He has that nice little hook that seems to always go in and he's actually really good at running the pick and roll with Nic. Plus, the fact that he can consistently make his free throws, especially in the clutch, makes him extremely valuable as a center. There are a lot of big men who you can't even have on the floor in a clutch situation because you can't count on them to make a free throw.
pryz was better defensively... dont think theres any doubt about that. plus he squared off with tyson chandler. 1000000x more tough
I think Robin is a much better free throw shooter than Joel was. Robin is turning into a double double machine here, Joel was just a master at protecting the rim and setting screens.
Robin Lopez is the best center we've had since Sabonis. He's a keeper for sure. The thing that's really awesome is how he seems to keep getting better. At the beginning he seemed a little stiff. Not to say he was "a stiff" cause he was still effective. It just amazing how much more fluid he looks then he did earlier in the year.
You missed the similarity of a Z in each name. Przybilla tried to start a fight, every game, so he was better. To compare them, it helps if you do what I do. Always imagine Przybilla with long hair.
At this point, with our defense in the shitter, I'd like to have a C with more defensive skills. RoLo however can only get better. Thrilla would be awesome to have as a backup.
