Robin Lopez

Last updated

Robin Lopez
Robin Lopez (52590574041) (cropped).jpg
Lopez with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022
Free agent
Position Center
Personal information
Born (1988-04-01) April 1, 1988 (age 36)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight281 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school San Joaquin Memorial
(Fresno, California)
College Stanford (2006-2008)
NBA draft 2008: 1st round, 15th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Suns
Playing career2008–present
Career history
2008–2012 Phoenix Suns
2012–2013 New Orleans Hornets
2013–2015 Portland Trail Blazers
2015–2016 New York Knicks
2016–2019 Chicago Bulls
2019–2020 Milwaukee Bucks
2020–2021 Washington Wizards
2021–2022 Orlando Magic
2022–2023 Cleveland Cavaliers
2023–2024 Milwaukee Bucks
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Robin Byron Lopez (born April 1, 1988) is an American former professional basketball player who last played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the 15th pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, was traded to the New Orleans Hornets in 2012 and was traded to Portland in 2013. He played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal alongside his twin brother Brook Lopez. He has played for nine NBA teams, including a three-year stint with the Chicago Bulls and two stints with the Bucks.

Contents

Early life

Lopez was born in North Hollywood, California, to Heriberto Lopez, a Cuban baseball player, and Deborah Ledford, a swimmer. [1] [2] [3] He attended San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno, California, where he was named a McDonald's All-American in 2006.

College career

Lopez (left) with his brother Brook at Stanford. Robin and Brook Lopez.jpg
Lopez (left) with his brother Brook at Stanford.

Lopez was one of just three players for the Cardinal team to start all 31 games in the 2006–07 season. He averaged 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while averaging 24 minutes. [4] He led the team with 73 blocked shots, breaking the Stanford record for a freshman and recording the second highest single season record in Stanford history. This mark also was the highest in the Pacific-10 conference. With his twin brother, Brook, the two blocked more shots than seven Pac-10 teams. [5] Lopez also had two double-doubles on the season.

Lopez had his 100th career block in a game versus Santa Clara University on December 19, 2007. In his sophomore season, Lopez achieved All-Pac-10 Defensive Team honors while also being named an Honorable Mention to the All-Pac-10 team. [6] He was second in the Pac-10 in blocks for the season. With 83 blocks in his second season, Lopez moved into second place all time for career blocks by a Stanford player.

Lopez declared that he would enter the 2008 NBA draft on March 31, 2008, after just two seasons at Stanford. [7]

Coming out of college Robin recorded a size 20 foot. A tied-third largest size in NBA history alongside his brother Brook.

Professional career

Phoenix Suns (2008–2012)

Lopez was selected with the 15th overall pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 2008 NBA draft. After being drafted by the Suns, Lopez said: "I was hoping I'd drop. I think I was the only person in the draft that was hoping he'd drop." [8]

Lopez joined a Suns team already featuring one of the all-time great centers in Shaquille O'Neal, and thus was not expected to get many minutes during his rookie season. He got the first start of his career on November 7, 2008, against the Chicago Bulls in place of the injured O'Neal; he played 30 minutes, scored 14 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 2 blocks. [9] For his rookie season, Lopez only saw an average of 10.2 minutes per game, with 3.2 points and 2 rebounds. At the end of the season, Shaq was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, making Lopez the assumed starting center. [10]

Lopez with the Suns in January 2011 Robin Lopez Suns.jpg
Lopez with the Suns in January 2011

During the 2009–10 regular season, Lopez averaged 8.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game. During the end of the season, however, Lopez was injured, and was replaced by Jarron Collins until the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, where the Suns eventually lost, 4 games to 2.

After the 2009–10 season, Lopez went into a major decline, despite starting and playing more games. During December 2010, he was injured again, and he was temporarily replaced by Earl Barron. This eventually resulted in decreased production from Lopez, which forced the Suns to trade for Marcin Gortat. While Lopez was still starting for the Suns, his stats were quickly declining, while Gortat's stats were improving. This forced Lopez to eventually become a bench player again. Robin Lopez would average 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds at an average of 14.8 minutes per game.

In the shortened 2011–12 NBA season, Lopez wouldn't even produce a single start for the Suns. Because of Gortat's increased production at center, Lopez was forced to become a back-up center once again. He averaged 5.4 points with an average of 14 minutes per game there.

New Orleans Hornets (2012–2013)

Lopez with the Hornets in 2013 Robin Lopez Hornets 2.jpg
Lopez with the Hornets in 2013

On July 27, 2012, the New Orleans Hornets acquired Lopez and Hakim Warrick in a three-team sign-and-trade deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, which sent Brad Miller, Wesley Johnson and Jerome Dyson to the Suns. [11] It was during this time that Lopez would produce his best results yet, starting for every game of the season and gaining new career highs in almost every field in the process.

Portland Trail Blazers (2013–2015)

On July 10, 2013, New Orleans traded Lopez to the Portland Trail Blazers as a part of a three-way trade that also involved the Sacramento Kings. [12] In his first season with the Trail Blazers, he recorded 29 double-doubles and set the franchise single season record for offensive rebounds. [13]

Due to his presence in the Portland community, as well as his consistent and blue-collar style of play, Lopez was a fan favorite amongst the Portland faithful. He was honored with the Maurice Lucas Award in March 2014 for his efforts in his "Read Big" literacy campaign with Portland Public Schools. [14]

On December 16, 2014, Lopez was ruled out for a month after breaking his hand against San Antonio the night before. [15]

New York Knicks (2015–2016)

On July 9, 2015, Lopez signed with the New York Knicks. [16] In February 2016, Lopez had two 26-point, 16-rebound games, both season highs. [17] On March 20, 2016, he recorded 23 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in an 88–80 loss to the Sacramento Kings. [18]

Chicago Bulls (2016–2019)

On June 22, 2016, Lopez was traded, along with José Calderón and Jerian Grant, to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round draft pick. [19] On March 17, 2017, he scored a season-high 25 points in a 112–107 loss to the Washington Wizards. [20]

Milwaukee Bucks (2019–2020)

On July 12, 2019, Lopez signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, putting him on the same NBA team as his twin brother. [21]

Washington Wizards (2020–2021)

On November 22, 2020, Lopez signed with the Washington Wizards. [22] During his Wizards stint, his signature hookshot made him a good scoring option off the bench. On May 6, 2021, Lopez scored a season-high 24 points against the Toronto Raptors. Lopez had the third best field goal percentage in the whole league in the 2020–21 NBA season.

Orlando Magic (2021–2022)

On August 6, 2021, Lopez signed with the Orlando Magic. [23]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2022–2023)

On July 8, 2022, Lopez signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. [24]

Return to Milwaukee (2023–2024)

On July 7, 2023, Lopez signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, reuniting him with his twin brother Brook. [25] On February 8, 2024, Lopez was traded to the Sacramento Kings and was subsequently waived. [26]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
 * Led the league

NBA

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2008–09 Phoenix 60710.2.518.000.6912.0.1.2.73.2
2009–10 Phoenix 513119.3.588—.7044.9.1.21.08.4
2010–11 Phoenix 675614.8.501—.7403.2.1.3.76.4
2011–12 Phoenix 64014.0.461—.7143.3.3.3.95.4
2012–13 New Orleans 82*82*26.0.534—.7785.6.8.41.611.3
2013–14 Portland 8282*31.8.551.000.8188.5.9.31.711.1
2014–15 Portland 595927.8.535.000.7726.7.9.31.49.6
2015–16 New York 82*82*27.1.539.000.7957.31.4.21.610.3
2016–17 Chicago 818128.0.493.000.7216.41.0.21.410.4
2017–18 Chicago 646426.4.530.286.7564.51.9.2.811.8
2018–19 Chicago 743621.7.568.226.7243.91.2.11.19.5
2019–20 Milwaukee 66514.5.492.333.5282.4.7.2.75.4
2020–21 Washington 71919.1.633.278.7233.8.8.2.69.0
2021–22 Orlando 36917.0.553.333.5933.51.5.1.57.1
2022–23 Cleveland 3728.1.640.500.7781.4.5.1.23.0
2023–24 Milwaukee 1624.0.368.2501.000.3.3.1.21.1
Career99260721.1.537.297.7434.7.8.21.18.4

Play-in

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021 Washington 2011.1.600–.6672.0.0.01.07.0
Career2011.1.600–.6672.0.0.01.07.0

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2010 Phoenix 6617.3.543—1.0004.0.0.3.27.8
2014 Portland 111133.4.489—.6679.2.8.51.810.0
2015 Portland 5523.4.600—1.0004.4.6.21.05.2
2017 Chicago 6627.0.654—1.0007.2.8.51.012.7
2020 Milwaukee 307.0.750—.0001.3.0.0.02.0
2021 Washington 5014.6.720—.2501.8.0.0.87.4
2023 Cleveland 203.01.000—1.000.5.0.0.04.0
Career382822.4.581—.7765.4.4.3.98.2

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2006–07 Stanford 313124.0.480.000.5455.5.9.22.47.5
2007–08 Stanford363024.5.5341.000.6525.7.6.52.310.2
Career676124.3.511.500.6125.6.8.32.39.0

Personal life

Lopez has three brothers: Chris, Alex, and twin brother Brook. Alex played college basketball for Washington and Santa Clara, [27] and professionally in Japan, New Zealand [28] and Spain, while Brook also plays in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lopez maintains his offseason home in Portland, Oregon, even though he no longer plays for the Trail Blazers. [29]

Lopez is an avid comic book enthusiast and also participated in theater productions at Stanford in California. [30]

Robin is younger than his twin brother Brook by one minute. [31]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ LaPointe, Joe (March 26, 2008). "Wonderful World of Lopez Twins". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  2. ↑ Gustafson, John (October 22, 2007). "The nerd herd". ESPN the Magazine. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  3. ↑ Elling, Steve (April 29, 1990). "At 6-10, Alex Lopez Is Drawing a Crowd : Youth basketball: The 14-year-old's mother says many have inquired about her son, looking 'for a piece of the pie.'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  4. ↑ Robin Lopez's Stanford Player Bio
  5. ↑ 2006-2007 Pac-10 Men's Basketball Wrap-Up
  6. ↑ Stanford Battles Texas Friday In NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
  7. ↑ Robin, Brook to enter NBA draft after two seasons at Stanford
  8. ↑ Suns draft chatter (with updates)
  9. ↑ "Suns vs. Bulls - Box Score - November 7, 2008 - ESPN".
  10. ↑ "Sources: Suns agree to send Shaq to Cavaliers". June 25, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Charlotte Hornets News Headlines". NBA.com .
  12. ↑ "TRADE BLAZERS ACQUIRE ROBIN LOPEZ FROM NEW ORLEANS". NBA.com. July 10, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Blazers' Robin Lopez Breaks Franchise Single-Season Offensive Rebounding Record". BleacherReport.com. April 17, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  14. ↑ Freeman, Joe (March 19, 2014). "Trail Blazers' Robin Lopez honored with Maurice Lucas Award". OregonLive.com. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  15. ↑ Sources: Robin Lopez expected to miss month with broken hand
  16. ↑ "Knicks Acquire Four Free Agents: Afflalo, R. Lopez, Williams, O'Quinn". NBA.com. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Robin Lopez 2015-16 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Cousins has 24 points, 20 boards as Kings shut down Knicks". NBA.com. March 20, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
  19. ↑ "BULLS SEND DERRICK ROSE TO NEW YORK IN FIVE-PLAYER DEAL". NBA.com. June 22, 2016. Archived from the original on June 24, 2016.
  20. ↑ "John Wall, Bradley Beal carry Wizards past Dwyane Wade-less Bulls". ESPN.com. March 17, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Bucks Sign Robin Lopez and Wes Matthews". NBA.com. July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Wizards sign Robin Lopez". NBA.com. November 22, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Orlando Magic Sign Robin Lopez". NBA.com. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Cavaliers Sign Ricky Rubio, Robin Lopez, and Raul Neto". NBA. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Milwaukee Bucks Sign Robin Lopez". NBA. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Kings Waive Robin Lopez". NBA.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  27. ↑ All kidding aside, Lopez brothers enjoyed one fun ride
  28. ↑ 2000 NBL Standings and Statistical Leaders
  29. ↑ "Robin Lopez: Trail Blazers' missing link finds a home in Portland". November 26, 2014.
  30. ↑ Nerd Herd – ESPN
  31. ↑ "Some Fun Facts About the Lopez Brothers". SLAM. December 1, 2015.
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