By record, the LA Clippers are currently 2-2, ranked sixth in the Western Conference. James Harden's performances should be celebrated, yet the reason they are .500, and not worse, despite their all-around issues, is the efforts of Brook Lopez.
In just 16.8 minutes per game, Lopez has changed the way teams guard the Clippers. They can no longer float in and out of the paint, as the big man is an elite three-point shooter. This makes it easy to run simple actions with screens, as the defense can get confused, especially if the home crowd in Intuit Dome is on its feet, chanting loudly enough that the opposing team cannot clearly communicate.
That said, Lopez's spacing has led to optimism on the Clippers' mediocre start to the year, and when everything else begins to fall in place, everyone will be giving the one-time All-Star and Brooklyn Nets legend his flowers.
Brook Lopez deserves the same level of credit as Ivica Zubac and John Collins
With full availability thus far, LA Clippers' fans have witnessed a big man who loves shooting three-pointers more than anything offensively. This is a plus to Tyronn Lue's rotation, as the ordinary inside-scoring duties are managed by Ivica Zubac and John Collins.
In fact, 5.8 out of Lopez's 7.0 attempts from the floor are beyond the arc. Lots of them are in tough spaces with no room to operate and bend his knees comfortably, but due to his size and a high-arc jumpshot, the veteran big man has the confidence to shoot over almost any defender in the league.
In his best game this season, the Clippers' season opener, Lopez left Salt Lake City after draining five three-pointers. This is one way to stand out, as he made his motive crystal clear: maximize every open or mildly contested look.
Yet, because Zubac and Collins were phenomenal last season in recording All-Star-type numbers in the same conference, Lopez's impact has not made the headlines. All three are great at what they do, and though it may take some time, the right amount of praise will be spread evenly later in the regular season.
Momentarily, fans of the Clippers will get to continue to watch Lopez work wonders from three-point land. He also does generational things with his size on defense, only backing up the front office, and why they were so fond of signing him with most of the mid-level-exception immediately.