Despite crafting their system around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, a veteran center with many talents, prospered heavily with the Milwaukee Bucks. His best seasons were with the team he started with, which feels like ages ago, on the Brooklyn Nets. However, many forget that Lopez was an All-Defensive first-team big man in 2022-23 and finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year.
Lopez had an elite defensive campaign at 34 and remains at the same caliber of defender two years later, at 36, as he enters his first season with the LA Clippers. This is massive in any way fans of the NBA try to look at it, as his deal will be worth every dime, nickel, and penny.
Additionally, Lopez has never had a season average of points under 12. He was a rising star as a rookie, coming in second place for Rookie of the Year, and officially became an All-Star with the Nets in 2013.
Furthermore, Lopez adds a generous amount of production to the Clippers’ scheme. The floor spacing he brings is unmatched, yet there is one specific skill he provides to Tyronn Lue, giving LA an advantage over, quite literally, every team in the NBA.
Brook Lopez’s defense gives the LA Clippers rim protection twenty-four seven
In 2024-25, opponents made it obvious they were avoiding Ivica Zubac at the rim. Though he only averaged 1.1 blocks, real hoop heads and NBA experts know him to be someone who is an anchor at the cup, justifying how he made the All-Defensive second-team and finished sixth in the award race for the league’s most valuable defender.
Moreover, the Clippers found their best complement, Brook Lopez, who adds a nightmare-like force in swatting shots. He averaged 1.9 blocks this season, and in the previous season, the 7-foot-1 center averaged 2.4 blocks through 79 games.
Conversely, Lopez has weaknesses in covering the perimeter, through screens, and action plays like dribble-handoffs. Still, the beauty of the Clippers is that they have a variety of defenders to compensate for these weaknesses.
This is precisely why, even with the additions of Bradley Beal and Chris Paul as guards, Kris Dunn will still be of use next season. He will aid Lopez tremendously in masking any void in the half-court, allowing Lopez to flourish in drop coverage.
That said, the Clippers will have the sharpest rim protection in the league for 48 minutes, making their top-five defense even more potent in 2025-26.