With the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year award on file, Giannis Antetokounmpo typically had a garden of flowers given to him from the NBA community when the Milwaukee Bucks would put their clamps up defensively. Even with a non-reputable defender like Damian Lillard playing over 30 minutes, Doc Rivers’ scheme would still lock down opponents, and Antetokounmpo was the player at the top of the credits, similar to how film directors cap off an award-winning movie.
However, the Bucks had an overlooked anchor in Brook Lopez that Antetokounmpo was assisting. Ball knowers remember Lopez for being one of the league’s most elite interior defenders, and in two of his 17 seasons, the NBA gave him recognition on the All-Defensive teams.
Moreover, Lopez changed his team colors this summer from green and white to the pristine red, white, and blue of the LA Clippers. This is the opportunity he may have been wanting, as he is 36 and may have back pain after so many years of carrying the Bucks’ defense.
Next season, Lopez’s friendship with Ivica Zubac will also be strengthened. They were teammates before, and will share the court shortly, while also participating in team-bonding activities and events off the court.
Thus, the Clippers’ signing of Lopez was their most important offseason move that has been hidden under a rock with the news of Bradley Beal.
Brook Lopez on the roster ensures the LA Clippers’ defense will never plummet next season
Fans of the NBA community only gave the LA Clippers the rightful amount of attention after the blueprint was finished. This is because Bradley Beal is a three-time All-Star who ended LA’s desire for a ‘big fish’.
Conversely, the Clippers should have been given the time of day when Brook Lopez signed on a two-year contract. He will have more of an impact than anyone on the team, and the Clippers needed him most with how much Ivica Zubac is cherished around the organization.
Lopez led a top-ten defense on the Milwaukee Bucks. This instantly made him the perfect bench option in the NBA, protecting the rim behind the Croatian star.
That said, the Clippers absolutely love the rising star they developed and witnessed last season in Big Zu. Had he gotten injured due to a heavy amount of minutes, LA would have lived in regret. Therefore, Lopez deserves more real estate in conversations for being the front office’s most important offseason move.