New York Knicks: Robin Lopez is Worth Every Penny
You may not always see it in the box score, but Robin Lopez has been worth the money for the New York Knicks.
At multiple points during and leading up to the 2016 period of NBA free agency, the New York Knicks were tied to Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, and Greg Monroe. Those three targets, amongst others, sent one message to the masses: Phil Jackson wanted a dominant center to build the Triangle Offense around.
After Gasol re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies, Jordan controversially returned to the Los Angeles Clippers, and Monroe spurned the Knicks for the Milwaukee Bucks, Jackson’s hands were tied.
Robin Lopez was hardly a bad signing, at the time, his acquisition was accused of being a desperation move by the organization. Simply put, New York had two All-NBA centers and a future All-Star in its sights, and ended up settling for a career role player.
It was even less ideal that Jackson shelled out $54 million over four years to bring Lopez to New York.
Roughly eight months later, Lopez is underwhelming statistically. He’s averaging a pedestrian 9.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 25.8 minutes of action, which is a far cry from the nightly double-double that he was expected to provide.
Beyond the season averages, however, Lopez is making something abundantly clear: he was worth the price it took to sign him.
Rising Salary Cap
Prior to 2015-16, a $54 million contract would be considered relatively massive. Due to the fact that the salary cap is expected to rise beyond $90 million this coming summer, however, Robin Lopez’s contract won’t be such a burden in the long-run.
In other words, Phil Jackson signed a starter to a rational contract that will not cripple New York in free agency.
Lopez will make $13,219,250 in 2016-17, $13,788,500 in 2017-18, and $14,357,750 in 2018-19. The salary cap should be well over $100 million by the time his contract sees a substantial rise in cost, and Lopez won’t be 30 until the final month of the 2017-18 regular season.
He isn’t exactly a bargain signing, but Lopez is well worth the money he received
For perspective, Lopez’s 2015-16 base salary ranks No. 13 amongst centers. It makes a slight jump to No. 10 in 2016-17, but that’s without knowledge of what pending free agents will receive under the new cap.
By all means and measures, Jackson landed Lopez for a reasonable price.
Rim Protection
The New York Knicks have the best defensive interior in the NBA. You can dispute that with opinions, blocked shots, and All-Defensive Team appearances, but the real number tell the story of New York having the elite defensive interior.
Kristaps Porzingis’ shot-blocking has played a major factor, but Robin Lopez has been right there with him in redirecting drives to the basket.
According to NBA.com, the Knicks are currently holding opponents to 47.3 percent shooting at the rim—the best mark in the Association. The Utah Jazz check in at No. 2 at 48.4 percent, but thus far, the top team has been New York.
The perimeter defense has been painfully inconsistent, allowing penetration on a far too consistent basis, but no interior has done a better job of limiting efficient looks than New York.
Individually, the 27-year-old is holding opponents to 46.7 percent shooting when he meets them at the rim. Amongst played who have played at least 40 games in 2015-16, that’s the No. 8 mark in the NBA.
Should one include Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert, who have both missed at least 17 games, is still No. 10 in the Association. Elite.
Aiding Kristaps Porzingis
As previously alluded to, Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis make up the most stifling defensive interior in the NBA. Beyond those numbers, however, is something that will not show up in any readily available statistic, whether advanced or basic.
Lopez’s selfless approach to the game has enabled Porzingis to develop into the rookie phenom that he’s become.
Little things matter when developing a rookie, and that includes the veterans sacrificing personal gain. For instance, Lopez has embraced his role as the stat-less center who helps Porzingis post numbers and develop his confidence.
Rather than crashing the boards, and his league-leading 4.0 offensive rebounds per game in 2013-14 prove he can, Lopez has been primarily utilized for his ability to box out.
Lopez takes on one, and at times, two men in order to create rebounding opportunities for Porzingis. He did the same for LaMarcus Aldridge in 2014-15, which is a reason why Phil Jackson brought him on board.
Lopez has also sacrificed offensively. He’s willingly moved away from the basket to accommodate Porzingis’ attempts at post play, and is just as selfless in his dipping down to operate from the low block when KP6 is spacing the floor.
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This all may seem trivial, but Lopez’s willingness to do anything and everything the team asks of him without batting an eye is the key to Porzingis’ development and the Knicks’ future as a team.
In turn, Lopez has proven worth every penny.