1: Robin Lopez
Although Robin Lopez was only in New York for one season, every Knicks fan should remember him considering that he played and started in all 82 games in 2015-16. He averaged 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in New York.
During the 2016 offseason, the Knicks traded Lopez, Jose Calderon, and Jerian Grant to the Bulls for Derrick Rose. Lopez spent three seasons in Chicago and has since played one season in Milwaukee, one season in Washington, one season in Orlando, and he’s now in Cleveland with the Cavaliers.
In his 15th season, Lopez is averaging 2.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.8 minutes for Cleveland. He started against the Magic in the Cavaliers’ 118-94 win on Thursday and finished with eight points, three assists, and two rebounds in 19 minutes.
The Knicks likely won’t see much of Lopez (if any) in their first-round playoff series against the Cavaliers as he’s taken on a smaller role behind Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Never forget Robin Lopez’s fight with Chris Paul in 2016 which resulted in Lopez receiving two technical fouls and being ejected with a busted lip and bloody face.
NBA Playoffs: 3 X-Factor Knicks that could surprise us, 2 that could fall flat
With the Knicks likely facing the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, there are a few X-factors that could change the tide of the series.