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Milwaukee Bucks: Brook Lopez needs more touches

By Gage Bridgford

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 22: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a shot during a game against the New York Knicks at the Fiserv Forum on October 22, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 22: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks takes a shot during a game against the New York Knicks at the Fiserv Forum on October 22, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Giannis Antetokounmpo is the engine for the Milwaukee Bucks, but Brook Lopez is the key to starting the engine, and he needs more touches moving forward.

Earlier in his career, Brook Lopez was a down on the block big man who worked well with his back to the basket. As the years have gone on, the game has changed and Lopez has changed along with it. In his first eight seasons, he combined to take 31 threes. In 2016-17, his final year with the Brooklyn Nets, he hoisted 387 shots from long range. He’s already put up 261 3-point shots this year, and the season isn’t even half over.

In the past few years, we have seen the effectiveness of bigs spacing the floor to open up driving lanes. One of the best examples of this was Ryan Anderson during his time with the Houston Rockets. Anderson had limited athleticism, but he spaced the floor to give room for James Harden, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon to do their damage. Lopez isn’t canning 40 percent of his triples like Anderson was, but he is inching towards that mark.

One common theme that we have seen this season is the comparison between Lopez and Golden State Warriors marksman Klay Thompson. Up until Lopez’s quiet night in the win over the Atlanta Hawks, he had made the same number of threes as Thompson with fewer attempts. On multiple occasions this season, Lopez has caught fire to torch opposing defenses. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the engine that makes this team go, but Lopez is the key that unlocks it.

Since the Milwaukee Bucks moved Lopez to the focal point of the offense. His passing skills have only improved, and he is great passing out of the post. Teams know how dominant he can be scoring from inside, and they will often double team him with their center which opens up Lopez for an easy look. Lopez’s mobility allows him to function effectively outside where a lot of traditional centers feel uncomfortable.

As you can see in the clip above, Andre Drummond cheats over to help on Antetokounmpo which gives Lopez a wide open look. That’s not the first time it’s been this season, and, if Mike Budenholzer wants the team to improve on their league-best offensive rating, they need to do it even more. There are few teams in the league with the size and athleticism to match up with Giannis and Lopez at the power forward and center spot.

Lopez can be the difference maker for this team in the playoffs. It’s rare that centers are able to play due to defensive limitations. He can force opposing teams to play lineups that aren’t their best which plays into the Bucks’ hands. Stretch bigs, such as the aforementioned Anderson, can struggle when defending, but Lopez plays well ranking 19th among centers in DRPM to go with seventh overall in total RPM.

Next. This may be as good as it gets for the Bucks. dark

The Bucks surprised some teams by how well they have played so far this year, and Lopez has been no small part of that. His play gives Giannis, Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe the room to drive to the basket or hit him on the wing for a good 3-point attempt. As long as he stays healthy down the stretch of the season, Lopez will shatter his marks for 3-point attempts and makes in a season, and he will continue to be this team’s secret weapon that needs even more touches.

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