If you are a frontcourt player in the N.B.A., to be compared to San Antonio Spurs’ forward Tim Duncan has to be one of the highest compliments to receive.
New Jersey Nets’ center Brook Lopez is an up and coming player in the N.B.A. and Boston Celtics’ center Shaquille O’Neal recently said Lopez reminds him of Duncan:
“Reminds me of … I’m going to go with Tim Duncan,” O’Neal said. “Classy guy. You’ll never hear about him getting in trouble. Great moves, great composure, and you’re really not going to faze him. A couple guys will probably try to rough him up, but that’s not going to faze him. Good player. Good player.” (source espn.com)
In two seasons with the Nets, Lopez has averaged 15.9 points, 1.8 blocks and shot 51% from the field. In Duncan’s first two seasons, he averaged 21.7 points, 2.5 blocks and shot 51% from the field. Seems Lopez has a bit more work to do.
