Knicks · "Knicks impressed with new defensive anchor Lopez" (page 1)

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WEST POINT, N.Y. -- What's one of the first things that Derek Fisher notices about new Knick Robin Lopez?

"That basically all tables, stanchions and what appear to be immovable objects should get out of the way when he gets pissed off," the coach said on Wednesday. "If a guy scores on him or something doesn't go well, he tends to make sure that everybody knows that he's not happy. Just having a guy with that type of mindset protecting the basket for you, we hope, can be a good thing."

Phil Jackson signed Lopez to a four-year, $54 million deal with the hope that Lopez can anchor the Knicks' defense. New York's defense was abysmal last season, ranking 28th in defensive efficiency and allowing the highest opponent 3-point field-goal percentage in the NBA.

It's way too early to tell if Lopez can help turn things around. But recent history shows that he's a strong rim defender.

Lopez allowed opponents to shoot just 48 percent at the rim last season, ranking ahead of elite rim defenders such as Marc Gasol, Anthony Davis, Tyson Chandler and DeAndre Jordan.

Carmelo Anthony said the Knicks' early plan on defense is designed, in part, around Lopez.

"It will be a lot of playing around him and him being the anchor down there for us," Anthony said, without revealing any specifics.

The Knicks' star seems happy that Lopez is playing on his side this season.

"I hated him as an opponent. He's a big guy. He's a load down there," Anthony said. "... He's a hell of a pick-and-roll guy. He sets crazy screens. I used to think it was dirty, but now I think they're clean."

In addition to defending the rim, Lopez is looking forward to playing in the Knicks' triangle offense.

"I do think there are a lot of facets of the triangle that I can take advantage of," he said on Wednesday. "I think it does a good job of spacing the floor for one. It does a great job of getting people into the right spots. I feel it really plays to my strengths. I stay around the elbow, around the blocks. I'm comfortable swinging the ball around the top of the key."

Hopefully RoLo is like Tyson without the Flu.

Tyson was allergic to setting solid NBA screens you'd expect from a big man. So hopefully Lopez is a lot better in that aspect

gunsnewing wrote:Tyson was allergic to setting solid NBA screens you'd expect from a big man. So hopefully Lopez is a lot better in that aspect

OH it's not about HOPE! RoLo is one of the best Pick Setters in the league. I think in general this team has a much more physical nature with the guys we've added. RoLo, O'Quinn and Seraphin in particular.

I found this old video that was pretty interesting since it focused on his play around the basket.

gunsnewing wrote:Tyson was allergic to setting solid NBA screens you'd expect from a big man. So hopefully Lopez is a lot better in that aspect

Tyson doesn't set picks.....He rubs the defender, so he can catch an alley oop. Rolo is more of an old school center that actually sets real picks, to free up the jumpshooter first, instead of just looking for a back door alley oop pass. It will be interesting to see the difference between the two centers.

gunsnewing wrote:Tyson was allergic to setting solid NBA screens you'd expect from a big man. So hopefully Lopez is a lot better in that aspect

Jared Jefferies was a really good screener, i just hope his offense is better

knicks1248 wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:Tyson was allergic to setting solid NBA screens you'd expect from a big man. So hopefully Lopez is a lot better in that aspect

Jared Jefferies was a really good screener, i just hope his offense is better

You Hope RoLo's offense is better than Jared Jeffries? It's not like RoLo is a complete mystery. He's not been used as a scoring option but he can be very effective in the post, PnR and offensive
rebounds and put backs. RoLo is actually getting better offensively so we're getting him at a good point in his career. Just look at the Offensive Efficiency rating RoLo has posted the last 3 years. Last year was hampered by a broken hand.

Season	Age Tm	Pos  G	GS  MP	  FG	FGA	FG%	2P	2PA	2P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS	ORtg	DRtg
2008-09	20  PHO	C    60	7   614	  5.8	11.2	.518	5.8	11.1	.522	3.8	5.5	.691	4.2	5.4	9.6	0.7	0.9	3.3	2.3	7.9	15.4	112	111
2009-10	21  PHO	C    51	31  986   8.7	14.9	.588	8.7	14.9	.588	4.5	6.4	.704	5.3	7.4	12.7	0.4	0.5	2.7	2.1	6.0	22.0	123	110
2010-11	22  PHO	C    67	56  991	  9.2	18.3	.501	9.2	18.3	.501	3.8	5.1	.740	4.2	6.9	11.1	0.4	0.9	2.3	2.5	7.3	22.2	105	110
2011-12	23  PHO	C    64	0   895	  7.2	15.6	.461	7.2	15.6	.461	5.8	8.1	.714	5.2	6.9	12.1	1.2	1.0	3.5	2.5	7.4	20.2	108	105
2012-13	24  NOH	C    82	82  2136  9.7	18.3	.534	9.7	18.3	.534	4.1	5.3	.778	5.7	6.0	11.7	1.6	0.8	3.2	2.8	4.2	23.6	114	110
2013-14	25  POR	C    82	82  2603  6.9	12.5	.551	6.9	12.5	.552	3.8	4.7	.818	6.3	7.3	13.6	1.4	0.5	2.7	1.6	3.8	17.6	128	107
2014-15	26  POR	C    59	59  1638  7.3	13.6	.535	7.3	13.6	.537	3.0	4.0	.772	5.9	6.3	12.3	1.7	0.5	2.6	2.3	3.8	17.6	117	104

knicks1248 wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:Tyson was allergic to setting solid NBA screens you'd expect from a big man. So hopefully Lopez is a lot better in that aspect

Jared Jefferies was a really good screener, i just hope his offense is better

I think Jefferies deserves more credit than he gets. Outside of his offense, he provided everything the knicks needed in a center. Rolo seems like a taller, stronger and better offensive version than Jared. But don't down play how important Jefferies was to the wins we got, when he was our starting center. The problem is Isiah over paid him, which led to high expectations that he never reached.