Part of why the absence of Brook Lopez has been so notable has to do with the loss of expected results. For both us as fans and his teammates, he has gradually carved out a reliable role as the second line of defense perimeter players can rely upon and as an imposing wall on defensive rebounding opportunities around which the likes of Giannis could hoover up loose balls. He was very much that same reliable guy on opening night against the Brooklyn Nets, so we can at least take solace in the fact that at some point we should count on his retaining his place.
Monday Morning Media Roundup: November 22nd, 2021
