With their second pick of the 2011 CelticsBlog Draft, the Miami Heat, (aka South Beach Samurai), select 7'0", 265-pound Center from San Joaquin Memorial High School ...
Brook Lopez
Very nice pick.
B.Lopez struggled a bit last year but I think he'll recover nicely next year. Get his rebounding back up to where it used to be.
K.Love + B.Lopez is a very potent offensive combo. Two of the best jump-shooters at their respective positions. Highly skilled. Lopez has a nice post game and Love a developing one. Nice inside-outside big man duo.
I'm not so sure Lopez will bounce back, he also showed a shocking lack of will/effort to get post position this past year.
I worry about his mental development much more than his game. His rebounding and reduced efficiency are all tied to his drifting outside the paint.
I wonder how much his summer illness (mono) effected him.
I have never had it but according to some people who have it saps your energy for months ... long after it goes away.
For a professional athlete, that sounds like a very difficult situation to overcome. Not being able to train in the summer. Being out of shape. And then dealing with that type of long lasting effect throughout the season.
I don't know. But I am waiting to see what he does next year before passing judgement. For now, I am hoping it was just the illness.