Brook Lopez Brings on Exams and New Beginnings

Sep 29, 2024

3 min read

Sometimes, the journey of a player mirrors what we go through in life—struggles, growth, moments of doubt, and breakthroughs. This week, I want to focus on a somewhat overlooked player in Lakers history: Brook Lopez's time as the team's center during the 2017-18 season. It wasn't a championship run for the Lakers, but Lopez's impact, both as a player and a veteran presence, is worth remembering—especially as I reflect on my own challenges this week.

The Steady Giant

In the 2017-18 season, Brook Lopez joined the Lakers after a long, successful stint with the Brooklyn Nets. Coming off several seasons of being the Nets' centerpiece, he arrived in Los Angeles as a veteran who could provide stability to a young core, including Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma. Despite the ups and downs of the season, Lopez's time with the Lakers showcased his versatility.

That season, Lopez averaged 13 points and 4 rebounds per game, and more importantly, he showed off his expanding range, hitting 1.5 threes per game at a 34.5% clip—a notable evolution for a 7-footer who had previously made his name as a back-to-the-basket big man. He wasn't the dominant force in the paint he used to be, but his ability to stretch the floor was crucial in helping the Lakers' young guards operate in space.

Though the Lakers didn't make the playoffs that year, Lopez's ability to adjust his game would become a hallmark of his career. After leaving LA, he eventually landed with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he reinvented himself even further, becoming a key piece of a 2021 NBA Championship team. In Milwaukee, he became known for his defense, especially his shot-blocking, earning a place among the league's elite rim protectors while still spacing the floor as a shooter.

Lopez’s journey was about adaptation and perseverance, and his Lakers stint was a crucial step in that transformation. His time in purple and gold may not have earned him accolades, but it laid the groundwork for the player he would become—a championship-caliber center who proved that even veterans can learn new tricks.

New Beginnings and Challenges

In a way, my week has felt a lot like Lopez’s transition to LA—a time of new beginnings and adjustments. I just started my new job at CU Athletics, and while I'm excited about the opportunity, it's been a bit overwhelming balancing everything. This week, we had a massive Colorado football win over UCF, which brought a ton of energy to campus. It reminded me why I love sports so much—the highs, the victories, and how it brings people together. Being part of that environment at CU Athletics is something I’ve been working towards, but with it comes a lot of responsibilities.

At the same time, I’ve also been swamped with exams. The stress of trying to juggle both my academic workload and the new job has been a challenge. I’ll be honest—I don’t feel like I crushed these exams. Despite putting in the time and effort to study, there’s this lingering feeling that I could’ve done better. But, like Lopez during that 2017-18 season, I’m learning that not every step has to be perfect. What matters is the hard work and the willingness to adapt and grow.

Lessons from Brook and My Own Journey

If there’s one thing Brook Lopez’s career shows us, it’s that the grind pays off. Even if the results aren’t immediate or the path doesn’t go exactly as planned, the hard work lays the foundation for future success. He went from being just a solid contributor on a rebuilding Lakers team to an NBA champion. Similarly, while I may feel the pressure right now—whether it’s from exams or adjusting to a new job—I know that this is part of the process. The lessons I’m learning, both in the classroom and at CU Athletics, will eventually pay off, just like Lopez’s time with the Lakers helped him evolve into a champion with Milwaukee.

So, here's to Brook Lopez and his often-forgotten Lakers chapter, and here’s to all of us navigating through change, challenges, and opportunities. Like Brook, we’re all a work in progress.

Catch you next week,

-Goldie