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 Life with Lopez as a Phoenix Sun
Posted By: Dan Hilton |
 Robin Lopez' mother, Debbie Ledford, is excited he was chosen by the Suns. (Jeramie McPeek/Suns.com) |
Obviously Robin was tough enough on his brothers that an NBA team thought he would be a good fit for them. Everyone in the family was ecstatic when Lopez was picked by Phoenix. Debbie pointed out that Robin loved the Suns from the very beginning and when he knew the team was interested in him, he stopped working out for any other team so they wouldn't know how good he was. "This is the perfect fit for him. It's the perfect thing for him and the best thing for the team."
I asked what his family thought fans would want to know about him that they don't already know. His brother said that Robin isn't shy about being in media now that he has experience in the limelight so fans already know a lot about him. His mom commented that "he's a gentle giant. He's so good around kids, like his niece. He has a big heart. He treats children very well."
One of the things Robin is known for is his hair. I asked how he decided to take on that hairstyle. She said both twins would get their haircut and they would look about the same up until about high school. At that point, Robin decided that he didn't want to get a haircut and she let him grow it out because "it's his head." But when it gets too long, his brother Christopher may come and trim it a bit.
His mother also commented on how much the Lopez twins love Disneyland. "When they were younger, we went maybe once a year. But as they got older we would go five or six times a year. In fact, our family vacation this August is to Disneyworld." Alexander added, "Their creative match is Disney. That's the thing that sparks their imagination when they're off the court." According to his mother, Robin started drawing when he was a toddler. While Brook was out shooting baskets, he would be inside drawing, reading and writing. That obviously changed as he got older.
After speaking with two members of his family I can say one thing for sure: We don't have to worry about Robin's support system. His mother and brother are very supportive, are both already very savvy with the media and should be able to help Robin as he makes the transition from college to the NBA. His mom told me their plans for the next couple of months regarding getting things situated for Lopez in Phoenix, finding housing accomodations and getting him integrated into the city. He should have no problem fitting in here.
If Robin's enthusiasm for basketball and life in general translate over into basketball skills, I don't think fans should doubt anything about his ability to fit in on the Suns team either. He's sure to be a fan favorite by the end of the upcoming season.
What are your thoughts about Lopez as the Suns' draft pick? Is there anything you would like me to ask him the next time I speak with him? Feel free to leave comments below or e-mail your questions to blog@suns.com.
Comments
Jonathan - Az
Ok we got a back up center like we needed... Now it is time for a back up pg..
Monta Ellis should be sought after with no ending other than a suns jersey on his back. Do whatever is necessary to get him! He would be a great fit to learn under Nash until he is done, and still can help out RIGHT NOW!
And Back to Lopez...
I enjoy the type of heart he brings to the table and I hope he can bring that type of skill! Now I know that he is a defensive player, but that is what we have in Brian Skinner... So Robin step it up and suprise the nation with some offense!!
Endkas - NY
Great Picks.
Go get Dragic and bring him to the Valley of the Sun!! He belongs there. He must come ASAP!
Gordon Green - Orange, CA via Phoenix
Could you ask Robin what he plans on doing after basketball and how he plans to leverage his time in the NBA to achieve that goal? I think if a guy can give you a good definitive goal and develop a process that works toward achieving that goal that says a lot of a persons character and their problem solving abilities. He obviously knows basketball won't last forever, so he's got to have plans - I want to see how he thinks.
Russel - Port Pirie, South Australia
PLEASE ask Robin to cut his hair. Last season was bad enough with Skinner's beard. And also, get him to work on his offense. So he can block shots. Anyone who's 7'0" should be able to do that. Get him to work on his post moves. Make him a threat on the offensive end. Thanks.
John Allen Chua - Malabon,Philippines
WOW!! the suns are a strong team now but they need a back up PG jonathan's right GET ELLIS!!
jeff - Prescott valley
I think that robin should come out in his first game with a take no prisoners type of attitude. When he gets the oppurtunity to play against stars such as duncan,oden,chandler,garnett,bynum and any other highly rated power forward or center, he must be aggressive and physical from start to finish. It's okay to show respect for these players off the court and before and after the game,when the game starts it should be like flipping a switch and he needs to view them like an ordinary player or someone out to embarass him on the court.So I hope he takes this to heart and goes out there and locks them up defensively. Robin,this is your arena and you are the suns franchise center. These players may be labeled as all-stars but they are not more skilled than you. They are not bigger,stronger or faster. Show them who owns the paint when they come to phoenix.
d train - highland utah
monta ellis is a great call. Plus he won't be able to murder us anymore. That guy torches phx everytime we play golden state.
Mo - Somewhere
We really needed some D cuz shaq and amare got into foul trouble easily, so if Lopez can be better than skinner, suns can look to trade skinner. I wish Dragic cld play wid us thisyear cuz hez had experience, but i dont think GW will be willing to part with Ellis with anything less than Barbosa or Diaw. Maybe if suns offered Barbosa and Skinner... GS needs a strong defender, but i dunno if it works with the salary cap. But essentially, we picked a gr8 guy for us...surprise us Lopez!
John - Phoenix
Monta Ellis is a dumb choice and the suns will never be able to match GS dollar to dollar for him. No one will ever take Diaw cause of his huge salary and lack of talent. Barbosa is tradable and I would like to see him for Corey Maggette from the Clippers(Although if we could get Diaw for him that would be incredible). Suns #1 priority right now is to get Dragic to Phoenix. period. After that we have to find a way to get rid of Diaw who takes up too much valuable cap space and replace him with a strong 2 or 3 that can shoot from beyond the arc.
T shiesse - Florida panhandle
great job kerr u got a real prospect!!!!
now lets trade diaw to get joe johnson back!!!
real hate we traded the two 3 sseasons ago!!!!
robin enjoy the experience, cuz come playoffs ur needed!!!!
Dragic Fund for buyout should be started!!!!
go get him!!!! he cant miss a shoot!
Chad - Phoenix
Trade Diaw and do whatever you can to get Maggette. He is so strong and produces big numbers.
Trey - Santa Maria, CA
I think we could get Dragic over. Since he is a 2nd round choice, there is no rookie pay scale that has to be followed. That means they can pony up the $500,000 allowed to help his buyout, but also put in a decent sized signing bonus to cover the rest of the buyout. I'm not sure if there are regulations that say you can't do that, but it is a thought. I would love to see him in a Suns jersey this season.
Kido's - L.A.
We're excited and can't wait to see Robin play for the Suns! We're very proud of him and he'll do his mother proud. Congrats Robin on being picked by the best team in the NBA! Robin, don't forget to give props to our dad who helped you and Brook alot. And don't forget we remember when you and Brook were toddlers that kept running onto the court with your basketballs..we were taller than you guys back then! ha ha! Good luck, play hard, learn and have fun! - The Girls
Chris - Phx
I agree either maggette or ellis, i think that Kerr has made some strong moves but we need more. We need quys that wont chock in the playoffs thats why we got rid of joe johnson he couldnt handle the playoffs when we had him. I think that a very ballsey move would be to get Elton Brand or Baron Davis as a back up point, Nash can only play so much and he has lost a step or two. having nash and davis as a one two punch at point are you kidding me that would kill other teams. i say to Kerr dont be scared, spend some money and give guys like Nash (who deserves a championship) a chance.
Ajay - Reno
I think our 2nd round pick Dragic should definitely be backup to Steve after watching his talents.
Sarah - IA
No don't trade Diaw did you see how well he did in Game 4 of the past playoffs. He just has to learn to be more aggressive. I definitely think Ellis or Maggette would be a great pick and it would give Nash a break so he could be more rested for the playoffs. Robin is an okay pick but he totally needs to get some offense and stay out of foul trouble. Lets hope our Suns can play some defense this year but still maintain that run-n-gun style that is so enjoyable to watch.
GO SUNS!!!!!!!!!!
Arno - Leuven
nice picks, just what the suns needed, and they both have teammates who can learn them a lot like shaq,amare, steve nash
Vick - Nogales, Az
Work on d suns and U WILL be next seasons champs
Unknown-Phoenix -
congrats r.lopez on being picked by the suns. i hope u can bring some energy to this team.
Bobby - Houston
We can't get Davis, Ellis, or Magette. Those guys probably want starter positions; Davis and Ellis definitely. We don't have starter positions to give.
Maxine Kuykendall - Mesa,Arizona
I was so excited to see the Suns add Robin to their roster. During the College playoffs, which I watch ever so close, I watched the Lopez twins play and I immediately sent Kerr (one of probably 1000 other e mails from fans)I ask Steve to please look at the Lopez twins in the draft, not knowing that he was already looking at them. Made me feel good that at least I could see a little of what Steve Kerr was watching. Just wish we could get a trade from the Nets, would love to have his brother here as well, that would be good Media attention. How well I know, as an older sibling of twins that have been successful in the game of Basketball/Coaching. Fans would really get on board if the Suns could capture the other half of the Lopez Twins, we all like to have something that is different and that would be a Media drawing event.
Josh - IN
Robin looks like a great talent. Im hoping our new coach will get the younger players into the rotation. Robin please work on your offense game so that you can be a beast down low. Trade Boris!!! He has been good only a few times in the past seasons. Cut him lose. We should put forth a real effort to bring Dragic over now. The more time he has learning under Nash the better.
jeff - Prescott valley
I think the potential signing of lue would be solid and help nash.I know the clips renounced the rights to shaun livingston thinking there is too much risk involved with him,maybe the suns should call and make an offer like they did with o,neal and hill. Livingston was a top 4 pick and despite his injury has great talent and skill. We are deep enough at the point when lue signs to take a chance on him. I have faith that with our medical staff (which is vastly better than the clippers that he could eventually make a complete recovery. He might be an excellent value and low risk as our tenth or eleventh man besides,he deserves another chance to prove himself and it would show future free agents we care about a player's future. Otherwise we could sign him to eventually backup dragic.
gezza - melb
i think that suns should trade 4 nathan jawai from austrlia because he would learn so much from shaq because he has much the same body frame(tall & thick) he is also a tremdous rebounder and shot blocker and if shaq teaches him stuff he will become an amazing force in the L. Suns should hire shaq wehn he retires cause he would bring a great influnce and meidea attention to the suns and teach loads of stuff
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