Brook Lopez Signs with the Los Angeles Clippers
Brook Lopez, a native of Southern California, is enthusiastic about his recent signing with the Los Angeles Clippers on a two-year deal worth almost $18 million, which he announced during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Lopez reflected on the Clippers’ remarkable transformation from a once-struggling team to a powerhouse with a record of 14 straight winning seasons, the longest active streak in the NBA.
“It’s incredible to witness the growth of this franchise. I grew up in North Hollywood, and things were quite bleak for the Clippers back then. Seeing their current success is astonishing and I’m excited to be part of it and contribute to their ascent,” Lopez shared with reporters.
Clippers’ Transformation and Lopez’s Journey
Lopez, who was born in 1988, recalls that during his first 25 years, the Clippers held the record for the worst performance in the league. In the last 12 seasons, however, they’ve improved dramatically, now boasting the second-best record in the NBA, only trailing the Golden State Warriors. The franchise’s latest upgrades include the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome, star players like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, as well as a championship-winning coach, Tyronn Lue, and dedicated owner, Steve Ballmer.
Adding a personal touch to his professional journey, Lopez highlighted the return of Lawrence Frank, who was his first NBA coach with the New Jersey Nets, calling it a “full-circle moment.”
Lopez’s Role with the Clippers
Coming back to Los Angeles, where he briefly played for the Lakers in the 2017-18 season, Lopez joins the Clippers after a successful seven-year tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he helped the team capture an NBA title. Throughout his extensive career, Lopez has consistently been a starting player and brings an impressive career average of 15.9 points per game. With the Clippers featuring a strong defensive lineup, including Ivica Zubac, Lopez anticipates adjusting his role to complement his teammates effectively.
“I think we can be an imposing presence on defense and solidify our hold in the paint together,” he said. “On the offensive end, we’ll work well to create space for each other.”
Excitement for the Future
Another exciting aspect for Lopez is the proximity to Disney, a place he deeply enjoys, but he primarily feels exhilarated about joining a competitive team he believes can vie for a championship.
“It’s not solely about the money for me. From a young age, I have loved playing basketball—watching my brothers and being involved in the sport. Winning excites me, and I experienced that in Milwaukee. I see that winning mentality here, which makes this opportunity a perfect match for me,” he concluded.
