Chicago Bulls: Who is trending up, trending down amidst preseason
By Ryan Heckman
Trending Down: Center Robin Lopez
Prior to the team’s fourth preseason game against Indiana, Robin Lopez wasn’t doing himself any favors. His stock was already on the downfall.
Actually, his stock was trending down ever since the Bulls drafted Wendell Carter Jr. earlier in the year, but that’s already an obvious reason why.
Not to say Lopez is a bad player, but he’s no longer starting quality with a guy like Carter on the roster. Lopez could definitely bring some energy off the bench, which I think is where he’ll ultimately find himself sooner than later. As a matter of fact, it was Carter who got the start against the Pacers, and Lopez who came off the bench.
This trend might continue, and it would be for the betterment of the team.
Read. Bulls: Where every starter can improve in 2018-2019. light
Wednesday night, here was Lopez’s line: 21 minutes played, zero points on 0-for-4 shooting, four rebounds, zero assists, zero steals and zero blocks. I wouldn’t necessarily call that effective in any realm of the game.
In four preseason games, Lopez has scored two points on three occasions while being held scoreless in his fourth. That’s a total of six points — on 3-for-17 shooting — in four preseason contests.
I believe it is safe to say Lopez may have found a permanent home on the bench, and for many good reasons.