News: Entering the season, Hornets center Robin Lopez had never established himself as a consistently useful full-time player, but he ended up being an anchor for a young Hornets team. Lopez was the only player on the team to appear in all 82 games, and he was the starting center every time out. Lopez established new career highs across the board, putting up 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game. He played 2,136 total minutes, after never topping the 1,000-minute mark in his first four seasons.
Analysis: Lopez was never the most flashy option you could plug into the starting lineup for Fantasy purposes, as he finished just 36th among center-eligible players in Fantasy scoring per game. He made up for his lack of upside by simply being present, as his ranking shoots all the way up to 26th in total scoring. Lopez will never win you a Fantasy championship, but he appears to have found something good in New Orleans. He is worth targeting in the later rounds, as a dependable Fantasy reserve on Draft Day.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez enjoyed another solid performance as he picked up his sixth double-double of the season Friday night against the Grizzlies. Lopez went 9 of 12 shooting from the field and 5 of 7 from the free throw line. He finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots in a 90-83 victory.
Analysis: Lopez had been held to single-digit scoring in the last two games before his doubling up against the Grizzlies Friday. He is now averaging just 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in the last three games. Lopez continues to be one of the more frustrating big men in all of Fantasy as he just can't seem to put together any long stretches of productivity. Fantasy owners should view him as a viable low-end option in most formats heading into Week 23 (March 25-31).
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez turned in another underwhelming stat line during Friday's contest against the Wizards. Lopez finished with just six points in the 96-87 defeat on 3 of 4 shooting from the field. He also added two rebounds and two assists to his stat line, while logging 26 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Lopez continues to be one of the more frustrating big men in all of Fantasy as he just can't seem to put together any long stretches of productivity. The 24-year-old has now failed to score in double figures in five of his last eight games and he is averaging 8.6 points and 4.6 rebounds over that span. Still, with center being such a thin position, owners can continue to roll with Lopez as a viable low-end option.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez shot poorly on Wednesday during a loss to the Lakers. Lopez went just 4 for 13 from the field to score 13 points. He grabbed 11 rebounds for the double-double and added two blocks. Lopez played 40 minutes and added a steal for New Orleans.
Analysis: Lopez didn't shoot well Wednesday but he boarded better than we've seen. Lopez doesn't consistently play at a high level for a Fantasy center, but he does enough to be active in most deeper Fantasy formats at a thin position.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez did not have one of his better shooting nights during Wednesday's blowout loss to the Thunder. Lopez connected on just two of his 10 field-goal attempts in the 119-74 defeat and finished with seven points. He did make three of his four free-throw attempts, but only added three blocks and two rebounds to his stat line, while logging 31 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Lopez has been a bit erratic following the All-Star break. He has failed to score in double figures in three of his last six games and is averaging 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds over that span on 44 percent shooting from the field. While the 24-year-old is in the midst of putting together his most productive season as a pro, Lopez still turns in too many stinkers -- even at the thin center position. Consider him more of a low-end option in deeper formats at this point in the year.
News: After scoring a combined six points over the previous two contests, Hornets center Robin Lopez made the most of his playing time on Wednesday night against the Cavaliers. He scored 15 points while playing 16 minutes in the 105-100 loss. He went 5 for 9 from the field and made 5 of 6 free throws. Lopez also hauled in three rebounds before fouling out.
Analysis: Lopez has enjoyed a career campaign in his first season in New Orleans and had been scoring more before slumping around the All-Star break. He averaged 11.5 points with 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in the first half on 56 percent shooting. At a thin position in Fantasy, Lopez is worth owning in deeper formats at this point.
News: New Orleans center Robin Lopez opened the second half of the NBA season Tuesday with an awful effort against the Bulls. Lopez played 21 minutes but it was almost as if he barely was on the floor. He scored just one point on 0 for 1 shooting as he went 1 for 2 from the line. He grabbed just four rebounds and added two blocks and an assist in the low-key performance.
Analysis: Lopez can be susceptible to games like Tuesday's, though he had scored at least 17 points with eight rebounds in three of his previous five games. We expect he'll turn it around going forward, but can sometimes have poor games. Lopez is not a very good rebounder for his position on the basketball court, so his Fantasy value remains lower than the elite centers in the NBA.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez led his team in scoring on Sunday night against the Raptors. He finished with 19 points and hauled in four rebounds. Lopez also blocked a shot in the 102-89 loss. He went 7 for 13 from the field and made 5 of 8 free throws while playing 27 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez has enjoyed the best campaign of his career in his first season in New Orleans and has given the Hornets some stability at center. He is averaging 15.2 points with 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in the previous five contests on 66 percent shooting. Owners in need of some help at a thin position in Fantasy should consider adding Lopez heading into Week 16 (Feb. 11-17).
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez got some payback against his former team on Wednesday night against the Suns. Lopez helped defeat Phoenix as he scored 11 points with eight rebounds and two blocked shots. He played 29 minutes and was 5 for 7 from the field. He was active around the basket and contributed a number of put backs. Lopez added an assist and a steal.
Analysis: Lopez is shooting almost 67 percent from the field over his last five games so it is no wonder he's picked up his production over that stretch. He's averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over that five-game period and those all either equal or better his season's averages. Lopez can be active in most Fantasy formats as he plays a very thin position in Fantasy.
News: Utah center Al Jefferson had his hands full Wednesday vs. New Orleans with Robin Lopez, who finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. "Lopez is a big dude," Jefferson said. "I'm glad his brother is not in the Western Conference because I couldn't deal with both of them. He's just a physical big guy. It will always be a battle with me and him because he [will] do the little things. He's going to beat you on the boards. He's going to defend well."
Analysis: Lopez has played pretty well the last two games for the Hornets. He is averaging 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in those contests, while shooting 59 percent (13 of 22) from the field. Though, we have seen Lopez do this before this season. As soon as it appears he is going to go on a long breakout run, his production starts to dip again. Despite his recent two-game run, he averaged just 9.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in January. Lopez remains more of a low-end Fantasy option until 15.5 points and 9.0 rebounds become the norm.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez enjoyed productive game on the boards and defensive side of the court, but was a non-factor offensively against the Grizzlies Sunday afternoon. Lopez went 3 of 6 shooting from the field as he finished with just eight points and six rebounds while logging 17 minutes of game action in a 91-83 victory.
Analysis: Lopez has been held to single-digit scoring in each of his last five games while averaging 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game over that stretch. Lopez, who is normally averaging around 25 minutes per game, has seen his playing time go down as of late and is only averaging 19.2 minutes per game over that five-game span. opez is still too inconsistent to trust in shallow Fantasy formats and should be viewed as a low-end option in deeper leagues heading into Week 14 (Jan. 28-Feb. 3).
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez recorded nine points and five rebounds during New Orleans' 114-105 win over Sacramento on Monday. Lopez, who was held without a rebound during his previous game for the first time since March 8, 2012, grabbed four of his boards on the offensive glass. He connected on just 4 of his 9 field-goal attempts to finish with single-digits in points for the fourth time over the past six games.
Analysis: Lopez saw a slight increase in playing time Monday as his 27 minutes represented his highest total over the past four outings. However, he was unable to chip away at his recent cold shooting performance as he continues to average less than 10 points per game during the month of January. Lopez is still too inconsistent to trust in shallow Fantasy formats and should be viewed as a low-end option in deeper leagues.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez was held to single-digit scoring during Tuesday's contest against the 76ers. Lopez went 4 of 9 shooting from the field and finished with just eight points and five rebounds in a 111-99 victory. He also contributed with three blocked shots while logging 23 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Lopez sat out the entire fourth quarter once the game was well out of hand, which may have hurt some Fantasy owners Tuesday. He has only scored in double figures twice in the last six contests, averaging 8.8 points and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 51.0 percent from the field over that span. Lopez has only doubled up twice this season and does not crash the boards at a consistent rate, making him a low-end option in most formats moving forward.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez was in double figures in scoring Wednesday night as New Orleans pulled a win over the Rockets. Lopez was 6 for 9 from the field over his 22 minutes as he scored 14 points and blocked two shots. Lopez grabbed just three rebounds in the game and added a steal.
Analysis: Lopez has shot 10 for 15 in his last two games and is averaging 10.6 PPG over his last five. Unfortunately, Lopez does not rebound consistently enough for everyday Fantasy use in most formats. He does block almost two shots per game and that gives him low-end value in deeper formats.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez was able to get back in double figures on Tuesday night against the Hawks after finishing with single-digit points each of his last two times out. He scored 10 points and hauled in five rebounds in the 95-86 loss. He went 5 for 9 from the field. Lopez also posted an assist while playing 26 minutes in the defeat.
Analysis: Lopez averaged 18.2 points with six rebounds and 2.4 blocks during a five-game stretch last week but has seen his production fall off since then. He is putting up just nine points with 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in the last three contests. With Eric Gordon healthy again, the Hornets will not need Lopez to score a ton going forward but based on his value at a thin position in Fantasy, keep the 24-year-old active in deeper formats.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez scored 20-plus points for the third time in the last four games on Wednesday against the Magic. He finished with a season-high 29 points on 9-of-10 shooting in the 97-94 win. Lopez , who went 11 for 2 from the charity stripe, also posted three rebounds and three blocks while playing 33 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez has picked up his scoring in his first season in New Orleans and has made owners take notice of late. He is averaging 18.2 points with six rebounds and 2.4 blocks in the previous five contests, all while shooting 70 percent from the field over that span. After years of underachieving in Phoenix, the 24-year-old is finally looking like a reliable option in Fantasy so consider adding Lopez in the majority of formats.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez scored in double figures for the second game in a row Friday against the Spurs, as he continues to search for consistency. Lopez shot 5 of 7 from the field in the game, while grabbing six rebounds in 26 minutes in a 99-94 loss. He has scored in double figures in seven of 12 games in the month of December.
Analysis: Lopez is averaging 11.2 points per game in the month of December, despite seeing his minutes fall to 23.5 per game. He is shooting 59.4 percent from the field in the month, but has been unable to string together more than two double-digit scoring games in a row just once. He is adding 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks as well, and can be considered a viable low-end Fantasy starter in deeper formats.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez failed to make much of an impact as he had another quiet performance during Wednesday's contest against the Thunder. Lopez was held to just six points and eight rebounds in a 92-88 defeat. He went 3 of 8 shooting from the field and failed to reach the free throw line. He also added four blocks and an assist in 20 minutes as the starter.
Analysis: Though Lopez earned the start, he is still losing minutes to Anthony Davis off the bench, who is working his way back from injury. Lopez has been extremely inconsistent this season and has had three games of 15-plus points already this month. That said, he is still averaging 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in his last four games, though he's only reached double figures once in that span. Fantasy owners should view him as a viable low-end starting Fantasy option at a thin center position.
News: New Orleans center Robin Lopez only managed four rebounds but did his damage on the offense end Monday in a blowout win over Milwaukee. Lopez played 23 minutes and went 8 of 10 from the field to score 21 points. He added two steals and a block for the Hornets.
Analysis: Lopez hasn't seen double digits in rebounds in a while and Fantasy owners just have to understand he's not going to give you high-level production as a center in that regard. Still, Lopez is consistent at what he does and remains a solid option in deeper Fantasy leagues.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez scored in double figures for the third time in five games Wednesday, in a 96-84 loss to the Jazz. Lopez scored 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting, while adding seven rebounds and three turnovers in 29 minutes. This is the seventh time in 14 games that he has scored in double figures.
Analysis: After averaging just 5.4 points per game a year ago with Phoenix, Lopez is seeing a much bigger role with New Orleans. He is averaging 11.1 points and 5.6 points per game, both of which represent new career highs. He also has 2.0 blocks per game. At this point, Lopez should be considered a viable low-end starting Fantasy option at the center position.
News: Hornets center Robin Lopez scored 21 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and swatted four shots in Wednesday's overtime loss at Indiana. That said, Lopez went just 3 of 17 from the field in the game over 33 minutes. He went 15 of 17 from the line and added two steals. Lopez went 5 for 7 from the field over 17 minutes Tuesday and scored 11 points with only five boards.
Analysis: Lopez has been an enigma this season and can't find any semblance of consistency. One night he scores well and doesn't rebound. The next time out he boards but doesn't score. And sometimes he doesn't get minutes. The fact he's a center is his best quality and Lopez has low-end Fantasy value outside deeper leagues.
News: New Orleans center Robin Lopez continued to struggle Wednesday night during a loss at Houston. Lopez has not scored in double figures in three straight games after dropping just five points on the Rockets. He shot 2 of 5 from the field over 21 minutes and added only one rebound in the game. He contributed a blocked shot and steal as well for the Hornets.
Analysis: Lopez entered Wednesday's game averaging 11 points per game on the year with almost seven rebounds but hasn't scored in double figures in three straight. The blocked shots remain, but Lopez is really just an option for deeper Fantasy formats despite playing a very thin position.
News: New Orleans center Robin Lopez played well on Friday in a win over the Jazz. Lopez scored a team-high-tying 19 points as he led all starters in the game. He shot 9 of 16 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds with a blocked shot over 36 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez struggled in the season opener with just eight points and nine boards. He will be good for a block per game but will struggle to score consistently. We'd like to see him start rebounding better and could see a nice boost in the short term with Anthony Davis dealing with a concussion.
News: The Suns agreed to a three-team deal Wednesday that sent center Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick to New Orleans, with the Timberwolves sending guard Wesley Johnson to Phoenix. The deal included a sign-and-trade for Lopez, though it has been reported that the teams are still trying to sort out all of the various machinations of the trade before it can before official.
Analysis: Lopez took another step back in his fourth season in the league, averaging just 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while shooting just 46.1 percent from the field. He will likely backup rookie Anthony Davis at center, but should be able to see an increase from the 14.0 minutes per game he averaged last season. At this point in his career, he is more of a reserve Fantasy option, so only target him in the late rounds of deep Fantasy drafts.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez was once again not much of a factor during Tuesday night's contest against the Heat. Lopez finished with six points in the 99-95 defeat, on 2 of 7 shooting from the field. He also added four rebounds and one steal to his stat line, while logging 13 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Lopez continues to see around 20 minutes per game, but hasn't been doing much with his minutes of late. The 23-year-old is averaging just 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds over his last 10 contests, which isn't going to help many owners out at this point in the season. Leave Lopez on the waiver wire in the majority of formats.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez is back in coach Alvin Gentry’s doghouse, as Sunday saw him play just five minutes against the Lakers. Lopez missed his only field-goal attempt in the game, but did make two free throws and grab a single rebound in a 102-90 Suns win.
Analysis: Lopez has only received double-digit minutes in one of the team’s last seven games, as the Suns continue to lean heavily on Marcin Gortat. Lopez is averaging just 9.1 minutes per game in the month of February, and isn’t even playing well when he’s on the court, as he is shooting just 33.3 percent from the field in the month. At this point, Lopez is not worthy owning in any Fantasy format.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez had been in his coach's doghouse, but is slowly earning some court time. He failed to sore in his six minutes on Thursday night versus the Rockets, but he had been playing decent ball. Lopez also had just one rebound in Phoenix's 96-89 loss to Houston.
Analysis: Lopez may be out of the doghouse, but he's still not getting a ton of run for the Suns. He's averaging 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game over his last five outings, which is higher than his season averages. He has a lot of work to do though if he wants to be a relevant Fantasy option again. Lopez remains a low-end center option in the deepest of formats.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez served his one-game suspension on Friday night and was eligible to return to the court on Saturday. Coach Alvin Gentry failed to play Lopez on Saturday versus the Grizzlies as the center is now in the doghouse.
Analysis: After scoring 21 points in the season opener, Lopez has tallied just 40 points for the Suns. Fantasy owners should keep Lopez reserved in all formats until he's out of the doghouse or traded. Lopez is averaging 5.2 points with two rebounds and one block in his last five games.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez was suspended by the NBA on Wednesday one game for "improper conduct toward a game official." He will miss Friday's contest against Portland. Lopez is averaging 5.2 points with two rebounds and one block in his last five games.
Analysis: Lopez has been losing playing time because Marcin Gortat has been playing so well and this suspension will not help his Fantasy value either. He has played more than 11 minutes just once in the last six games. Gortat has been a monster at both ends of the court, so Phoenix is riding the hot hand. There is no need to activate Lopez outside of the deepest Fantasy formats once his suspension is over.
News:The Arizona Republic reports Suns center Robin Lopez is seeing his playing time diminish, but it's not because of his own doing. "See, I think Robin has played good minutes," coach Alvin Gentry said. "The problem he has is that (Marcin) Gortat is playing great. Robin has been really aggressive and done some good thing defensively but when look at Gortat's numbers the last four or five games, they've been pretty doggone good. In defense of Robin, he hasn't had a lot of time in there."
Analysis: Lopez only played four minutes Tuesday against Toronto, but that was because he was ejected from the game in the second quarter. Lopez has played more than 11 minutes just once in the last six games. Gortat has been a monster at both ends of the court, so Phoenix is riding the hot hand. There is no need to activate Lopez outside of the deepest Fantasy formats.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez was finally able to make an impact during Tuesday night's contest against the Bulls. Lopez, who was averaging just 4.7 points per game entering the contest, finished with 16 points, on 6 of 7 shooting from the field in the 118-97 defeat. He went a perfect 4 for 4 from the free-throw line and also chipped in with six rebounds and a block, while logging 17 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Lopez got some Fantasy owners excited with his 21-point performance during the first game of the season, but hasn't done much since. He has scored a combined 35 points in the 11 contests that have followed prior to Tuesday night and only logged heavy minutes against Chicago because of the lop sided score. Unless he starts to see an major increase in minutes or production, he should be left on the waiver wire in most formats.
News: Phoenix center Robin Lopez grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds in his 18 minutes on the court on Friday night against Portland. He scored just five points before fouling out. Lopez and the Suns would beat the Trail Blazers 102-77. He added an assist, a steal and a block for Phoenix.
Analysis: Lopez continues to back up Marcin Gortat, but has the potential to carve out minutes in a thin frontcourt. The 23-year-old has been plagued by inconsistency throughout his career and failed to average double-figures in points his first three seasons in the league. His value lies on the defensive end and on the glass. For now, Lopez is a low-end reserve option in deeper Fantasy formats. If something happens to Gortat, look for Lopez to see a boost.
News: Phoenix C Robin Lopez notched four points and five rebounds in 21 minutes of playing time during the Suns' 107-97 loss to Oklahoma City on Saturday night. Lopez attempted only four shots and hit one of the them. It was the second straight game he has managed just one basket after netting an impressive 21 points during Phoenix's season opener against New Orleans. The 7-foot Lopez also recorded his first block of the year.
Analysis: Lopez has been relegated to the bench at the start of the season as fellow C Marcin Gortat has landed a starting job. The 23-year-old has been plagued by inconsistency throughout his career and failed to average double-figures in points his first three seasons in the league. Lopez's minutes will also remain limited as long as Gortat is healthy. Fantasy owners should view Lopez as a low-end reserve in most formats for now.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez, who started 56 games last season as well as the final preseason game for the Suns this year, will be heading back to the bench once the regular season starts. While starter Marcin Gortat did fracture his right thumb in the preseason opener, he said he fully expects to play during Monday’s regular season opener.
Analysis: Lopez’s minutes took a tumble once Gortat took over as the starter in 2010-11, and he averaged just 11.2 minutes per game post-All-Star break. If that trend continues into this season, Lopez will have no Fantasy value. As of now, feel free to look right past Lopez on Draft Day in all formats.
News: With the offseason departure of Amar'e Stoudemire, it was assumed that Phoenix center Robin Lopez would step up and help fill the void. He got his chance, but the 7-footer couldn't ultimately get the job done, and the Suns traded for Marcin Gortat in December. Gortat flourished with the team, and nearly averaged a double-double the rest of the season and he seemed to improve with time. Lopez, on the other hand, digressed from last season's promise. He averaged 6.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game after breaking out for averages of 8.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 2009-10.
Analysis: Lopez is heading into restricted free agency after the 2011-12 season, so he may be on the way out after the emergence of Gortat, who figures to be the center of the future in Phoenix. Lopez not only derailed Suns fan's expectations this season, but he was a disappointment to Fantasy owners as well. Like Hakim Warrick, he was selected in the later rounds in hopes of filling Stoudemire's role to a point. Not only did both big men come up short, but they were not serviceable in even the deeper Fantasy formats at times. Lopez ranked as the 51st-highest scoring center in standard CBSSports.com leagues, in similar company as reserve options like Kurt Thomas and Ben Wallace. Heading into next season, he shouldn't be targeted until the final rounds at best.
News: Phoenix center Robin Lopez played off the bench and finished with just two points in the Suns' 91-83 loss to Dallas on Sunday night. Lopez connected on just 1 of 3 attempts from the field, marking the fifth time this month he has made fewer than two field goals. The 22-year-old also pulled down two rebounds as he played only six minutes -- his second consecutive game under 10 minutes and third time in his last six outings.
Analysis: The increasingly disappointing Lopez was benched in favor of Marcin Gortat against the Mavericks, and it doesn't appear Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry made the wrong decision. Lopez posted single digits in points for the 14th consecutive game Sunday and is averaging a woeful 4.3 points in that stretch. Fantasy owners should take note of his benching and seek other options during the current Fantasy playoffs.
News: Suns coach Alvin Gentry confirmed to The Arizona Republic that Marcin Gortat would play in Sunday's game against Dallas despite suffering a broken nose on Friday. He was also inserted into the starting lineup over Robin Lopez.
Analysis: So Lopez not only misses a chance for added playing time with Gortat avoiding a significant absence, but he also loses his starting job. It doesn't make too much of a difference in Fantasy as Lopez had been a starter in name only. He was averaging just 9.8 minutes over his last five appearances.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez turned in another pedestrian performance in Sunday's 108-99 win over the Clippers. Lopez finished with just one point in the contest, which came from the free-throw line. He missed on both of his field goal attempts, but did manage block two shots and grab a defensive rebound while logging 12 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez continues to start for the Suns, although has only been seeing around 12 minutes a game of late. The addition of Marcin Gortat has really hurt his minutes, which in turn has diminished his already minimal Fantasy value. While the 22-year-old does have some upside, he simply doesn't produce consistently enough to be starting in the majority of Fantasy leagues at this point of the season.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez went head-to-head with his twin brother Brook Lopez during their second annual meeting Monday in New Jersey. Robin scored 14 points in the victory and got the last laugh as the Suns beat the Nets 104-103 in overtime. He went 6 of 8 from the field during the victory and also chipped in with four rebounds and a steal while logging 23 minutes. Lopez is averaging 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds over his last five contests.
Analysis: Lopez continues to start for the Suns, although usually ends up seeing around 18 minutes a game. He continues to lose minutes too Marcin Gortat, which limits his production. While the 22-year-old does have plenty of upside, Fantasy owners should continue to view him as nothing more than a low-end option at this point in the season.
News: Phoenix center Robin Lopez tallied 13 points and 13 rebounds in the Suns' 112-106 loss to Dallas on Thursday night. It was only the second double-double of the season for the 7-footer and first since Phoenix's third game of the season against the Lakers. In fact, Lopez's rebounding output against the Mavericks represented his first game with double digits in boards since that Oct. 29 game. Lopez added two blocks and a steal while playing 25 minutes -- his highest total in the last 19 games.
Analysis: Lopez, the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, improved dramatically from a poor performance in his previous game against Utah when he was held without a rebound for the fourth time this season. The former Stanford standout has remained in the starting lineup despite the limited production for his hulking size. Lopez had four double-doubles last season. He is averaging 7.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this year and should be viewed as an option only in deeper Fantasy leagues after the All-Star break.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez got the start on Friday night against the Jazz and had one of his better scoring performances in awhile. He scored 14 points and hauled in six rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, in the 95-83 win. He went 6 for 13 from the field and converted 2 of 5 free throws while playing 17 minutes. He also chipped in with a blocked shot and an assist in the victory. Marcin Gortat played 31 minutes against Utah and scored 12 points with 10 rebounds.
Analysis: Lopez continues to start for Phoenix but Gortat has been seeing more time off the bench and has been more productive. Lopez is averaging 9.4 points with four rebounds over his last five contests while seeing just over 15 minutes per game. Gortat has been seeing over 28 minutes per contest over that span. Lopez's production has been too sporadic to trust in the majority of Fantasy leagues so as long as he is seeing a reduced role, continue to leave him for the deepest of formats.
News: Phoenix center Robin Lopez might have some competition for his spot in the starting lineup if his play continues to regress. Lopez, who has failed to reach 10 points in his last five games, has a tenuous hold on the starting center position over newcomer Marcin Gortat -- for now. Gortat, who was acquired in a trade from Orlando in late December, has been playing well recently which could force the team to insert him into the starting lineup. Gortat has outscored Lopez in four of Phoenix's last five games and displayed the intimidating post presence the Suns believed they were getting in Lopez when they selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Analysis: Although Lopez is still the starter for Phoenix, his playing time has begun to dwindle and he has not reached 20 minutes in his last six games. Gortat, meanwhile, is posting 25.8 minutes in his last five games and recorded double-doubles in three of those outings. Lopez started Wednesday's game and finished with four points and two rebounds in 15 minutes -- his ninth consecutive game with fewer than six rebounds. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the situation brewing between Lopez and Gortat and prepare to adjust their rosters accordingly. Consider Lopez only in deeper leagues for now.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez is not a finisher for Phoenix, reports the Arizona Republic on Monday. Lopez starts for Phoenix, but played just 14 minutes on Monday in a loss at Philadelphia and rarely plays during crunch time with Marcin Gortat taking those minutes. "It's more Coach just using what's working well for us," Lopez said. "When I was playing better, I was able to get some minutes at the end of the second quarter. Marcin's been playing great. You really can't take him out."
Analysis: Lopez entered Monday's game ranked 70th among 86 NBA centers in rebound rate (9.4 per 48 minutes). Unfortunately for Phoenix, teammate Channing Frye is behind him. "I've been trying to pursue a little more," Lopez said. "My problem isn't necessarily my man getting boards. Some big guys are getting boards, but I'm boxing out. I just need to put a bigger emphasis on pursuing boards." That is pathetic for a guy who stands 7-feet tall. Unfortunately, that is just what you will have to expect with Lopez. He's averaging over 10 points per game of late with 1.2 blocks, but doesn't play more than 22-25 minutes per night. For that, he only has value in deeper Fantasy formats.
News: Phoenix C Robin Lopez played 17 minutes as the starter on Monday in a win over the Knicks. Lopez shared his minutes with Marcin Gortat, who played 16 minutes. Meanwhile, Mickael Pietrus didn't get into the game. Lopez shot 6 for 11 from the field and scored 12 points. Still, he continued to show he's a poor rebounder for a big man with just two on the game. He also had two blocks.
Analysis: Lopez is averaging 2.8 rebounds per game over his last five contests and gets just 3.8 per game on the year. That is pathetic for a guy who stands 7-feet tall. Unfortunately, that is just what you will have to expect with Lopez. He's averaging over 10 points per game of late with 1.2 blocks, but doesn't play more than 22-25 minutes per night. For that, he only has value in deeper Fantasy formats.
News: Phoenix will start big men Channing Frye and Robin Lopez for at least the next 10 games, reports the Arizona Republic on Sunday. This comes according to coach Alvin Gentry. Frye and Lopez will join Steve Nash, Vince Carter and Grant Hill as starters with newcomers Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus coming off the bench.
Analysis: Lopez played just seven minutes in his last game on Friday against the Knicks. He's averaged just 4.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game over his last five. That is going to get better with more minutes, but Lopez only has low-end Fantasy value until he starts performing on the court.
News: It was speculated before Friday's game against New York that Phoenix center Robin Lopez would come off the bench for coach Alvin Gentry. The former starter didn't enter the game until there was 6:43 left in the game. He would make an impact as he and Knicks center Timofey Mozgov would get tangled up, resulting in Mozgov getting ejected. Lopez would stay in the game, but do little with his minutes. He made his lone field goal attempt, finishing with two points. The Suns got blown out by the Knicks, 121-96.
Analysis: Gentry went with a small lineup on Friday and since the Suns traded for Marcin Gortat, Lopez's minutes have dwindled. Over the last five games, Lopez is averaging 4.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in just 11 minutes of action. It seems Lopez is in the doghouse, which means his Fantasy value is falling. Owners should keep an eye on this situation. A lot of things can happen to alter his Fantasy stock, but one just has to be patient. He's just a low-end center option in deeper formats, but now that he could see less playing time it'd be best to bench him.
News: Phoenix center Robin Lopez tallied only four points and three rebounds in the Suns' 92-75 victory over Detroit on Friday night. Lopez connected on just 1 of his four shots and finished with single digits for the third game in a row. Lopez played 13 minutes in Friday's game but made just one shot for the second time in three games.
Analysis: Lopez has struggled to contribute for Phoenix since returning from a 14-game absence with a sprained left knee. He has been a marginal Fantasy play all season and is now averaging just 8.0 points in his last five outings. He will likely stay in the starting lineup as the Suns attempt to focus more on defense but Lopez should remain a low-end Fantasy option at center.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez got the start for the second straight contest on Friday night against the Mavericks after missing the previous 14 games with a sprained left knee. He scored six points and hauled in five rebounds in the 106-91 loss. Lopez, who played 22 minutes, went 2 for 6 from the field and converted 2 of 3 free throws. He also had two blocked shots and two turnovers in the defeat.
Analysis: Scored 12 points in his first game back from injury on Wednesday but had a hard time against a tough Mavericks team on Friday. The Suns missed his defensive presence and rebounding but he has never been much of a scorer. His 4.7 rebounds and over a block a game makes him a viable option in category-based formats, but leave Lopez for the deepest of Fantasy leagues heading into Week 9 (Dec. 20-26).
News: Phoenix center Robin Lopez got the start on Wednesday night against Minnesota. Lopez played in just nine games before injuring his knee. He hadn't played since Nov. 14. He returned to play well over 24 minutes on the floor. Lopez scored 12 points on 4 of 9 shooting and added eight rebounds with a steal.
Analysis: Lopez had been averaging just 17.8 minutes per contest before his injury. That didn't allow him to score much as he averaged 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and a block per game. Fantasy owners can activate him, but the vast majority of owners should give him a week to see how effective he is before inserting him back in those lineups.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Suns C Robin Lopez (knee) will play on Wednesday against Minnesota. He added that he "more than likely" will get the start at center as well. Lopez and center Earl Barron have shared time at first-team center during practices.
Analysis: Lopez only played 17.8 minutes per game in his first nine starts before the injury, but the team is desperate for his size and defense up front and will likely give him a shot at around 20-25 minutes per game once he is up to it. He was averaging 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and a block per game prior to going down over nine contests. Let him return to action and prove healthy and effective again before getting him back active in Fantasy leagues.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Tuesday's practice, the team's third consecutive one, will likely be enough for coach Alvin Gentry to make a decision about whether or not Robin Lopez is ready to return from a Nov. 14 knee injury. Lopez and center Earl Barron have shared time at first-team center during practices.
Analysis: The report also noted that in his first two full practice days back, Lopez looked better than expected. That seems to be the result of Lopez getting strength back in his right leg, which had a pinched nerve from his bulging disk in the spring. Lopez only played 17.8 minutes per game in his first nine starts before the injury, but the team is desperate for his size and defense up front and will likely give him a shot at around 20-25 minutes per game once he is up to it. He was averaging 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and a block per game prior to going down over nine contests. Let him return to action and prove healthy and effective again before getting him back active in Fantasy leagues.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez practiced in full on Sunday for the first time since injuring his left knee, reports The Arizona Republic. Lopez is likely to be available to play, and likely start, Wednesday's game against Minnesota. "It feels OK," Lopez said. "There is no real problem with the knee really. It was good to get back with the guys. I really don't feel like I've missed a step."
Analysis: Lopez could have more explosiveness now that he's ready to return from the knee injury as the time off could have done him a world of good. Coach Alvin Gentry believes Lopez will be ready to play on Wednesday and that is good enough for us. He was averaging 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and a block per game prior to going down over nine contests. Let him return to action and prove healthy and effective again before getting him back active in Fantasy leagues.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Suns C Robin Lopez has begun one-on-one and two-on-two play during his rehabilitation from a knee injury. He could return to full team practices next week. "He's making progress, but he's still a couple weeks away," Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said on Tuesday.
Analysis: Lopez has been participating in shootarounds, but needs to get some practices in before he can play in any games. After Friday's home game, the team will have four off days with three practices and that should help Lopez get back. Lopez was getting only around 15-20 minutes per game and has struggled to put up consistent numbers as a result. He has the ability to put up decent numbers when given the playing time, as he did in the second half of last season, but right now is just not in a situation to help out in even deeper formats.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez, who has been out since Nov. 12 with a sprained left knee, is still at least two weeks away, according to the Arizona Republic, but he was able to take shots for the first time Wednesday. The initial timetable was only 1-2 weeks.
Analysis: Lopez is a starter for the Suns, but he was a modest contributor before getting hurt, only once cracking double digits in points. He can be a good source of rebounds and blocks when getting consistent minutes, but with Channing Frye on the roster, his playing time is up in the air. He's only worth stashing in deeper leagues.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez (knee) is expected to miss more than the original 1-2 weeks of action due to the left knee sprain that occurred on Sunday. Phoenix plans to sign a center to make up for the loss of Lopez for the next few games. The Suns announced that Lopez has a moderate MCL and PCL sprain and will need several weeks to recover.
Analysis: Lopez has done little worth caring about of late with just 3.4 points and 2.0 rebounds over his last five games with 14 minutes per contest. He has the ability to put up decent numbers when given the playing time, as he did in the second half of last season, but right now is just not ina situation to help out in even deeper formats, when healthy.
News: According to The Arizona Republic, Suns C Robin Lopez (knee) thinks that he "will be fine." Lopez sprained his left knee in the second quarter Sunday. "It's a little stiff but I think it'll be OK," Lopez said. "I got a pretty positive checkup on it in the locker room. Lopez was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday in Phoenix.
Analysis: Lopez getting only around 15-20 minutes per game and has struggled to put up consistent numbers as a result. He has the ability to put up decent numbers when given the playing time, as he did in the second half of last season, but right now is just not ina situation to help out in even deeper formats.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez sprained his left knee and didn't return for the second half od Sunday's 121-116 win over the Lakers. Lopez played just six minutes in the contest and did not score. He finished with just one block.
Analysis: There is no timetable for Lopez's injury, so Fantasy owners may want to leave him on the bench heading into Fantasy Week 4 (Nov. 15-21). Lopez has the ability to post a double-double every night, but has been extremely inconsistent this season. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor his status over the next few days to see when he will get back on the court.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds over 32 minutes to end October. Since November began four games ago, he hasn't been out of single digits in scoring or rebounding. On Monday at Memphis, Lopez shot just 1 of 4 and scored two points. He added two rebounds and two blocks over 14 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez is averaging just 18 minutes per game over his last five and one of those was the 32-minute performance. Lopez clearly has the ability to post a double-double per night, but the Suns do not give him that much time on the floor usually. Until his production becomes consistently closer to the double-double per night, Lopez will have just lower-end Fantasy value as a center.
News: Phoenix C Robin Lopez has been anything but consistent this season. Lopez, who totaled nine points and 11 boards in his first two games, dropped 18 and 14 on the Lakers in the game before Wednesday's tilt against the Spurs. On Wednesday, however, he was back to mediocre production with four points and three boards over just 12 minutes. Lopez struggled with his shot as he went just 1 for 6 from the field and he barely played after halftime.
Analysis: Lopez has been a model of inconsistency in the early part of the year. He showed a flash of brilliance against the Lakers but has been mediocre in every other performance. He took 18 shots against Los Angeles and has a total of 15 shots taken in his other three games. He's still averaging 7.8 points and 7.0 rebounds with 1.3 blocks per game. As long as the averages remain in that realm, he's worth using as a Fantasy center in a large amount of formats. Still, he shouldn't tease with great production if he can't do it a little more consistently.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez has his most productive game of the young season on Friday night against the Lakers. He scored 18 points and collected 14 rebounds in 32 minutes, earning his first double-double of the campaign. Lopez went 9 for 18 from the field and also had a blocked shot in the 114-106 loss.
Analysis: Lopez was unimpressive in the first two games this season but broke out on Friday night against the defending champs. He will be expected to pick up some of the void in scoring and rebound left by the departure of Amar'e Stoudemire. While Lopez has shown in the past that he is capable of producing in spurts, he has been very inconsistent over his young career, which limits his Fantasy value. Consider him a valuable reserve in most formats whose value could increase as the season progresses.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez didn't do much in Tuesday's season opener against the Blazers. Lopez had just five points on 2 of 4 shooting from the field in 25 minutes. He did grab five rebounds and added a block in the 106-92 loss.
Analysis: Lopez got the start at center Tuesday, but wasn't very impressive. He had his moments last season, however, isn't a player who is going to blow you away with his stat sheet. Lopez can be a viable source for rebounds and blocks, but his lack of scoring makes him just a No. 3 Fantasy center.
News: The Suns exercised their option on C Robin Lopez on Thursday. Lopez had a double-double in his last game Wednesday against the Warriors and is averaging 9.4 points and 5.0 rebounds in seven games this preseason.
Analysis: Lopez figures to start for the Suns this season. He had his moments last season but had settled in as a No. 3 Fantasy C by the end of the year. He's just a modest contributor of blocks and rebounds, so you wouldn't want to target him before the late rounds on Draft Day.
News: Phoenix center Robin Lopez made 4 of his 6 shots from the field and finished with nine points in his 13 minutes of action. He added five boards and two blocked shots.
Analysis: Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks last year for Phoenix. The second-year player should put up some nice numbers this year as he is one of the bigger guys on the frontcourt. Fantasy owners should target him in the later rounds on Draft Day this year.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez did not show any signs of back problems in Tuesday's preseason opener against the Kings. Lopez had 15 points on 6 of 10 shooting and six rebounds in the 109-95 loss. He also had two steals and made three of his four free-throws.
Analysis: In 31 starts last year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. He is expected to have a significant role this season right out of the gate with the departure of Amare Stoudemire and can be considered a solid late-round sleeper as a No. 3 center with mild upside.
News:The Arizona Republic reports that Suns coach Alvin Gentry told reporters that F/C Robin Lopez is close to full strength. A minor back injury forced him off of the Team USA roster for the FIBA World Championship. "I would say he's not back 100 percent but I think he's pretty close to being back," said Gentry.
Analysis: In 31 starts last year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. He is expected to have a significant role this season right out of the gate and is a solid late-round sleeper as a No. 3 center with mild upside.
News: Suns forward Robin Lopez started at center Monday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers and scored 14 points in his playoff debut. He also pulled down six rebounds in 24 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez should be fine for the rest of the playoffs barring a setback. We like Lopez as a low-end Fantasy option heading into 2010-11, but continue to monitor his progress the rest of the playoffs and what happens this offseason. In 31 starts this year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. He can be useful in deeper leagues next season.
News: The official team website of the Suns reports forward Robin Lopez is expected to return for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals at the Lakers on Monday. Lopez has been out with a bulging disk in his back since March 26 and has missed the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Analysis: Lopez will be needed against the Lakers and their frontcourt of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Keep an eye on Lopez and hope he can return at 100 percent. We like Lopez as a low-end Fantasy option heading into 2010-11, but continue to monitor his progress the rest of the playoffs and what happens this offseason. In 31 starts this year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. He can be useful in deeper leagues next season.
News: The Arizona Republic reports Suns center Robin Lopez should return for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers. Lopez would have probably already returned to action if the San Antonio series had lasted any longer than it did. But the Suns gave themselves a break with the week between series providing several days of full-court scrimmages to help Lopez's conditioning, his lone remaining vulnerability since going out with a bulging disk after March 26. "He's crucial to this series because of his length and size," Suns forward Jared Dudley said. "He's looked good out there."
Analysis: Barring an unforeseen setback, Lopez will start Game 1 on Monday. He will be needed against the Lakers and their frontcourt of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Keep an eye on Lopez and hope he can return at 100 percent. We like Lopez as a low-end Fantasy option heading into 2010-11, but continue to monitor his progress the rest of the playoffs and what happens this offseason.
News: The Arizona Republic reports Suns coach Alvin Gentry expects forward Robin Lopez to be ready for the start of the Western Conference finals against the Lakers. Lopez has missed the entire postseason so far with a back injury. Gentry said if Lopez does play against the Lakers there is a good chance he will start.
Analysis: Lopez will be needed against the Lakers and their frontcourt of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Keep an eye on Lopez and hope he can return at 100 percent. We like Lopez as a low-end Fantasy option heading into 2010-11, but continue to monitor his progress the rest of the playoffs and what happens this offseason. In 31 starts this year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. He can be useful in deeper leagues next season.
News: Phoenix PF Robin Lopez (back) hopes to play at some point in the Western Conference semifinal series against the Spurs. It just didn't happen in Game 2 on Wednesday. Lopez remained out and is day to day. Suns coach Alvin Gentry says Lopez will travel with the team to San Antonio for Game 3 but there is no timetable on when he might appear in a game.
Analysis: We like Lopez as a low-end Fantasy option heading into 2010-11, but continue to monitor his progress the rest of the playoffs and what happens this offseason. In 31 starts this year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. He can be useful in deeper leagues next season.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Suns forward Robin Lopez missed Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio on Monday. The bulging disk in his back pinched a nerve that makes his right leg weak. Lopez said he still expects to play in the series against the Spurs.
Analysis: We like Lopez as a low-end Fantasy option heading into 2010-11, but continue to monitor his progress the rest of the playoffs and what happens this offseason. In 31 starts this year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. He can be useful in deeper leagues next season.
News: The Arizona Republic reports Suns forward Robin Lopez has been upgraded to questionable for Monday's first game of the Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio. Coach Alvin Gentry said Sunday that Lopez, who hasn't played since March 26 because of a bad back, was "making progress, baby steps." Asked if Lopez would play at all, Gentry didn't commit: "Maybe. Who knows? We'll have to wait and see how he is."
Analysis: In 31 starts this year, Lopez averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 24.5 minutes. The Suns went 22-9 in those contests. We like Lopez as a low-end Fantasy option heading into 2010-11, but continue to monitor his progress the rest of the playoffs and what happens this offseason.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez, out with a back injury, was re-evaluated by a specialist on Monday, and has been cleared for increased basketball activity. However, there is no word on when he might return to play.
Analysis: Lopez entered the season completely off Fantasy radars, but he managed to earn a fair amount of value in standard leagues that require starting two centers after beating out Channing Frye for the starting center job. He split minutes pretty evenly with Frye, but the rotation was based upon matchups -- with Lopez getting the majority of the minutes when the team wanted to play big and Frye getting the minutes when the team wanted to run or play small. Lopez will enter the 2010-11 regular season ans a potential reserve center, to be drafted in the late rounds.
News: According to NBA.com, Suns F/C Robin Lopez has been ruled out for the team's first-round playoff series against Portland. He continues to deal with a bulging disc in his back that has kept him out of action since March 26.
Analysis: Lopez may not play at all during the playoffs and is expected to be re-evaluated in a week. He entered the season completely off Fantasy radars, but he managed to earn a fair amount of value in standard leaues that require starting two centers after beating out Channing Frye for the starting center job. He split minutes pretty evenly with Frye, but the rotation was based upon matchups -- with Lopez getting the majority of the minutes when the team wanted to play big and Frye getting the minutes when the team wanted to run or play small. Lopez will enter the 2010-11 regular season ans a potential reserve center, to be drafted in the late rounds.
News: Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez remains sidelined with a back injury and the chances of him returning for the playoffs are diminishing. The 7-footer, out with a bulging disk, was examined by a specialist on Monday. The team released a statement saying that he did not get an epidural injection, is progressing well and was to be re-evaluated in a week. General manager Steve Kerr says the team is proceeding without him and is "not expecting anything." As Kerr put it, "It's really up in the air."
Analysis: Lopez had some spurts during the season that showed he was capable of providing some Fantasy value. However, he was inconsistent with his minutes and averaged just over eight points on the season. Fantasy owners in deeper leagues could have used him as a cheap source of rebounds but he was a low-end No. 2 Fantasy center, at best. Consider him a late-round draft pick on Draft Day.
News: Injured Suns C Robin Lopez (bulging disk) will be re-evaluated by a specialist on Monday. The team has already ruled him out for the season.
Analysis: Lopez was a starter for a stretch this season and was a decent source of points and rebounds in the role, but he had become at best a No. 3 Fantasy C in recent weeks. His role for next year is uncertain, but he'll likely be a late-rounder at best on Draft Day.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez said on Wednesday that there is no timetable for his return from a back injury. He says the bulging disk is to be re-evaluated by doctors next week. He's missed Phoenix's last five games.
Analysis: Lopez may have played his last regular season game. He is not likely to help Fantasy owners for the remainder of the regular season and should not be owned in most formats at this time.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez did not play in Wednesday's game against the Spurs due to bulging disks in his back. He's missed Phoenix's last five games.
Analysis: Lopez had emerged as a viable No. 2 center in larger leagues, but it's unlikely the Suns will play him before the postseason unless he is 100 percent. Continue to monitor his status in daily formats.
News: According to The Arizona Republic, Suns F/C Robin Lopez is expected to meet with a back specialist Sunday in Phoenix to determine a course of action after learning Saturday that he has two bulging disks. Lopez will not play at all on the team's five-game road trip. The Suns will start Jarron Collins in Lopez's place.
Analysis: According to the report, this type of injury does not bode well for a regular-season return and maybe even a postseason return. Lopez earned his way into the starting lineup and was splitting the primary center role with Channing Frye. He had emerged as a viable No. 2 center in larger leagues, but now is a player to avoid. Collins will start, but will be mainly a placeholder in the starting lineup. Frye will have a chance to increase his Fantasy appeal in the final couple of weeks of the season.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez did not accompany the team Saturday when it left for a five-game road trip because of a back injury. General manager Steve Kerr says an MRI exam revealed a bulging disk, and the 7-footer will see a back specialist Monday. Lopez has been bothered by back spasms the last few days. He will not rejoin the team at least until tests results return.
Analysis: This development shouldn't cause Fantasy owners too much grief, as Lopez has averaged a meager 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game this month. His Fantasy value lies in the deepest of leagues, but he should be reserved at this time.
News: Suns PF Robin Lopez played 22 minutes against the Knicks on Friday despite being bothered by back spasms the past few days. He started, and shot 6 of 11 from the field, finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Analysis: Lopez is likely glad to see March coming to an end, as he's averaged a meager 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds a game this month. His Fantasy value lies in the deepest of leagues.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez has missed the team's last two practices due to back spasms, but was able to do a full shootaround Friday morning and will be in the starting lineup against the Knicks Friday night, according to The Arizona Republic.
Analysis: The report also hinted that playing against the Knicks might mean the team chooses to go small, which would mean more Channing Frye and less Lopez. Keep that in mind if you are making a decision in a daily lineup league. Lopez splits time with Frye at the center position and their minutes fluctuate depending on what they want to do based on matchups.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez played just 13 minutes in Monday's game at Golden State. He finished with six points and six rebounds. Channing Frye played 18 minutes off the bench and managed 11 points with five rebounds.
Analysis: Lopez and Frye continue to split minutes at the center spot, causing both players to be highly inconsistent. Both players are capable of solid stat lines on any given night, but are just as likely (to turn in a clunker. View them as no more than Fantasy stopgaps.
News: Suns F Robin Lopez had four points and three rebounds in 17 minutes of action Sunday against Portland. He had scored 19 points with 10 rebounds in his previous game against Utah.
Analysis: Lopez continues to be highly inconsistent, along with his playing time. The Cavaliers play the matchups with Channing Frye and Lopez offering different things. Lopez offers size and Frye offers good perimeter play. Expect consistent inconsistency, but there will be enough out of Lopez to be useful as a low-end No. 2 center in most standard leagues.
News: According to the team's official Web site, Suns C Channing Frye has been suspended for one game for an altercation that occurred during Saturday's game against Indiana. He will miss Friday's game against the Lakers and will be eligible to return Sunday against New Orleans. Robin Lopez will likely see a boost in minutes against the Lakers.
Analysis: Frye was not activated in many leagues going into Fantasy Week 20 (March 8-14) anyway because the Suns played just two games. Despite coming off the bench, Frye retains appeal as a possible No. 2 center option in deeper leagues thanks to his three-point shooting and the ability to crack double figures on a pretty regular basis. Lopez was also not activated in very many leagues, but could be a sleeper for a good game in daily lineup formats against the Lakers thanks to the added playing time.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez had 10 points with seven rebounds, two blocks and an assist Thursday night against Utah. He had scored in single digits in his previous three games.
Analysis: Lopez is a very inconsistent player, which makes him a bit of a headache in Fantasy. But if you view him as what he really is -- a No. 2/3 center -- then you can make the most of it when he is playing well. Keep in mind the matchups when choosing whether or not to start Lopez. He will see more minutes against teams the Suns need to play big against and Channing Frye will see more minutes when the team plays smaller and wants to run more.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez had just five points and four rebounds in Wednesday's game against the Clippers. He has scored a combined 16 points with 16 rebounds in his last three games.
Analysis: Lopez is a very inconsistent player, which makes him a bit of a headache in Fantasy. But if you view him as what he really is -- a No. 2/3 center -- then you can make the most of it when he is playing well. Keep in mind the matchups when choosing whether or not to start Lopez. He will see more minutes against teams the Suns need to play big against and Channing Frye will see more minutes when the team plays smaller and wants to run more.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez had three points with four rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes of action Monday against Denver. He has been held to single digits in scoring in three of his last five games.
Analysis: Lopez is a very inconsistent player, which makes him a bit of a headache in Fantasy. But if you view him as what he really is -- a No. 2/3 center -- then you can make the most of it when he is playing well. The Suns went to Channing Frye more on Monday as he had the hotter hand and gave them a better matchup against a running Nuggets team. Keep in mind the matchups when choosing whether or not to start Lopez. He will see more minutes against teams the Suns need to play big against and Frye will see more minutes when the team plays smaller and wants to run more.
News: Suns F/C Robin Lopez had eight points with eight rebounds in Sunday's game against the Spurs. He had posted a career-best 30 points with 12 rebounds in his previous game against the Clippers.
Analysis: Lopez came back down to earth, but he remains a viable No. 2 center. He is averaging 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds over his last five games and while he is not the most consistent of venters, he remains a good start for weeks when the Suns face favorable matchups or four-game weeks in cumulative formats.
News:Robin Lopez went to the free throw line two points from tying the family's single-game scoring mark. He didn't get it, but his career-best 30 points and 12 rebounds were more than enough to help the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 125-112 on Friday night for their fifth straight victory. "I wasn't even aware of it," said a smiling Lopez, whose twin brother, Brook, leads the fraternal competition with a 32-point game. "I was just trying to catch [teammate] Goran Dragic's 32 points." Lopez made 13 of 16 shots for the Suns, who beat the Clippers for the seventh straight time. "To shoot that efficiently tells me I'm doing my job out there," Lopez said. "That shows how much faith my teammates have in me and my coaches have in me." Lopez saw 37 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez has scored in double figures in four of his last five games but with the 30-point game, is still averaging just 13.6 PPG over that span. Bottom line, he's not a consistent scorer. Still, he's averaging 7.4 boards per game over that five-game span and has two straight double-doubles. Whatever he's doing right now is working. Phoenix plays a favorable four-game schedule Week 19 (March 1-7) and we suggest getting Robin active in most 12-team and deeper leagues.
News: Suns PF Robin Lopez recorded a double-double against the 76ers on Wednesday. In 28 minutes, he scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. He added one steal and two blocked shots.
Analysis: Lopez has had a nice month in February. He's averaging 11.7 points and 6.5 rebounds through 10 games, scoring in double figures eight times. He is making a run at becoming a viable Fantasy option.
News: Phoenix PF Robin Lopez scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on Tuesday in a win over the Grizzlies. Lopez shot 6 of 11 from the field.
Analysis: Lopez is averaging just 13 points and seven rebounds over his last five games but Tuesday's proved he will turn that around to begin the second half of the season. He does not see enough minutes to warrant a start in normal leagues, but does provide value with his rebounds in the deepest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Phoenix F Robin Lopez scored just eight points as the Suns fell 108-101 to Portland on Wednesday. Lopez played 23 minutes, shooting 3 of 5 from the field while bringing in five rebounds.
Analysis: Lopez is averaging 12.2 points per game over his last five to go along with 6.2 rebounds. He does not see enough minutes to warrant a start in normal leagues, but does provide value with his rebounds in the deepest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Phoenix F Robin Lopez scored 18 points to help the Suns defeat New Orleans 109-100 on Monday. Lopez played 26 minutes shooting 8 of 11 from the field while bringing in six rebounds. It was the second straight game Lopez has reached double figures.
Analysis: Lopez has averaged 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds over his last five games. Now that he is a part of the starting lineup, he has scored in double figures in three of his last four games. Lopez is inconsistent however so he only provides help as a No. 3 or No. 4 Fantasy forward.
News: Phoenix PF Robin Lopez scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds against the Bobcats on Tuesday. In 26 minutes he shot 4 of 5 from the field, adding one assist and two blocks.
Analysis: Lopez has moved into the starting lineup and seen his minutes skyrocket. As a result, so has his production. He's averaging 13.0 points and 5.6 blocks in his last five games, and has scored at least 10 points in six of his last eight. As long as he remains a starter he should be a solid starter.
News: Nets C Brook Lopez, playing against brother Robin Lopez and the Suns Wednesday, posted another monster double-double. Lopez outplayed his brother as he often did at Stanford while in school and scored 26 points to go with 13 rebounds. He added a block and shot 12 for 22 from the field. The Suns' Lopez played well, however, as a starter. He scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Analysis: Lopez is giving the Suns 16 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game over his last four contests and has moved into the starting lineup. He's shooting terrific from the field at 27 for 38 over this four-game span and looks like a solid start in any format as long as this continues.
News: Suns C Robin Lopez scored 19 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field in a 125-118 loss to Memphis on Monday. In an effort to shake up his lineup after losing three straight, Gentry started Lopez at center and Barbosa at guard in place of Channing Frye and Jason Richardson.
Analysis: Lopez performed well in his start, but it remains to be seen if Suns coach Alvin Gentry remains with him as the starting center over Channing Frye. If Gentry decides to stick with Lopez, he is only owned in eight percent of Fantasy leagues and could be a sleeper in an extremely potent Phoenix offense. Fantasy owners should pay close attention to Lopez's production throughout the week.
News: Suns coach Alvin Gentry is considering starting Robin Lopez at center for the first time this season in place of Channing Frye, according to The Arizona Republic. The Suns play Memphis Monday afternoon.
Analysis: Frye has been producing poor numbers recently, averaging just 7.0 points and 4.8 rebounds over the last five games while second-year player Robin Lopez -- the the twin brother of Nets center Brook Lopez -- has put up a couple of decent (but not great) stat lines. This change could just be a minor shake up and not a long-term deal as Frye is still the better player of the two, but this news makes Frye somebody to consider reserving despite what appears to be very favorable matchups for Week 13 (Jan. 18-24). Lopez becomes an interesting sleeper for deep leagues if he is available. Again, the Suns have some favorable matchups this week that could lead to high-scoring games.
News: Suns PF Robin Lopez scored 11 points and grabbed six boards on Friday in 30 minutes in a loss at Atlanta. Lopez shot 5 for 8 in the game and was playing for the first time in three games. He added six blocks in the loss.
Analysis: Lopez showed a high upside with the 11 points, six boards and six blocks on Friday but this was just his first double-digit scoring performance of the entire season. One could argue that he's earned more playing time and that should translate into solid rebounding and block numbers but until that actually happens, he has just low-end Fantasy appeal.
News: Phoenix PF Robin Lopez made his season debut on Friday against the Timberwolves. He scored eight points in the game, adding seven rebounds and two blocked shots. He had been out with a foot injury to start the year.
Analysis: Now that Lopez is back, he will only be playing a limited role off the bench. He is worth picking up in deeper formats as a low-end option but should not be activated right away.
News: Phoenix PF Robin Lopez (foot) is expected to make his season debut on Friday at Minnesota, according to the team. Lopez sat out again on Wednesday against Memphis.
Analysis: Lopez is near a return, but there isn't any real rush to add him in Fantasy. He will play a reserve role off the bench with erratic playing time and he should be left on waivers in all Fantasy leagues.
News: The Arizona Republic reports that Robin Lopez (foot) was limping noticeably after shootaround with his foot wrapped in ice. That makes him unlikely for Wednesday's game against Memphis.
Analysis: Lopez is near a return, but there isn't any real rush to add him in Fantasy. He will play a reserve role off the bench with erratic playing time and he should be left on waivers in all Fantasy leagues.
News:The Arizona Republic reports that Robin Lopez participated in his first full-contact practice Friday. He has yet to play this season due to a fracture in his foot.
Analysis: Lopez will be a backup upon his return. His limited minutes make him useless in most Fantasy formats and he should remain on waivers in all leagues.
News:The Arizona Republic reports that Robin Lopez was allowed to work on post moves and running the floor after Friday's shootaround. He stayed for an extra 30 minutes to work out as he continues to recover from a foot fracture.
Analysis: Lopez will be a backup upon his return. His limited minutes make him useless in most Fantasy formats and he should remain on waivers in all leagues.
News: The Suns exercised their options on the contracts of forward Jared Dudley and center Robin Lopez for the 2010-11 season, but declined the option on the contract of swingman Alando Tucker.
Analysis: Dudley is entering his first full season with the Suns after being acquired in a multiplayer trade with Charlotte on Dec. 10. Lopez was Phoenix's first-round pick in the 2008 draft. He is recovering from a broken bone in his left foot. Tucker was a first-round draft pick of Phoenix in 2007 and has played in just 36 games, including 30 last season. The moves were announced Friday. None of these three players are relevant Fantasy options and can continue to be ignored in nearly all formats.
News: Suns center Robin Lopez will have surgery to repair a broken bone in his left foot and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Lopez broke his fifth metatarsal - the long bone on the outside of his foot that connects to the little toe - in the second half of the team's intrasquad scrimmage Saturday in San Diego.
Analysis: Team officials say the procedure to insert a screw in Lopez's foot will be performed Tuesday at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. Lopez, picked 15th by the Suns in 2008, averaged 3 points and 2 rebounds in 60 games as a rookie last season. He is not a viable Fantasy option, unlike his brother Brook.
News: Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O'Neal was inactive for Thursday's game at Denver for what Phoenix coach Terry Porter said was a "routine night off." Robin Lopez started in his place, but managed just four points and two rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
Analysis: Lopez will get the occasional start for Shaq, but has not made the most of it so far this season when he has gotten the chance. As such, he makes for a poor handcuff for Shaquille O'Neal owners as insurance in case something were to happen for Shaq.
News: With Suns C Shaquille O'Neal getting a night off Tuesday at Oklahoma City, rookie Robin Lopez made his second career start. He had 11 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 25 minutes.
Analysis: Lopez had a similarly impressive showing in his other start this season, but he doesn't do much with Shaq in the lineup. Until Shaq suffers an injury, which will likely happen at some point, Lopez remains nothing more than waiver fodder in Fantasy.
News: Suns F Robin Lopez played just nine minutes in his NBA debut during Wednesday's season opener at San Antonio. He attempted one shot, made it and was fouled on the play. He made the free throw and finished with three points, two rebounds and a block.
Analysis: Lopez is currently too far down the depth chart to be considered useful in Fantasy. He is not a player that figures to get a lot of playing time in the team's rotation and for that reason should be left on the waiver wire in all Fantasy leagues until further notice.
News: The Suns will have a tough start to the season with a back-to-back set against two of the top teams in the Western conference and a third game against one of the top risers in the league. All three opponents were among the top-10 defensive teams in the league last season and the Suns are trading in a run-and-shoot style this fall for a more stable half-court approach. That could lead to some games in the 80s and 90s for Phoenix this week and that's bad news for anyone not named Amar'e Stoudemire.
Analysis: Raja Bell is still the starter at shooting guard, but the decline in offensive possessions this season could hit him hardest. Leandro Barbosa could also be affected off the bench, but he has more offensive upside as the sixth man. Rookies Robin Lopez and Goran Dragic have upside in Fantasy, but are going to have to fight for minutes.
