Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez continues to show his team-first mentality despite his limited playing time, but that doesn't mean he's happy with the way things are right now.
Robin Lopez has seen a huge drop in his role for the Bulls this 2018-19 campaign, from starting center in the preseason to third-choice center in the regular season. Rookie Wendell Carter Jr. has surpassed him in the pecking order while Cristiano Felicio also took the role of backup big man.
The 30-year-old has played in only three games so far, racking up “Did Not Play-Coach's Decision” tags in back-to-back matches against the Charlotte Hornets and in their latest meeting with the Atlanta Hawks.
As K.C. Johnson of Chicago Tribune noted, Lopez isn't showing any sign of dissatisfaction with his reduced role. In fact, he is “openly encouraging” both Carter and Felicio during games, playing as the veteran mentor to the two young guns.
However, privately, the 10-year NBA veteran is frustrated with his demotion and even had “several closed-door meetings” with the Bulls' coaching staff.
“What NBA player wouldn’t want to be playing?” Lopez said. “But I realize we’re trying to do what’s best for the team right now.”
Through the three games he played, Lopez has averaged 3.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. Moreover, in his last appearance for the Bulls, against the Dallas Mavericks, he scored just two points and was fouled out after just 10 minutes of play.
Lopez started in all the 64 games he played with the Bulls last season, so it is understandable why he is upset. However, with the way he is playing and the Bulls' desire to go young, he may just not be in the right place at the right time.
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