Introduction: The Evolution of Brook Lopez
Brook Lopez entered the NBA in 2008 as a traditional big man. He dominated the paint with post moves, blocked shots, and rebounded at a solid rate. But if someone had told you back then that Lopez would become one of the NBA’s best three-point shooting centers, you’d have laughed.
Fast forward to today, and Lopez is a certified three-point sniper. 🎯🔥
How did this happen? How did a back-to-the-basket center turn into a stretch-five capable of hitting deep threes like a guard? This article will break down:
✅ Lopez’s early NBA career and playing style
✅ How he developed his three-point shot
✅ His best shooting performances
✅ How his transformation helped the Milwaukee Bucks win a championship
✅ Where he ranks among the best three-point shooting bigs ever
Let’s dive into the incredible journey of Brook “Splash Mountain” Lopez! ⬇️
🏀 Early Years: The Paint-Dominant Big Man (2008-2016)
When Brook Lopez was drafted 10th overall by the New Jersey Nets in 2008, his game was simple:
🔥 Post-ups, hook shots, and mid-range jumpers
🔥 Elite footwork & soft touch around the rim
🔥 Rebounding and shot-blocking
📊 Lopez’s Stats in His First 5 NBA Seasons:
🏀 Points Per Game: 18.3
🏀 Rebounds Per Game: 7.4
🏀 Three-Point Attempts Per Game: 0.1 ❌
At this time, Lopez didn’t even attempt three-pointers. His range was strictly limited to mid-range jumpers, and he rarely played outside the paint.
But everything changed when the NBA evolved into a three-point-heavy league.
🎯 The Three-Point Revolution Begins (2016-2018)
Around 2016, the NBA shifted towards “pace and space” basketball, where teams spread the floor and took more threes than ever before.
Brook Lopez realized that if he didn’t adapt, he’d be left behind.
📌 His transformation began in 2016-17 with the Brooklyn Nets:
🔥 3-Point Attempts Per Game: 5.2 (compared to 0.2 in his previous seasons!)
🔥 3-Point Percentage: 34.6% (better than many guards!)
🔥 Made Threes: 134 (after making just THREE in his previous 8 seasons!)
Lopez reinvented his game, going from a paint-heavy center to a legit three-point shooter.
💡 What Changed?
✅ He extended his mid-range jumper beyond the arc.
✅ Practiced corner threes & top-of-the-key threes daily.
✅ Worked with shooting coaches to adjust his release & footwork.
This risk paid off—Brook Lopez became one of the first traditional centers to fully embrace the three-point revolution. 🚀
🔥 Dominating as a Stretch Five (2018-Present)
When Lopez signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018, he took his three-point shooting to the next level.
💥 2018-19 Season (The Birth of “Splash Mountain”)
🏀 3-Point Attempts Per Game: 6.3 (career-high)
🏀 3-Point Percentage: 36.5%
🏀 Made Threes: 187 (8th most by a center in NBA history!)
💡 Why This Was Revolutionary:
✅ Most big men still didn’t shoot threes—Lopez became a true stretch-five.
✅ His shooting opened the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving the Bucks better spacing.
✅ Defenses had to respect his shot, pulling opposing centers out of the paint.
🏆 2020-21: Championship Season with the Bucks
Lopez played a key role in the Milwaukee Bucks’ NBA Championship run in 2021.
🔥 His biggest playoff moment?
Game 5 vs. the Atlanta Hawks (Eastern Conference Finals) – With Giannis injured, Lopez stepped up and dropped 33 points, proving he could still dominate inside while spacing the floor.
🏆 The result? The Bucks won their first championship in 50 years! 🎉
📊 Where Does Lopez Rank Among the Best Shooting Bigs Ever?
Brook Lopez’s three-point transformation has put him in elite company. Let’s compare him to other legendary shooting bigs:
✅ Lopez ranks among the best three-point shooting bigs in NBA history.
✅ He’s the ONLY player on this list who started his career as a non-shooter.
✅ His shooting helped redefine the modern NBA center position.
🚀 What’s Next for Brook Lopez?
At 35 years old, Lopez is still a key piece of the Bucks’ championship-contending roster. But what does the future hold?
✅ Can he keep shooting at a high level?
✅ Will he retire as one of the greatest shooting bigs ever?
✅ Could he help the Bucks win another title?
One thing is for sure: Lopez’s three-point revolution isn’t slowing down anytime soon! 🔥🏀
🎯 Final Thoughts: The Legacy of "Splash Mountain"
Brook Lopez’s three-point transformation is one of the most shocking and impressive in NBA history.
✅ Started as a traditional big man with no outside shot.
✅ Adapted to the modern game and became an elite three-point shooter.
✅ Helped the Bucks win an NBA championship.
Lopez proved that it’s never too late to evolve your game. His ability to reinvent himself is what separates good players from great ones.
💬 What do YOU think? Is Brook Lopez the greatest three-point shooting big man ever? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🔥
#BrookLopez #NBA #MilwaukeeBucks #SplashMountain #ThreePointShooter #NBATrending #BasketballEvolution #StretchFive #NBAHighlights #BucksNation #ClutchShooter #BasketballGOAT #BigManShooter #GameChanger #HoopsHype #NBAHistory #NBAPerformance #BucksBasketball #UnderratedShooter #NBAChampion
