Robin Lopez won’t call it his career season, though a lot of people would.
“I’m in a different role — I’m doing well in a different role,’’ Lopez said.
The quirky Knicks starting center is the poster boy for how a big man makes the triangle hum — the productive, smart, decision-making post man that offense needs. Since late December, when he mastered all the options at his disposal after getting the ball on the block, Lopez arguably has been the Knicks’ best player — and clearly their best 2015 free-agent signing. It all has been overshadowed by their slide.
With Carmelo Anthony resting the fourth quarter Friday in Philadelphia, Lopez carried the Knicks home, repelling the 76ers’ charge. He had a critical offensive rebound, a block and two free throws in the final minute to seal the win and seal his season as a major success, scoring 24 points, with 15 rebounds (eight offensive) and three blocks.
“He’s grown as a ballplayer, gaining confidence in his offensive game,’’ Knicks interim coach Kurt Rambis said. “We’re encouraging him to explore those avenues so he can be a real value to us — someone we can throw the ball into.”
Though Lopez’s progression started under Derek Fisher, he has taken another step forward under Rambis, who took over Feb. 8.
“To see him blossom, to see what he’s done, he’s a smart basketball player, high basketball IQ,’’ Rambis said. “We’re encouraging him to do a lot offensively. In the past he wasn’t asked to do those things. He just had to gain confidence and his teammates had to gain confidence in him.’’
Lopez was the fourth option in a deep Trail Blazers starting lineup, perhaps suppressing his numbers. Road P.A. announcers still accidentally chime “Brook Lopez’’ after one of his buckets.
If anyone would like to see Rambis return and ingrain the triangle, it is Lopez, saying they have an ”open-door policy.” Around the NBA, the low-post big is being phased out.
Lopez had a rocky start in November and parts of December before he got the hang.
“It was getting comfortable with my teammates — they have so much confidence in me,’’ Lopez said. “Even if my first half didn’t go so well, they’re telling me to keep being aggressive.’’
As he still has a place in Oregon, Lopez was decked out in his usual ratty Mariners baseball cap and a new white T-shirt that read “Wild Feminist.”
“What do you want — it’s from Portland,’’ Lopez said.
While many Knicks fans clamored for Greg Monroe, Lopez became the perfect call — a bright note of the sullen season.
“I wasn’t too worried about that,’’ Lopez said. “I was excited coming here. My perception didn’t change.’’
