Pippen Ain't Easy
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Pippen Ain’t Easy Roundtable: Discussing the Biggest Chicago Bulls Stories Heading Into December

By Matthew Price

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) dribbles against Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) dribbles against Philadelphia 76ers forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Robin Lopez > Joakim Noah?

MP: What are your thoughts on the Robin Lopez addition? Has he been better than Joakim Noah was for Chicago last season?

AK: Assuming he plays in more than 29 games and keeps making that sky hook and guarding the rim like a champ, then yes, of course he has. This is coming from a writer who owns a Joakim Noah jersey. The trade of Holiday and Rose for Lopez and Grant was great, even if it deprived us of a decent sniping bench wing. We got a defensive center on a suddenly below-value contract, in his prime, and an exciting young off-guard prospect in Jerian Grant who might be better than the genius we’re paying $15 million.

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MW: I’ll answer the second question first because it’s the easiest one. Yes, Lopez has been much, much better than Noah last year. It’s an easy question because Noah hardly played last season and when he did, he was bad.

Sure, Noah sacrificed more than anyone when Pau Gasol came in before the 2014-15 season, but the injuries were a gut-punch and he just wasn’t effective when he was on the floor (except at times defensively where he made his name in his good years).

As for Lopez, he’s been awesome. He’s not an All-Star, but he’s an All-Star for the Bulls. He does the dirty work. He sets good screens. He can step out and hit a mid-range jumper within the flow of an offense. He’s not as mobile as Noah was and it shows at times, but he’s a solid rim protector and a smart player. The Bulls did well in getting him back in the Rose trade.

HK: Robin Lopez is great, and I’m glad knowing that the mascots can be afraid along with the opposing players when the Bulls come to town. The best thing Lopez can do to be better than Noah was last year is to stay on the court all season long, but the Bulls don’t seem to be missing Noah’s passing, and Lopez is killing it protecting the rim and eating up offensive rebounds. Put me decidedly on Team Lopez.

RP: Joakim Noah was my favorite Bull during his nine-year tenure in Chicago, but even the biggest Jo fans must admit how poorly he fell off in the last couple of seasons. Injuries had much to do with his poor play, but it was poor play nonetheless. Robin Lopez has been exceptional for the Bulls, especially considering the value at which they have him. The Bulls owe him around $13 million dollars for the next three years. For context, Ian Mahinmi is making about $2 million more a year to come off the bench for the Wizards. (No disrespect to Ian, though.) Lopez’s numbers aren’t flashy at all, but he does so much for the Bulls on both sides of the floor.

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