New York Knicks Player Power Rankings

4. Robin Lopez, C

Just as Vujacic is symbolic for that bench guy every winning NBA team needs, Robin Lopez represents the starter part of that thought.

No, Lopez isn’t a talented low-block player. His hands are average and feet a tad slow. If you dump it in to him more than three times per game you’re asking for trouble.

What he does do, however, is fill in one of the more underrated and critical aspects of a rotation. He willingly accepts the “garbage man” role.

The NBA is a “role-defined” league and Lopez knows exactly who he is. Putting that type of guy who can hustle his brains out and clean up the glass next to a talented stretch-four is a perfect recipe for success.