In a wide-ranging interview with Williamette Week, Portland Trail Blazers center and Brook Lopez DNA match Robin Lopez discusses growing up with the Nets center, as well as their shared interests, comic books (of course), and memberships.
Here’s a glance at some of Robin’s Brook-related answers:
What were you like as a kid?
I was pretty creative. Brook and I were pretty imaginative. We always had pretty wide interests.
Since you’ve become famous, have you been to the secret Disneyland club that serves alcohol?
Club 33? It’s cool. Brook and I became members. That’s one of the things we always wanted to do since we were little, because you always hear about it. Going up there for the first time, that felt like holy ground a little bit. It was surreal.
How many comics do you own?
Not as many as Brook. He’s pretty much collecting everything DC Comics publishes right now. I have two or three titles I’ve collected and tried to complete those runs.
You’ve said since Brook signed such a huge contract with the Nets, he’s now just blowing it on comics.
With comic books, for the most part, it’s not a costly addiction. It’s not like Fabergé eggs.
Pro athletes often show a single-minded devotion to their sport. Do your broad interests ever alienate you from other athletes?
There were times during the draft where people were questioning myself and Brook’s dedication to basketball just because we had outside interests, which is pretty ridiculous when you think about it.
Robin also admits he has beef with the Toronto Raptors mascot, refusing to elaborate on why. “He knows.” Beef with mascots appears to be a Lopezian trait: Brook led the Nets in a takedown of Benny the Bull last year.
Full interview below.
Williamette Week — Hotseat: Robin Lopez
