Robin Lopez knows sacrifice. He learned it early in his NBA -career with the Suns, playing alongside veterans Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash and Grant Hill.
“If you want to win, when you want to get to the upper echelons of this league, everybody on the roster is going to sacrifice,” Lopez said Saturday. “I think the couple of guys that have won -championships on this team can tell you that.
“When I came into this league, it was a Phoenix Suns team consistently going to the playoffs, and they had aspirations to go deep into the playoffs. People were always harping on sacrifice, what you have to give up for the success of the team.”
That’s what Lopez has been doing the last few games — without an attitude or disruption.
Coach Fred Hoiberg has been leaning on second-year power forward/center Cristiano Felicio to close out games lately, turning Lopez into a cheerleader/mentor.
“He’s our best rim roller on this team,” Hoiberg said of Felicio. “Setting screens, he and Dwyane [Wade] have developed a nice chemistry with that second unit with shooters on the floor. [Rajon] Rondo and he play together well also because of his ability to get to the rim and run the floor.
“The other thing he gives us is a big-time defensive presence because of his ability to move, and there’s not a lot of big bodies like that. Again, a kid that I think has a great future in this league.”
Lopez has seen what Felicio can do and is all for the youngster getting late-game minutes over him if it benefits the team. He even has been willing to tutor Felicio.
“I just know as a rookie, a young guy, you see the game totally differently and it could take awhile for it to slow down the right way,” Lopez said. “I’m just trying to play my part a little bit.
“I think that’s kind of the good thing about our team. When we’re playing really well, we’ve got a lot of different options.’’
The Wade plan
With a second set of back-to-back games this week, Hoiberg -announced that Wade won’t make the trip to Memphis on Sunday. Hoiberg plans to rest the veteran until the Bulls return to the United Center to face the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Wade also missed the game against the Wizards on Tuesday.
Nikola Mirotic also will miss the game against the Grizzlies but for a different reason. He still was battling flu-like symptoms that have ravaged the team in the last week.
More PT for Rondo
Rondo continued his new role as the lead guard for the second team, entering the game against the Pelicans in the first quarter and hitting two three-pointers in the first half.
After a being benched for five games, Rondo has earned more playing time over reserve guard Jerian Grant.
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Email: jcowley@suntimes.com
