Every weekday throughout the season, ESPNNewYork.com will tackle a burning question about the Nets in our "Opening Tip" segment.
Today's Burning Question: Is Brook Lopez really better than Dwight Howard?
The Nets' offseason went well.
It would've been perfect had they landed Dwight Howard.
GM Billy King offered Brook Lopez, Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and four first-round picks to Orlando for Howard, but that offer was rejected.
So the Nets settled on giving an extension to Lopez, while Howard ended up with the Lakers.
As currently constituted, Brooklyn looks like a playoff team in the East. As for the Lakers? Well, they look like a title contender out West.
That’s what having Howard does for a team’s championship aspirations.
Yet all-timer Shaquille O'Neal claims he’d rather have a "traditional" center like Lopez or Andrew Bynum than a pick-and-roll finisher like D12.
To borrow Jerry Seinfeld’s favorite word these days: Really?
Lopez has the potential to be an All-Star, and has never been surrounded with the type of talent he’s surrounded with now, but he’s no Dwight Howard.
D12 controls the game on both ends of the floor. He commands constant attention. At times, he’s unstoppable. He’s also going to be playing with the most talented players he’s ever played with -- aside from his USA Basketball teammates.
Lopez and Howard seemed primed for big years.
But comparing Lopez with D12? Really?
What do you think about Shaq’s comments?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.