EL SEGUNDO – As he clutched the Lakers jersey in front of him, Brook Lopez conveyed the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for rookies instead of nine-year NBA veterans.
Lopez remarked to Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka that it was a “dream” to wear a purple and gold uniform. He had grown up in North Hollywood. He is well-versed in the 1980s “Showtime” era that included five NBA titles and the Shaq-Kobe tandem that won three from 2000-2002. Robin Lopez, Brook’s twin brother who plays for New Orleans, has Byron as his middle name, a nod to former “Showtime” guard and Lakers coach Byron Scott.