Brook Lopez is focusing on the defensive side of the ball this season, ESPN New York reports. "[Lionel] wants me to take more charges," Lopez said. "Become a better pick-and-roll defender and crash the glass."

Lopez is focusing on the defensive side of the ball this season, ESPN New York reports. "[Lionel] wants me to take more charges," Lopez said. "Become a better pick-and-roll defender and crash the glass."

Analysis:

Lopez, who returns after missing most of last season with a stress fracture in his foot, is one of the best offensive centers in the league when healthy but has always struggled on the glass and in certain defensive matchups. He's averaged fewer than seven rebounds per game in each of the last four seasons and is a poor defender in pick-and-roll situations. The addition of Hollins, who coached former Defensive Player of the Year, Marc Gasol, should help Lopez's development, but the center knows the onus is on him to improve. "It's just been a matter of increasing my effort," Lopez said. "Not just boxing out, but going to get the rebound after and focusing on certain numbers on the offensive rebounds, as well as defensive rebounds."