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A New Center in Town?

The Arizona Republic is reporting that coach Alvin Gentry is considering starting Robin Lopez at center over the incumbent Channing Frye in the Suns' game against the Grizzlies on Monday. 

Announcements like these usually send me running off to the free agent pool of all of my fantasy leagues to make frantic pickups before the rest of the owners get word from Marvin Gaye. I'm tempering my expectations with this news.

Lopez has shown flashes of possessing the same dominant pedigree as his brother Brook. From the few minutes he's been given in his short career, I have faith that Robin can produce similar fantasy production compared to Brook.

Where they differ greatly is their coaches' expectations and the systems in which they play. Brook plays for the Nets, and he is their first option on offense. Robin plays for the Suns who play an up-and-down style of basketball that focuses around Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash.

Lopez was battling Frye for the starting center spot during the preseason before shooting himself in the foot by breaking a bone in his foot. Regardless of Lopez' injury, Frye was the favorite to earn the spot because of his experience in the NBA and Amare Stoudemire's lobbying. Stoudemire didn't want Lopez clogging up the paint down low. He likes Frye playing center to help stretch the floor.

Even if Lopez gets the start at center on Monday, Frye owners shouldn't panic. Frye fits the Suns' style of play better than Lopez and should reclaim his starting spot quickly.

My interest in seeing Lopez start is more pointed towards creating expectations for next season when he may not have Stoudemire on the team to fight for space in the paint.