Professional career New Jersey / Brooklyn Nets (2008–2017) All-Rookie honors and increasing averages (2008–2011) Lopez was drafted by the New Jersey Nets 10th overall. His twin brother, Robin, was drafted 15th overall by the Phoenix Suns. Lopez played in his first NBA game on October 29, 2008 in a 95-85 Nets win. In his first game, Lopez came off the bench and had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 25 minutes. Lopez began starting for the Nets after an injury took Josh Boone out of the line-up, and afterwards he started putting up solid numbers for the team. Lopez was selected to compete in the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge. For his rookie season Lopez averaged 13.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, playing in all 82 games of the regular season. He ranked 4th in the NBA in total blocks with 154 and 9th in blocks per game with 1.9, which was first among rookies. He finished third in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the All-Rookie first team. He was selected as NBA Rookie of the Month twice in the months of January and February. The Nets finished at 34-48, failing to qualify for the playoffs. The Nets started the 2009–10 season going 0-18, the worst start to a season in NBA history. Because of their start the Nets fired head coach Lawrence Frank. The Nets won their first game on December 4, 2009 against the Charlotte Bobcats 97-91. Lopez contributed in the win with 31 points and 14 rebounds. In his second season, Lopez established career bests in minutes played per game (36.9) and rebounds per game (8.6) while averaging 18.8 points per game. Lopez started in all the Nets' games in the 2009–10 season. Despite his improving play, however, the Nets struggled all season, finishing with one of the worst records in NBA history at 12-70; only 3 more wins than the 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers. For his third NBA season, Lopez for the third consecutive year played in all 82 regular season games. Lopez struggled to rebound the ball during the season and was criticized by head coach Avery Johnson because of his rebounding. During the season the Nets traded for all-star point guard Deron Williams. The move helped Lopez out significantly, as he saw his scoring average increase. During the season Lopez averaged 20.4 points,