FanPost

Just how cool is Robin Lopez? Pretty cool.

Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

So, in the year since Mr. Lopez arrived and became an integral part of the team, he has also endeared himself to me personally as my new favorite personality on the Trail Blazers squad. His easy, self-deprecating style, his nerdy pursuits outside of the arena, and his seemingly down to earth persona all make up a wonderful package. Also, you know, the dunks on people's heads.

But something I witnessed firsthand at Esther Short Park in Vancouver today made me love the big guy even more. The Trail Blazers media team were on-site to film some of us locals for a commercial they're creating, and Lopez, Victor Claver, and Allen Crabbe arrived near the end for additional footage and crowd shots. They were also made available for pictures with the first 100 of us who arrived, with our own cellphones! (Quick aside: Robin Lopez is a very large man.) Anyway, after my pic, and a fist bump from RoLo (I was grinning like an idiot by this time), I stepped aside as things wound down. The players were on a tight schedule, so we were told no autographs could be signed as they left.

HOWEVER. Both Allen Crabbe and Victor Claver were quickly spirited to the SUV waiting for them by police escort, while Lopez was finishing up something. As HE began walking towards the truck with all the event staff and police trailing, a little girl stopped him and asked him to sign her basketball. Without skipping a beat, he looked down at her and yelled loudly, "NOOOOO!" After she and everyone around her jumped, he said, "Bet you weren't expecting that, huh!" Then he laughed and signed her ball and a few more for other kids while walking. His handlers didn't look pleased. He didn't look like he cared. :)

That dude is pretty alright.