Lopez: I Can Play Next to Howard

One arm is in a sling but the other yielded a shovel. So, Brook Lopez planted trees in Newark's Branch Brook Park Tuesday, part of the team's community outreach in New Jersey. But with rumors starting to swirl that Dwight Howard might be willing to join the Nets, Lopez was asked the inevitable question: What's he think about that?

It doesn't bother him, he said, that his name is mentioned most prominently when there's talk of a trade between the Nets and Magic.  And he noted, that if the Nets were to acquire Howard in free agency, next summer, he's be happy to play alongside the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

After all,he has a lot of experience playing next to defensive-oriented big men. "I've played with other big men -- at lower levels,'' Lopez said. "I've played with my brother" Robin.

• Lopez said speculation about team's interest in Howard doesn't bother him - Colin Stephenson - Star-Ledger
• Dwight Howard is sick of you questioning his love for Orlando - Kelly Dwyer - Yahoo! Sports