November 6, 2024 • 8 mins
New Zealand Breakers 'Next Star' Karim Lopez joined D'Arcy Waldegrave to discuss his recent success down under in the NBL.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I would join now on News Talk zed B by
next star player out of the Breakers Kurring Lopez. He
joins us after having a fantastic game when they rolled
Melbourne United. Welcome to the show, Kareem. That would have
been very satisfying. What second game back from injury to
do what you.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Did, hey man, Yeah for sure, I mean thanks for
having me here and also yeah, I mean very happy
with the result obviously, and just happy that we could
get get a win and just go outher and perform.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
So what triggered that? I'm presuming that coach Kop knows
what he's doing, because you've missed a lot of stars
in that game, but you had you gelled so well.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Oh yeah, I mean we obviously missing some key players,
but I mean the coach is always tell us we
have no time to cry, we have no time to
make excuses, So we just got to keep keep our
head down, work and just like next man up and
just try and stay together as a group and just
go for the gold. That's getting every single wing we can.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
You had a good time of it out there as
far as the box score, your stats cheek goes, you
manage to pick yourself up a double doubles, a few
offensive rebounds, and one killer defensive rebound at the end.
So you're performing everywhere. Is that how you like to
seek yourself up? Is this what you do?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Oh? Yeah, I mean for sure. I mean, I mean
I'd like to just I mean, the boxer is not
really the most important thing for me. I'm just trying
to go out there and help the team win. I'm
just trying to go and make an impact. There is rebounding, scoring, passing,
blocking shots I did the last game. So I'm just
trying to like make winning plays and just get the
(01:49):
win at the end of the day. So I'll try
and do whatever I can.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
You're a four. Do you stick really in the three
of the four spot? Where do you sit?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
What do you say?
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Sorry, you sit in the three spot of the full?
Stop your power forward? Do your small forward? Where are
you comfortable?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I mean, I would whatever. I mean, I'm playing more
of the small for it. But I feel like I'm
a very versatile player and I can I can move
around and just play whatever position. The coach.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah, enjoying it over in New Zealand. It's quite a
journey for You've got what a couple of years before
the draft and the NBA CEA over here for two
years in the Next Star Program. What got you here?
What was the trigger to get you over here to
New Zealand?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Oh, well it was it was a great success that
they haven't lately because I mean there's a lot of examples,
you know, Lassier in Lazier's Draft the year prior to that,
and like, I mean, the Next Part program has been
a very successful program in last couple of years. And
I just me and my family just came to the
to the conclusion that it was gonna be it was
(02:55):
gonna be great for me, and it was gonna help
me develop and just be the best version of myself.
And I feel like, for like it was a right
choice currying.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
My paces guest out of the breakers. When you look
at hand Empton and Rupeer and the likes, they've worked
this league very well to move on up. Is it
the physicality of the league. Is it the fact that
maybe what do you put down to about the NBL
what attracts you to about this particular league?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well, you know, I was obviously it's a very very
competitive league, a very talented league. It's a very high
paced league also, So I feel like that's something that
emulates a little with the NBA. It's obviously not the same,
but it's similar in some sort of way because it's
a very fast paid league. And I mean, just trying
to adjust myself, just trying to be a better professional,
(03:46):
learn how to be a professional, and just learn about
the game and just improducing the day.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah, up against another Nickstar player, went against United's Alex Twoey.
How did that work out for you? Guys? Aware of
each other or what is that?
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Can you be that?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
That's okay, it's my I talk really fast. I'll just
put away. Might have at three two one up against
another next Star player in Uh it was Alex too.
He wasn't it that you played against over the last
game too?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Yeah, a couple of weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yeah, what do you know?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yeah? What is it?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
That's okay? What do you know about him? What was
it like playing against him? He's another nick Star player?
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, I mean I'm aware
of that obviously. I mean, I mean, it's it's it's
definitely a challenge of very very talented player obviously, but
I mean just I mean, I'm not too worried about
like individual matchups or like all that's tuff. I'm just
trying to go out there and just win. That's always
my main I mean golf.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, over in New Zealand, you're you're a young man,
You're seventeen years old. What's the cultural difference being like
for you're sitting foot here in Auckland having to Readjust.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Well, it's been, it's been. It's obviously different. I mean
it's been shock and some and some things. But I
feel like I've adapted good. I Mean the biggest things
for me is the the weather, like the stations of
the year, Like right now it's like winter and over
in Mexico it's the summer right now. Well, no, it's
(05:22):
transitioning right now, but like it was the summer when
I when I left and I came to New Zealand,
it was winter. So I feel like that's the biggest
thing that threw me off a little bit.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
What about things like the food, the traffic, the clear area,
the sea. I don't know where you're from Mexico, but
it's very different.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Huh, yeah, it is. I mean the I mean, I'm
okay with the food. I like. I like the food.
I really enjoy eating all all sorts of stuff, So
I feel like I like musical food too.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, being from Mexico, are you a Formula One fan?
Speaker 3 (05:59):
No? Not really?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Okay, fine, I am. I was just gonna talk to
you about a periods, but I'll leave that when a
line up.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
I know him, I obviously know him, but I'm not
a big fan of Like, I don't follow this sport
a lot.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Tell us about prospects in the NBA and where you
sit right now in your program? You're protected in the draft.
What does all this mean? What are your your prospects
for the big step up in a couple of years.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Well, I mean, I'm just try I mean, I obviously
want to be as high as a draft pick as
they can, but I'm just I'm just focused on the
present right now. I'm just focus on doing the little
things that are going to get me there, Just working
every single day and just trying to be the best
version of myself, which I know I can be. So yeah,
(06:48):
I mean, it's just I'm just focused in the present
so I can I can be better in the future.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Coming back from a bit of an injury break, maybe
a bit creaky in the first game back, but you
got into rhythm again. Is something I suppose you deal
with as a professional athlete. A bit frustrating, right, coming
and signing over here and then breaking down for a month.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Oh yeah, for sure. I mean I had that. I
had that injury that kept me out for a little bit.
But I mean it's just about staying staying lucked in,
staying staying focused, knowing that Okay, that's that's something that
can happen. You cannot control it. You know it already happens,
So you gotta keep your mind right and just be
(07:30):
patient and just wait for your opportunity to give back
and just work.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Have you got the best relationship over here? Is there's
someone on the team that you've you know, decided you
guys get on pretty well. You're that kind of guy.
That's important that you have some relationships off the court
with some of the some of your teammates.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Oh, with everybody. Everybody's everybody's really cool. Everybody's really really
cool with each other. So I'm really I'm really glad
that I have a great group of teammates.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
And one last thing. You've got the best haircut and
the whole of the NBL never changed. Never change the
name you said. No, I know their haircuts, don't ever
change it. It's fantastic, mate, What to do?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
I appreciate it man.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
And on that we'll let you get on with business.
Kareem low Pez, thanks very much for your time. Play well,
play hard.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Man, Thank you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Thanks may Well cut all their BooksIt out of the
middle or sorry about that? Hey, thanks, thanks, thanks for
your time. Get in there and man up. It's been
amazing watching you guys that game last week. Was there
a couple of days ago? It was wild? I haven't
seen it like, wow, I don't know what happened there,
burst out, Hey god chast talk to him. Thank you, mate.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
By For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News
Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk zed B.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
I would join now on News Talk zed B by
next star player out of the Breakers Kurring Lopez. He
joins us after having a fantastic game when they rolled
Melbourne United. Welcome to the show, Kareem. That would have
been very satisfying. What second game back from injury to
do what you.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Did, hey man, Yeah for sure, I mean thanks for
having me here and also yeah, I mean very happy
with the result obviously, and just happy that we could
get get a win and just go outher and perform.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
So what triggered that? I'm presuming that coach Kop knows
what he's doing, because you've missed a lot of stars
in that game, but you had you gelled so well.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
Oh yeah, I mean we obviously missing some key players,
but I mean the coach is always tell us we
have no time to cry, we have no time to
make excuses, So we just got to keep keep our
head down, work and just like next man up and
just try and stay together as a group and just
go for the gold. That's getting every single wing we can.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
You had a good time of it out there as
far as the box score, your stats cheek goes, you
manage to pick yourself up a double doubles, a few
offensive rebounds, and one killer defensive rebound at the end.
So you're performing everywhere. Is that how you like to
seek yourself up? Is this what you do?
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Oh? Yeah, I mean for sure. I mean, I mean
I'd like to just I mean, the boxer is not
really the most important thing for me. I'm just trying
to go out there and help the team win. I'm
just trying to go and make an impact. There is rebounding, scoring, passing,
blocking shots I did the last game. So I'm just
trying to like make winning plays and just get the
(01:49):
win at the end of the day. So I'll try
and do whatever I can.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
You're a four. Do you stick really in the three
of the four spot? Where do you sit?
Speaker 3 (01:57):
What do you say?
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Sorry, you sit in the three spot of the full?
Stop your power forward? Do your small forward? Where are
you comfortable?
Speaker 3 (02:05):
I mean, I would whatever. I mean, I'm playing more
of the small for it. But I feel like I'm
a very versatile player and I can I can move
around and just play whatever position. The coach.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah, enjoying it over in New Zealand. It's quite a
journey for You've got what a couple of years before
the draft and the NBA CEA over here for two
years in the Next Star Program. What got you here?
What was the trigger to get you over here to
New Zealand?
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Oh, well it was it was a great success that
they haven't lately because I mean there's a lot of examples,
you know, Lassier in Lazier's Draft the year prior to that,
and like, I mean, the Next Part program has been
a very successful program in last couple of years. And
I just me and my family just came to the
to the conclusion that it was gonna be it was
(02:55):
gonna be great for me, and it was gonna help
me develop and just be the best version of myself.
And I feel like, for like it was a right
choice currying.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
My paces guest out of the breakers. When you look
at hand Empton and Rupeer and the likes, they've worked
this league very well to move on up. Is it
the physicality of the league. Is it the fact that
maybe what do you put down to about the NBL
what attracts you to about this particular league?
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Well, you know, I was obviously it's a very very
competitive league, a very talented league. It's a very high
paced league also, So I feel like that's something that
emulates a little with the NBA. It's obviously not the same,
but it's similar in some sort of way because it's
a very fast paid league. And I mean, just trying
to adjust myself, just trying to be a better professional,
(03:46):
learn how to be a professional, and just learn about
the game and just improducing the day.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Yeah, up against another Nickstar player, went against United's Alex Twoey.
How did that work out for you? Guys? Aware of
each other or what is that?
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Can you be that?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
That's okay, it's my I talk really fast. I'll just
put away. Might have at three two one up against
another next Star player in Uh it was Alex too.
He wasn't it that you played against over the last
game too?
Speaker 3 (04:15):
Yeah, a couple of weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yeah, what do you know?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yeah? What is it?
Speaker 2 (04:21):
That's okay? What do you know about him? What was
it like playing against him? He's another nick Star player?
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Oh yeah, for sure. I mean, I mean I'm aware
of that obviously. I mean, I mean, it's it's it's
definitely a challenge of very very talented player obviously, but
I mean just I mean, I'm not too worried about
like individual matchups or like all that's tuff. I'm just
trying to go out there and just win. That's always
my main I mean golf.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Yeah, over in New Zealand, you're you're a young man,
You're seventeen years old. What's the cultural difference being like
for you're sitting foot here in Auckland having to Readjust.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Well, it's been, it's been. It's obviously different. I mean
it's been shock and some and some things. But I
feel like I've adapted good. I Mean the biggest things
for me is the the weather, like the stations of
the year, Like right now it's like winter and over
in Mexico it's the summer right now. Well, no, it's
(05:22):
transitioning right now, but like it was the summer when
I when I left and I came to New Zealand,
it was winter. So I feel like that's the biggest
thing that threw me off a little bit.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
What about things like the food, the traffic, the clear area,
the sea. I don't know where you're from Mexico, but
it's very different.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Huh, yeah, it is. I mean the I mean, I'm
okay with the food. I like. I like the food.
I really enjoy eating all all sorts of stuff, So
I feel like I like musical food too.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Yeah, being from Mexico, are you a Formula One fan?
Speaker 3 (05:59):
No? Not really?
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Okay, fine, I am. I was just gonna talk to
you about a periods, but I'll leave that when a
line up.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
I know him, I obviously know him, but I'm not
a big fan of Like, I don't follow this sport
a lot.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Tell us about prospects in the NBA and where you
sit right now in your program? You're protected in the draft.
What does all this mean? What are your your prospects
for the big step up in a couple of years.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Well, I mean, I'm just try I mean, I obviously
want to be as high as a draft pick as
they can, but I'm just I'm just focused on the
present right now. I'm just focus on doing the little
things that are going to get me there, Just working
every single day and just trying to be the best
version of myself, which I know I can be. So yeah,
(06:48):
I mean, it's just I'm just focused in the present
so I can I can be better in the future.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Coming back from a bit of an injury break, maybe
a bit creaky in the first game back, but you
got into rhythm again. Is something I suppose you deal
with as a professional athlete. A bit frustrating, right, coming
and signing over here and then breaking down for a month.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Oh yeah, for sure. I mean I had that. I
had that injury that kept me out for a little bit.
But I mean it's just about staying staying lucked in,
staying staying focused, knowing that Okay, that's that's something that
can happen. You cannot control it. You know it already happens,
So you gotta keep your mind right and just be
(07:30):
patient and just wait for your opportunity to give back
and just work.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
Have you got the best relationship over here? Is there's
someone on the team that you've you know, decided you
guys get on pretty well. You're that kind of guy.
That's important that you have some relationships off the court
with some of the some of your teammates.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
Oh, with everybody. Everybody's everybody's really cool. Everybody's really really
cool with each other. So I'm really I'm really glad
that I have a great group of teammates.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
And one last thing. You've got the best haircut and
the whole of the NBL never changed. Never change the
name you said. No, I know their haircuts, don't ever
change it. It's fantastic, mate, What to do?
Speaker 3 (08:11):
I appreciate it man.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
And on that we'll let you get on with business.
Kareem low Pez, thanks very much for your time. Play well,
play hard.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Man, Thank you, thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Thanks may Well cut all their BooksIt out of the
middle or sorry about that? Hey, thanks, thanks, thanks for
your time. Get in there and man up. It's been
amazing watching you guys that game last week. Was there
a couple of days ago? It was wild? I haven't
seen it like, wow, I don't know what happened there,
burst out, Hey god chast talk to him. Thank you, mate.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
By For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News
Talks it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
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