Lopez’s emotions not related to future with team

A frustrating season for Robin Lopez hit a new low with a
one-game suspension after he made contact with an official
during Tuesday night’s home loss against Toronto.

Lopez was ejected from the game when he brushed official
Rodney Mott after a foul was not called while he was going
up for a shot against the Raptors. Lopez said he did not
intentionally walk into Mott, but the officials and league
thought otherwise. He will lose $35,000 and not play in
Friday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 23-year-old’s emotions got the better of him, but
point guard Steve Nash has seen it before.

“He is an emotional player; he’s emotional in practice and
emotional in games,” Nash said of Lopez. “He had a little
outburst there that will cost him and cost us a little
bit. But I’m sure he’ll learn from it, and he’ll be back
hungry.”

The center has only been averaging 14.2 minutes and 4.8
points per game. The Suns had until Wednesday to offer the
restricted free agent a contract extension, but chose not
to.

Lopez said his actions throughout the game were out of
frustration, but it had nothing to do with his undecided
future with the team.

Suns coach Alvin Gentry did not say whether there should have been a foul called, but he credited the officials for the work they do even though the calls aren’t always in their favor.

“You have to be able to control your emotions, and that’s
all part of the game,” Gentry said. “Every
call is not going to go our way; every call is not going
to be correct. But I know one thing, I know that those
guys [officials] work extremely hard and do the best jobs
that they possibly can.”

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