NBA

LOPEZ GETS ROOKIE NOD

Nets rookie center Brook Lopez wanted to relax and do nothing over All-Star Weekend. His play squashed that. Lopez yesterday was selected for the Rookie-Sophomore game. While it means no time off, Lopez was glad to be honored.

“Definitely,” said Lopez. “I feel good, no rookie ‘wall.’ But I was looking forward to a rest, no question. I’ll give it up for this, though. Obviously I’m excited. It’s a great honor.”

He earned it. Among rookies, he is first in blocks (1.93), second in rebounds (7.9), is tied for third in double-doubles (8) and seventh in scoring 11.4.

“His potential is through the roof,” one veteran scout said last night. “It will be Rose or Mayo [for Rookie of the Year], but if I had a vote, I’d vote for Lopez.”