Nicolas Batum stood in front of his stall in the corner of the Trail Blazers' locker room and peered around at his teammates.

He pointed across the way at LaMarcus Aldridge, who was dressing in front of his locker, and announced out loud: "Career year." Then he shifted his gaze a few stalls down the row and pointed toward Damian Lillard, who was conducting postgame interviews. "Career year."

The drill continued twice more, with Batum twirling to the right and pointing at Wesley Matthews, before twisting his finger around and directing it at himself.

"Career year ... career year," Batum said. "Only one thing is different: Robin Lopez."

Batum's animated display was meant to illustrate the difference between the 2012-13 Blazers, who were a part of the NBA Draft Lottery, and the 2013-14 Blazers, who won 54 games and reached the second round of the playoffs. The biggest difference, Batum said, was obvious.

If Lopez had his way, he'd enjoy this view for the foreseeable future. He will be a free agent after this season, but he has no desire to leave Portland.

"I really love it here," Lopez said. "I fee like I've really found a niche. Nothing is set in stone, but I'm comfortable here, I'm happy here."

After all, Portland is Lopez's kind of city. His self-described "atypical" personality is a perfect fit in a place that embraces Lopez's artistic ability and celebrates his quirkiness. It's a place where a 7-foot tall floppy-haired comic book-reading movie buff blends right in. A place, he says, where he can be himself.

"I love the people, they're so friendly," Lopez said. "It's like a small town with big-city benefits. I love how everybody just acts so natural. They act like themselves."

And while it's far too early to predict whether Lopez will get his wish and stay here indefinitely, it's hard to imagine him anywhere else. The love he shares for Portland is mutual.

"There's only one Robin Lopez," Batum said. "And I want him on my team."

-- Joe Freeman | @BlazerFreeman