Blazer Trade!

[blue9]

As someone who has been clamoring for 2-way players at the 3 and 4 since the beginning of last season, I approve this trade.

Yeah, he's young, but he has the skills and athleticism to make an impact at both ends. That 9.8 BLK% and 79.4 DRtg are off the charts. Shit, if he can post 5.0 and 100 at the next level, he will be our best defending big man (over the course of an entire season) since Bill Walton.

I don't care if he's white, black, green or purple. If he can play defense, I'm down with it. His offensive production will be fine. He has a nice touch both inside and out to the 3-point line. He has good footwork and a mean streak. He won't have the pressure of being our 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even our 4th option on offense. He can be an efficient scorer by getting his shots within the flow of the offense and not forcing anything.

BNM

Quality! Given that we have Dame/CJ/Nurk/Hark as our 1-4 scoring options, both Collins - who by y'alls accounts has inside/outside game - and Vonleh could be ideal #5 offensive options in the starting unit.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Was this Neil's big splash?

 

[TBpup]

Jackson will go #15 which is where Portland would have picked. I thought they could move up with #15 and #26 so it's the #20 pick that will be interesting to see what it cost them.

 

[joeBlazers]

Great pick. Yes, he is white, but he is NOT a stiff for a 7 footer. He is agile, great hands, excellent foot work, can shoot the midrange with confidence, can rebound and block. He has a great game around the basket and can finish. He can rebound. He has an excellent Basket ball IQ. He will play well with Nurk and can spell Nurk at center.
This is the best pick we could get.

 

[Blazinaway]

ya never know, could we use Zach and other assets for an established player?

 

[PHXBlazer1]

It sucks watching ESPN doing the whole Blazers thing and knowing that we're picking for someone else

 

[TBpup]

Was this Neil's big splash?

As far as I'd heard, this is who they had wanted for some time. If there is something else working, it would probably be a smaller piece involving a player going out.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

Do you think Collins can average 20/10 in his prime?

 

[Boob-No-More]

For sure..just seems like anyone that turns out to be a stud starts right away..projects dont work out very often

Not true. Dirk didn't start right away. Nurkic didn't start right away (or even until he came to Portland in his 3rd season). Fucking Kobe Bryant didn't even start until his 3rd season in the league. I can give you any, many more examples of players who became all stars and even Hall of Famers that didn't start immediately.

I can also give you countless examples of guys who started from day 1 and absolutely sucked (Adam Morrison, anyone?).

Whether, or not, a rookie starts is often more about the team he's joining than the talent of the player. Guys that get drafted by 20-something win teams often start from day 1 because they don't have anyone decent playing in front of them. Guys who go to playoff teams often have veteran incumbents starting in front of them.

Were not unseating GSW this season anyway. Getting younger, assuming this guy pans out as a solid 2-way player, extends our window - just like adding the 22-year old Jusph Nurkic did back in February.

BNM

 

[TBpup]

Do you think Collins can average 20/10 in his prime?

I don't think he will be asked to or even have the opportunity to. With Dame/CJ/Nurk, there isn't room for him to get 20/10.....but I believe he will still do many things that make the team better.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

Not true. Dirk didn't start right away. Nurkic didn't start right away (or even until he came to Portland in his 3rd season). Fucking Kobe Bryant didn't even start until his 3rd season in the league. I can give you any, many more examples of players who became all stars and even Hall of Famers that didn't start immediately.

I can also give you countless examples of guys who started from day 1 and absolutely sucked (Adam Morrison, anyone?).

Whether, or not, a rookie starts is often more about the team he's joining than the talent of the player. Guys that get drafted by 20-something win teams often start from day 1 because they don't have anyone decent playing in front of them. Guys who go to playoff teams often have veteran incumbents starting in front of them.

Were not unseating GSW this season anyway. Getting younger, assuming this guy pans out as a solid 2-way player, extends our window - just like adding the 22-year old Jusph Nurkic did back in February.

BNM

Thanks. That's why I made that post cause I knew someone would tear it down and I didnt wanna do the research.

 

[blue9]

Do you think Collins can average 20/10 in his prime?

For us, he shouldn't need to. If he can do 14/10 that should be enough. Of course I'd love to see Dame drop his scoring and up his assists...

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I'd rather have Justin Jackson & still have the 20th pick

 

[PHXBlazer1]

I don't think he will be asked to or even have the opportunity to. With Dame/CJ/Nurk, there isn't room for him to get 20/10.....but I believe he will still do many things that make the team better.

But if he was on a shit team, is he talented enough to average 20/10? I havent watched him play much

 

[BonesJones]

It sucks watching ESPN doing the whole Blazers thing and knowing that we're picking for someone else

The NBA draft needs to fix that.

 

[BonesJones]

But if he was on a shit team, is he talented enough to average 20/10? I havent watched him play much

Maybe, but probably not. He's a guy who'd get 15 and 10 on very efficient shooting paired with good defense. He is a player with no big weaknesses, and could be strong in every area.

 

[blue9]

But if he was on a shit team, is he talented enough to average 20/10? I havent watched him play much

With enough shots and playing time most bigs can - have we learned nothing from having Aldridge for so many years?

 

[BigGameDamian]

We can still get Love or Aldridge.

 

[Minstrel]

He plays tough inside, strong shot blocker, a bit of a mean steak on the court. But he also has excellent range and touch on his jump shot. A true inside-outside two-way player. What more could you want in a Stotts Power Forward?

I don't know, more melanin?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Is Collins the dude that backed up the bearded guy at gonzaga?

The bearded guy hasn't been drafted yet. That seems to matter

Yeah, as a teenage freshman he backed up the 7''1, 304 lb. 5th year senior.

When Sabonis was 19, he backed up a 7'3" 310 lb. older player on the Soviet national team.

Big deal. Sabonis was better than Tkachenko and Collins is better than Karnowski.

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

We can still get Love or Aldridge.

Not Love!!!! He's white and American born. Where have you been?

BNM

 

[The Professional Fan]

Yeah, as a teenage freshman he backed up the 7''1, 304 lb. 5th year senior.

When Sabonis was 19, he backed up a 7'3" 310 lb. older player on the Soviet national team.

Big deal. Sabonis was better than Tkachenko and Collins is better than Karnowski.

BNM

I think I wasn't clear. My point being, Collins must be the better talent if the guy he backed up hasn't been drafted yet. We're totally on the same page

 

[Gronk Brady]

What is wrong with you people... Neil hit a home run... a 7' PF with a 9'3" standing reach that is the best defensive big and can hit 3's... and played for a winning team.... so every white guy is Meyers... get a life losers

 

[Mr. Robot]

if he was black, everyone would love this pick
I mean, after Butters, Im also suspicious, but I believe Olshey judgment

 

[illmatic99]

Anything else coming, @TBpup ?

 

[Boob-No-More]

I think I wasn't clear. My point being, Collins must be the better talent if the guy he backed up hasn't been drafted yet. We're totally on the same page

Got it.

With so many who haven't even seen him play bashing this pick, I just assumed...

BNM

 

[blue9]

Not Love!!!! He's white and American born. Where have you been?

BNM

And despite his handicaps he's still better than LA!

 

[joeBlazers]

I don't understand the hate. Especially the one based on race. This is just madness.
Let me bring you guys another important point: He is a west coast guy. If he turns out to be a very good player, he would be comfortable signing long term in Portland (not like some loser I won't name here wanting to move to Texas or some bigger market teams). The kid could become a longer term local guy who wouldn't mind playing for small market team.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

if he was black, everyone would love this pick
I mean, after Butters, Im also suspicious, but I believe Olshey judgment

Theres some truth to this. I'm guilty of it Ill tell you right now..but dont tell me its not somewhat justified

 

[TBpup]

Anything else coming, @TBpup ?

Still working on a smaller move from what I've been told. Same place that told me they were going after Collins weeks ago so I'm going to go with he is at least in the ballpark.