Did we pick the wrong Collins?

[Binx]

It depends did you want scoring or defense?

I wanted someone who could play much better than Collins has against a bunch of guys who will be bagging groceries this season. We jumped up 5 spots and traded one of our picks because we thought he was something special, but so far he has looked overmatched by non-NBA players.

That said, I have not given up on Collins at all. I still have high hopes for him and think he can be a very effective NBA player. I love his attitude and I know he's going to work his butt off and get better.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The question with any draft pick is: Are you picking him based on his ceiling or his floor?

With guys like John Collins (or Swanigan), you know they're going to have a higher floor because they've already demonstrated the ability to be effective scorers/rebounders at the college level, and already have NBA bodies or athleticism.

With a guy like Zach, you're projecting out based on his height, length, instincts, and toughness (things that can't really be taught) that when the skillset/physicality catches up with those other attributes, you'll have a better, more complete/effective player overall.

So of course you're not going to see better play from him immediately, because he's got a lower floor than John does. But he wasn't picked for immediate impact; he was picked for his projected ceiling, so there's no way to know if we picked "the wrong Collins" until he's had a couple years to reach it.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

There's no question that Zach Collins is going to become a good/very good basketball player. Instincts!! He has them. Toughness. He has it.

John Collins was my first choice at #15, but I was also hopeful of a trade for someone exactly with this guys name!! Bump this again in 3 years and let's compare.

 

[Sarni]

I wanted someone who could play much better than Collins has against a bunch of guys who will be bagging groceries this season. We jumped up 5 spots and traded one of our picks because we thought he was something special, but so far he has looked overmatched by non-NBA players.

That said, I have not given up on Collins at all. I still have high hopes for him and think he can be a very effective NBA player. I love his attitude and I know he's going to work his butt off and get better.

Seriously, you just wanted someone who can play well in Summer League three weeks after being drafted? He's been here for 3 freaking weeks, well good that you have not 'yet given up on him'.

It's WAY too early to have any sort of meaningful opinion about him. It's going to stay that way for a good while, too.

 

[Schilly]

SMH, when will people understand that summer league has so little meaning. If you look at most rosters there are no more than 4 guys who will be on NBA rosters on opening night. Maybe another 3-4 will be in G-League and the rest will be overseas or not playing at all.

Some players are just great rat ball players who prosper in pick up game environments. Other players including all star level players suck in pickup games but excell in a structured system. Pat C for example looks way better during the regular season when the team is functioning as a unit.

 

[julius]

Deflecting 101. Nice

 

[KeepOnRollin]

P.S. Not an endorsement of him just thought it was worth posting.

 

[Binx]

P.S. Not an endorsement of him just thought it was worth posting.

Definitely worth posting.

 

[STOMP]

Its called trolling. Some people get their rocks off on that kinda stuff.

Since forever, if any poster does anything but heap praise on any Gonzaga player your hackles go up. This thread isn't trolling, we're on a Trailblazer message board & we're just talking Trailblazer hoops.

btw, as you might recall I grew up a Wake Forest fan (where John Collins starred). Despite that, I supported the Zack Collins pick as I continue to value length and defense from the Bigs. I could turn out to be wrong though, it happens, & John Collins brings a lot.

STOMP

 

[dviss1]

P.S. Not an endorsement of him just thought it was worth posting.

AND THE LAWD SAID, YA GOT TA RISE UP!

RIP Stuart Scott

 

[Denny Crane]

SMH, when will people understand that summer league has so little meaning. If you look at most rosters there are no more than 4 guys who will be on NBA rosters on opening night. Maybe another 3-4 will be in G-League and the rest will be overseas or not playing at all.

Some players are just great rat ball players who prosper in pick up game environments. Other players including all star level players suck in pickup games but excell in a structured system. Pat C for example looks way better during the regular season when the team is functioning as a unit.

Lonny Baxter won MVP at least once. Maybe twice. Lots of guys looked great and didn't pan out.

Josh McRoberts did pan out somewhat, but it took a few years. He looked great in summer league.

 

[STOMP]

We definitely picked the right guy... undersized PF like John Collins that can't shoot and don't play defense are a dime a dozen... maybe he will have a long career but his upside is limited. Zach Collins is a rare bread... 7' with elite defensive instincts and can hit the 3... he is 20 lbs and some experience away from being a star

Zack Collins measured 6'10.25 at the combine
John Collins measured 6'8.25 at the combine
Draymond Green measured 6'5.75 at the combine

All three are now NBA 4s. Green is arguably the best 4 currently playing and was just honored as the DPOTY despite being a 2nd round selection. While we're all PTB fans here and hope for the best for our rooting interest, there is nothing definite about which Collins might blossom in the league or even if Zach can gain 20 lbs.

STOMP

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Check this out!
http://oregonsportsnews.com/the-2017-portland-trail-blazers-draft-was-all-about-numbers/

Darryl Howerton of Hoop.NBA.com wrote a great piece ranking draft prospects using a pretty advanced set of statistics. To read more on how he came to his rankings.

“Collins is the best all-around player in the draft, with an elite defensive skill set that makes him both a quality rim protector (4.1 blocks per 40 minutes) as well as a nimble pick-and-roll defender, boasting an individual 79.4 defensive rating (team points allowed per 100 possessions while on-court) at Gonzaga as a freshman. His per-40 points and rebound averages (23.2 and 13.6) forecast offensive production, but it is Collins’ efficiency that has smart GMs swooning over his potential (.703 true shooting percentage, which includes 10-of-21 makes on his occasional three-point shot attempts). It is tough to find fault with a defensive anchor that makes 74 percent of his free throws, 67 percent of his two-point attempts and 48 percent of his college three-pointers.”

 

[MickZagger]

Since forever, if any poster does anything but heap praise on any Gonzaga player your hackles go up. This thread isn't trolling, we're on a Trailblazer message board & we're just talking Trailblazer hoops.

btw, as you might recall I grew up a Wake Forest fan (where John Collins starred). Despite that, I supported the Zack Collins pick as I continue to value length and defense from the Bigs. I could turn out to be wrong though, it happens, & John Collins brings a lot.

STOMP

I didn't say that the thread was trolling.

The towel waving white guy taking Meyers place on the end of the bench was a trolling comment. That comment was made off of what, 2 summer league games?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

John Collins is physically developed - he wont get much bigger than he is already.

Zach Collins is nowhere near his physical development potential.

I was on both bandwagons from the getgo - you take Zach over John 10 times out of 10.

I have to admit though - John is looking a lot like a young Blake Griffin in Vegas!

 

[H.C.]

John Collins is physically developed - he wont get much bigger than he is already.

Zach Collins is nowhere near his physical development potential.

I was on both bandwagons from the getgo - you take Zach over John 10 times out of 10.

I have to admit though - John is looking a lot like a young Blake Griffin in Vegas!

lies