Game Thread GAME# 77: GRIZZLIES @ BLAZERS - APRIL 1, 2018 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

[Wizard Mentor]

Not even joking, I think Zach is more fit to guard wings than centers at this stage. And that’s a compliment. But he’s still got ways to go physically before he anchors in the post.

Just so that you know, our announcers have said that Collins has already added 7 lbs. of muscle.

 

[Scalma]

Just so that you know, our announcers have said that Collins has already added 7 lbs. of muscle.

Yeah it’s noticable.

Only 25 more to go lol.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Yeah it’s noticable.

Only 25 more to go lol.

25 more and he can't slide his feet on defense. How about 7-10 lbs. muscle?

 

[Scalma]

25 more and he can't slide his feet on defense. How about 7-10 lbs. muscle?

Anthony Davis weighs somewhere between 250-260 and had a similar build to Zach coming into the league. I think Zach has the frame to put on weight without losing athleticism.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Anthony Davis weighs somewhere between 250-260 and had a similar build to Zach coming into the league. I think Zach has the frame to put on weight without losing athleticism.

From your lips to god's ears....

 

[Scalma]

From your lips to god's ears....

Just for reference, here’s Davis as a rookie.



Now here’s Zach

 

[Jade Falcon]

Whoa there. Let's not start making comparisons to a PF of Anthony's caliber to that of Zach. Nobody outside of Gonzaga knew who Zach was. Whereas Anthony had generational talent and it was very obvious in college.

I saw we play Biggie in place of Ed, but he is so flat-footed and slow. He hustles, but will that be enough?

And I think Zach is going to suffer just a bit without his mentor on the floor. That should be something to take into consideration as well.

 

[Scalma]

Whoa there. Let's not start making comparisons to a PF of Anthony's caliber to that of Zach. Nobody outside of Gonzaga knew who Zach was. Whereas Anthony had generational talent and it was very obvious in college.

I saw we play Biggie in place of Ed, but he is so flat-footed and slow. He hustles, but will that be enough?

And I think Zach is going to suffer just a bit without his mentor on the floor. That should be something to take into consideration as well.

Zach was a McDonald’s all American, a five star recruit, and a lottery pick in one of the best draft classes in the past decade. He wasn’t an unknown lol.

I agree about the Davis part. Zach’s gonna miss him.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Zach was a McDonald’s all American, a five star recruit, and a lottery pick in one of the best draft classes in the past decade. He wasn’t an unknown lol.

I agree about the Davis part. Zach’s gonna miss him.

Five star recruit....All American....yeah, well, Davis went #1 overall for a reason. Zach didn't.

Unless you want me to believe that, had they been in the same draft class, you would have picked Zach over Davis.....?

 

[Scalma]

Five star recruit....All American....yeah, well, Davis went #1 overall for a reason. Zach didn't.

Unless you want me to believe that, had they been in the same draft class, you would have picked Zach over Davis.....?

You said no one outside Gonzaga knew who he was. That’s all I was replying to.

Don’t know where I ever said Zach was as good as Davis, nevermind better.

 

[Jade Falcon]

You said no one outside Gonzaga knew who he was. That’s all I was replying to.

Don’t know where I ever said Zach was as good as Davis, nevermind better.

I'm sorry. Let me back up just a bit here and say that I think it's unwise to start making comparisons between Zach Collins and Anthony Davis. In any respect.

They don't even match up on build. Anthony's wingspan is half the length of the court, and his overall physique is way bigger.

I'm just saying.....let's not jump ahead of ourselves and compare the two. Give Zach 3 years, then see where he is. That's all.

 

[Scalma]

I'm sorry. Let me back up just a bit here and say that I think it's unwise to start making comparisons between Zach Collins and Anthony Davis. In any respect.

They don't even match up on build. Anthony's wingspan is half the length of the court, and his overall physique is way bigger.

I'm just saying.....let's not jump ahead of ourselves and compare the two. Give Zach 3 years, then see where he is. That's all.

Build:

Zach: 7’0”, 232 lbs, 9’3” standing reach, 7’1” wingspan

Davis: 6’10.5”, 221lbs, 9’0” standing reach, 7’5” wingspan

How does that not match up?

 

[Jade Falcon]

Build:

Zach: 7’0”, 232 lbs, 9’3” standing reach, 7’1” wingspan

Davis: 6’10.5”, 221lbs, 9’0” standing reach, 7’5” wingspan

How does that not match up?

Uh uh. I'm sorry, but stand the two of them next to each other. The difference is night and day. Davis is HUGE. Collins looks like a pencil with legs compared to him.

I get it: Davis has built up his frame since he was drafted; as anyone of his caliber should. So....again.....let's give Collins 3 years and see where he's at then. It's too early to compare the two of them.

 

[Scalma]

Uh uh. I'm sorry, but stand the two of them next to each other. The difference is night and day. Davis is HUGE. Collins looks like a pencil with legs compared to him.

I get it: Davis has built up his frame since he was drafted; as anyone of his caliber should. So....again.....let's give Collins 3 years and see where he's at then. It's too early to compare the two of them.

The measurements I listed were from their respective combines. I don’t think anyone said they’re built the same now so I don’t know what your point is. Mine is that Davis is a great template for what Collins could become (mainly PHYSICALLY speaking, but their skill sets have similarities as well.)

 

[Jade Falcon]

The measurements I listed were from their respective combines. I don’t think anyone said they’re built the same now so I don’t know what your point is. Mine is that Davis is a great template for what Collins could become (mainly PHYSICALLY speaking, but their skill sets have similarities as well.)

Okay. I don't feel strongly enough about this to keep running around in circles here. We'll agree to disagree.

My point: let's not make comparisons yet between Anthony Davis and Zach Collins. Regardless of what their physical stats are.

Moving on now.

 

[H.C.]

Nurk if he stays out of foul trouble & engaged will get more minutes in the absence of Davis.
Collins will get more minutes.
And...
Nards will get minutes

 

[kjironman1]

He's 6'9, can barely get off the ground. That kills him when trying to finish inside as well as defenisvely. He also can't slide his feet to stay in front of perimeter 4s...

How is more minutes going to change that?

No he ain't a vertical leaper type guy but playing time gets him experience on how to work around that. The book on Swanigan is he works really hard. Doesn't quit. He has tenacity to fight for position and is teachable.
Footwork is also all about experience. Minutes always changes that.

 

[kjironman1]

Just so that you know, our announcers have said that Collins has already added 7 lbs. of muscle.

And you can see the difference. Was looking at a picture last week on this.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Because center and power forward are two different positions?

Well yes obviously. You think Nurk could play PF ?

 

[Scalma]

Well yes obviously. You think Nurk could play PF ?

Not sure if this is rhetorical.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

No he ain't a vertical leaper type guy but playing time gets him experience on how to work around that. The book on Swanigan is he works really hard. Doesn't quit. He has tenacity to fight for position and is teachable.
Footwork is also all about experience. Minutes always changes that.

Correct.
No reason Swanigan can't be a non- dumbass Zbo.

 

[Scalma]

I think Swanigan will be ok defensively as long as he doesn’t get switched on the perimeter. He’s not as tall as you’d like but his length is fine. More importantly he’s smart and works hard. That can make up for athletic deficiencies.

That being said, he still has to keep his weight in check. He can’t fluctuate like he has since being drafted. I also have questions about his ability (or inability) to get his shot off in the post.

But for the next week or so I’d like to see him play rotational minutes and see how he’s progressed. He’s not going to be the difference between us winning and losing games.

 

[TBpup]

I want a big enough lead that we can see some of this. He was going against Stephan Adams a good portion of the time and not only does he show the hook from various range, he steps out for a 20'er that hits nothing but the bottom of the net.

 

[Scalma]

I want a big enough lead that we can see some of this. He was going against Stephan Adams a good portion of the time and not only does he show the hook from various range, he steps out for a 20'er that hits nothing but the bottom of the net.

I think he’ll fit well in Terry’s system, on both ends. Offensively he’s good in the pick and roll and his FT shooting suggests his jumper will be a legit weapon as well. Defensively we usually keep our centers from switching so he’ll be protected and allowed to focus on his strength; clogging the paint. YouTube has a full game from Eurobasket (Greece vs Slovenia) where he controls the paint against a team that featured Doncic and Dragic.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Baldwin listed as broy?
Thats funny.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Why couldn't he play on the perimeter as a C? Meyers does it all the time. He could still pick n pop, and a lot of Portland's offense is symetrical, meaning there's no difference between PF or C (for example, all Horns sets are symmetrical, with 2 high posts and the play running based on the side of the entry pass. Portland does this a lot.)

Defensively, does it make a huge difference? Whats the harm in having him guard backup Cs instead of PFs? We still need to ein a couple games, he should play some C until we clinch the 3 seed.

And we lose leads when we do. You know this T.

 

[Strenuus]

And we lose leads when we do. You know this T.

We lose leads, you lose dignity knowing you bought his jersey.

We all lose.

 

[Chris Craig]

He looked God awful last night.

He had a moment

 

[Titan]

#48Wins let’s go Blazers

 

[Almir]

Will try to watch the game tonight (4:30 am). Go Blazers!

I really started to (not just support) love this team. Cant wait for each match. Playoff will be special event in my home in Bosnia and will watch it on the same way we watch soccer games here...beer, a lot of beef and cheese...

Must have some Blazers shirt. I hope e-bay will be solution.