Who does Collins remind you of?

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The Professional Fan said:
One thing has stuck with me since we drafted Zach-

How many 7 foot white American born players have succeeded in the NBA? Like, a dude that was drafted as high as Zach? I know this isn’t a new inquiry or observation, I just wanted to bump it up for discussion again.

Who is he? How good can he be?
Click to expand...
Todd McCollough before he got sick. Isn’t Kaman American born? Also Bill Laimbeer (good comparison maybe?). Raef LaFrentz too. He was considered the antidote to Shaq because he could block shots and pull Shaq out of the paint. Shawn Bradley didn’t have too bad of a career. Spencer Hawes?
 
The Professional Fan said:
One thing has stuck with me since we drafted Zach-

How many 7 foot white American born players have succeeded in the NBA? Like, a dude that was drafted as high as Zach? I know this isn’t a new inquiry or observation, I just wanted to bump it up for discussion again.

Who is he? How good can he be?
Click to expand...
Why does color matter.....?
 
He actually reminds me a lot of a young LaMarcus when we drafted him, at least in terms of him being a highly touted defender out of college who was knocked for being too slight to play in the pros. Similar agility and footwork, and both showed signs early on of having some shooting touch. And of course the comp for LA was always Rasheed Wallace. Here's the statistical comparison of each during their season at age 21. Zach compares extremely well so far, but you have to remember it was their first seasons and his second. Even if you compare them all in their second years, he comes off very well. But the sample sizes are still very small. It's interesting to note that Sheed and LA both averaged 30+mpg in their second season, and Zach is averaging only 21, and is feasting on second units.

Anyway, here's my feel for his career trajectory....

Most raw talent:
Sheed --- > LaMarcus -> Collins
(Sheed was just in another class.)

Most mentally all there:
Collins --------> LaMarcus --> Sheed
(Sheed was a much-loved teammate. LaMarcus wasn't. But LaMarcus didn't get techs.)

Guy you want defending the post against a big:
Sheed ------> LaMarcus -> Collins

Guy you want for help defense:
Collins ---> Sheed --> LaMarcus

Most expensive guy to retain long-term (combination of talent/hype/desirability around league):
Sheed -> LaMarcus --> Collins
(I just don't think Collins is a superstar in the making, and probably won't make an All Star game ever. I just don't think he'll be a max contract guy.)

None of them will be remembered as reliable rebounders. Aldridge is our all-time leader in boards, but that's mostly him being here so long. If Collins is with us long-term, I can see him going for the franchise record for blocks--it's interesting that Sheed and LA both were never really close to the record, considering how long they played here. Both guys were in the top 6 in total minutes played here.

None of these guys are going to be confused with true superstars, but they're all guys that if they are healthy, well, you are going to have an advantage at that position at least 5 out of 6 nights.
 
Last edited:
The Professional Fan said:
One thing has stuck with me since we drafted Zach-

How many 7 foot white American born players have succeeded in the NBA? Like, a dude that was drafted as high as Zach? I know this isn’t a new inquiry or observation, I just wanted to bump it up for discussion again.

Who is he? How good can he be?
Click to expand...

Bill Walton
 
mook said:
He actually reminds me a lot of a young LaMarcus when we drafted him, at least in terms of him being a highly touted defender out of college who was knocked for being too slight to play in the pros. Similar agility and footwork, and both showed signs early on of having some shooting touch. And of course the comp for LA was always Rasheed Wallace. Here's the statistical comparison of each during their season at age 21. Zach compares extremely well so far, but you have to remember it was their first seasons and his second. Even if you compare them all in their second years, he comes off very well. But the sample sizes are still very small. It's interesting to note that Sheed and LA both averaged 30+mpg in their second season, and Zach is averaging only 21, and is feasting on second units.

Anyway, here's my feel for his career trajectory....

Most raw talent:
Sheed --- > LaMarcus -> Collins
(Sheed was just in another class.)

Most mentally all there:
Collins --------> LaMarcus --> Sheed
(Sheed was a much-loved teammate. LaMarcus wasn't. But LaMarcus didn't get techs.)

Guy you want defending the post against a big:
Sheed ------> LaMarcus -> Collins

Guy you want for help defense:
Collins ---> Sheed --> LaMarcus

Most expensive guy to retain long-term (combination of talent/hype/desirability around league):
Sheed -> LaMarcus --> Collins
(I just don't think Collins is a superstar in the making, and probably won't make an All Star game ever. I just don't think he'll be a max contract guy.)

None of them will be remembered as reliable rebounders. Aldridge is our all-time leader in boards, but that's mostly him being here so long. If Collins is with us long-term, I can see him going for the franchise record for blocks--it's interesting that Sheed and LA both were never really close to the record, considering how long they played here. Both guys were in the top 6 in total minutes played here.

None of these guys are going to be confused with true superstars, but they're all guys that if they are healthy, well, you are going to have an advantage at that position at least 5 out of 6 nights.
Click to expand...

Good stuff. One of the best things about Zach is he has a Sheed like attitude versus a LaMarsha.
 
McHale...KM played four years in college and entered the league same size as Zfence. In 2 more years Zfence will be much more refined and effective down low.
Also, Zach is finding ways to impact the game on his own as did KM. And he displays the same smarts and heart that KM had. They both have square shoulders and a small head.
 
Hers another one.
Zfender!
sounds like an action toy!

I heard he a mean guitarist and a fender fan.
 
When I hear Bad Motherfucker, I think of the song Bad Motor Scooter by Montrose:



Since they can't say Bad Motherfucker over the air, they should play that guitar rif over the PA whenever Zach enters the game. Could be our own little inside joke.

BNM
 
His offensive game has just taken off like a rocket - since preseason! I don't understand it, because I was getting a little discouraged watching him in SL and preseason. Maybe it's the unstructured swarmball nature of those games and he needs the space he gets from being surrounded by shooters, but he's patient and efficient - it's a joy to watch. And of course his defense has always been great. HE'S THE NEW TIM DUNCAN!!!!!
 
Rastapopoulos said:
His offensive game has just taken off like a rocket - since preseason! I don't understand it, because I was getting a little discouraged watching him in SL and preseason. Maybe it's the unstructured swarmball nature of those games and he needs the space he gets from being surrounded by shooters, but he's patient and efficient - it's a joy to watch. And of course his defense has always been great. HE'S THE NEW TIM DUNCAN!!!!!
Click to expand...

Tim Duncan is not a bad comparison actually. High BBIQ, elite defense. He doesn't have the offense or rebounding of Duncan yet though.
 
Rastapopoulos said:
His offensive game has just taken off like a rocket - since preseason! I don't understand it, because I was getting a little discouraged watching him in SL and preseason. Maybe it's the unstructured swarmball nature of those games and he needs the space he gets from being surrounded by shooters, but he's patient and efficient - it's a joy to watch. And of course his defense has always been great. HE'S THE NEW TIM DUNCAN!!!!!
Click to expand...

I love seeing the way he's moving without the ball. He seems to be developing a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which has led to a lot of easy scoring opportunities, which, in turn, has resulted in his (current) ridiculously high shooting percentages. His current percentages aren't sustainable, but the skill of being in the right place at the right time is.

It's about reading the defense and knowing your teammates. As a good defender, Zach knows what weaknesses to look for in opposing defenses. Playing with good shooters, really opens up lanes for him which he recognizes and takes advantage of. Familiarity with his teammates means knowing where to be and when to be there and trusting that they will find him when he's open. The chemistry with Stauskas is already great and will continue to develop.

BNM
 
Zach was well coach in high school and in college. He was taught how to play defense the correct way and I bet that was taught when was in high school and from that he built on what they taught him in college. Now offense he is smart enough to go open space and go to the rim off the weak side on the baseline. He was taught early as about his foot work especially when he start right and then cross over to the left for left hand shot. He learn that in high school due I seen him do the same move in college.
 
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