You guys like Collins?

[Scalma]

I'll disagree with you on that one (and let's not get carried away, we're 2 games above the 8th seed in our own conference. Miami is no slouch). They just look far more advanced at this stage in their careers. Let's see their progression over the next few years.

We’re eleven games over .500 in the West. Miami is three over in the east. There’s a difference.

 

[Natebishop3]

Cute. An 8th seed and a lottery team. If Collins played on a shit team he’d get unconditional minutes too.

And if you think the OKC game was Collins first good game, you aren’t paying attention. He’s earned the minutes he has gotten.

This might hold water if we had a decent power forward on our roster.... but we don't.

 

[Scalma]

This might hold water if we had a decent power forward on our roster.... but we don't.

Aminu is a power forward in Terry’s eyes, and like it or not, that’s all that matters.

 

[Natebishop3]

Aminu is a power forward in Terry’s eyes, and like it or not, that’s all that matters.

Or Terry plays him at PF because we have literally nobody else who can play that position consistently?

 

[Scalma]

Or Terry plays him at PF because we have literally nobody else who can play that position consistently?

When Aminu was injured, Vonleh filled in and our starting unit was affective on both ends of the court.

 

[Natebishop3]

When Aminu was injured, Vonleh filled in and our starting unit was affective on both ends of the court.

Biggest difference between Aminu and Vonleh is that Chief isn't afraid to shoot. Vonleh always seemed like such a wallflower on offense. It's too bad because if Vonleh had shown even an ounce of confidence and assertiveness on offense, I think we would have kept him.

 

[Scalma]

Biggest difference between Aminu and Vonleh is that Chief isn't afraid to shoot. Vonleh always seemed like such a wallflower on offense. It's too bad because if Vonleh had shown even an ounce of confidence and assertiveness on offense, I think we would have kept him.

This is a different argument

Point is, Stotts hasn’t really given anyone else a real chance at PF outside of Aminu unless he had to. But when he’s had to, other guys have stepped up. The thunder game and the lakers game (don’t remember if Aminu was available for that one) were the only two games I remember Terry trusting Collins with heavy/late minutes, and he delivered both times. So it’s kind of hard to judge what we do have.

 

[Orion Bailey]

He had his first good game against a good opponent. And he finally showed some flashes.

Still doesn't change the FACT that there have been multiple rookies picked after him that have been better.

Blah Blah Blah.. rookies in a position that can typically come right out and make more of an impact.

All bigs take more time. You of all people should know this.

Lets flag this and see how you feel two years from now.

 

[Natebishop3]

Blah Blah Blah.. rookies in a position that can typically come right out and make more of an impact.

All bigs take more time. You of all people should know this.

Lets flag this and see how you feel two years from now.

Not saying Collins is going to end up the same way, but I heard these same arguments about Vonleh and Meyers.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Not saying Collins is going to end up the same way, but I heard these same arguments about Vonleh and Meyers.

Neither of them had the mindset Collins has. Not even close.

Neither of them have YET to show the defensive instincts Collins has ALREADY shown.

And did you see his smooth swish3's?

 

[Natebishop3]

Neither of them had the mindset Collins has. Not even close.

Neither of them have YET to show the defensive instincts Collins has ALREADY shown.

And did you see his smooth swish3's?

Again, not saying Collins is going to end up the same way, but I'm just over the "big guys take more time" argument, and Vonleh was always a pretty damn good defender.... he just couldn't really contribute on offense. I think Collins could be a DPOY type of talent though. I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

[Scalma]

I’d argue that Collins is developing faster than most. Defensively he plays like a vet. His positioning is almost always there and the way he contests vertically is also advanced for his age. Almost all his struggles are physical. That’s not going to last.

As for his shot, it’s also asking a lot from a guy who’s still adjusting to the NBA and doesn’t get plays run for him, to shoot in rhythm. I have no worries that his percentages will be above average once he gets more consistent looks.

The one part of his game that’s still TBD is whether he’ll be anything more than a shooter. Lately I’ve seen him take guys off the dribble and his footwork is advanced, so I’m cautiously optimistic he will be.

 

[BonesJones]

BBert, I disagree that Zach is the anti-Meyers. In fact, both are energetic bigs and it appears that Meyers may be helping Zach with swish3 pointers that help him. I imagine that these 2 bigs can and do help each other, and offer a lot to handle when both are on the court.

Meyers is helping Zach...? Hah!

 

[BonesJones]

Take a look at what Jarrett Allen and Bam Adebayo have been doing this past month. Two guys his age, playing his position who have been finally getting consistent minutes.

And those guys have no upside past bring an Ed Davis type of player. Michael Carter-Williams was ROY during CJs rookie season, and he was younger.

 

[swish3]

Yes, Meyers is helping Zach with the swish3, and has a lot of similarity with him. These 2 bigs are enthusiastic hard workers who speak humbly and can work well together. When Zach learns better offense and Meyers advances his defense (and both happens in practice), these 2 together can be a powerful strategy in the games going forward.

 

[Scalma]

Yes, Meyers is helping Zach with the swish3, and has a lot of similarity with him. These 2 bigs are enthusiastic hard workers who speak humbly and can work well together. When Zach learns better offense and Meyers advances his defense (and both happens in practice), these 2 together can be a powerful strategy in the games going forward.

Good god.

 

[Driew]

Yes, Meyers is helping Zach with the swish3, and has a lot of similarity with him. These 2 bigs are enthusiastic hard workers who speak humbly and can work well together. When Zach learns better offense and Meyers advances his defense (and both happens in practice), these 2 together can be a powerful strategy in the games going forward.

You're funny.

 

[BonesJones]

Yes, Meyers is helping Zach with the swish3, and has a lot of similarity with him. These 2 bigs are enthusiastic hard workers who speak humbly and can work well together. When Zach learns better offense and Meyers advances his defense (and both happens in practice), these 2 together can be a powerful strategy in the games going forward.

You're making stuff up that you have no way of knowing.

Meyers will never advance his defense. This is his 6th year in the league.

Dude was awful in the OKC game. Came in and immediately OKC started scoring in the paint at will.

He's garbage. Your obsession over him is weird.

 

[illmatic99]

And those guys have no upside past bring an Ed Davis type of player. Michael Carter-Williams was ROY during CJs rookie season, and he was younger.

How do you know that? They actually seem pretty skilled from what I've seen.

Collins is actually older than Allen and Bam is only 4 months older than Zach.

 

[swish3]

Meyers made mistakes in the OKC game, as do most all of the Blazers in their down moments. But he is progressing and I imagine that is coming from dedicated hard work. The Blazers do help each other, and we fans can look forward to improvement that they give each other as teammates. It makes sense to look on the positive side for a team that is outperforming expectations. These guys are improving each other.

Why not look at the positive factors instead of just inflicting self-doubt from fans who could be encouraging?

 

[BonesJones]

How do you know that? They actually seem pretty skilled from what I've seen.

Collins is actually older than Allen and Bam is only 4 months older than Zach.

Because I've watched them play and the skills they have don't make for high orbits players? Bams a good rebounder and decent defender. He's slightly undersized and his defensive instincts are solid but not great. I highly doubt he'll ever turn into more than an Ed Davis type of offensive player, and nothing suggests otherwise.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Because I've watched therm play and the scholars they have don't make for high orbits players? Bams a good rebounder and decent defender. He's slightly undersized and his device instincts are solid but not great. I highly doubt he'll ever turn into more than an Ed Davis type of offensive player, and nothing suggests otherwise.

Bam's got a jumpshot that he hasn't utilized much this year. He's definitely got offensive upside.

 

[BonesJones]

Meyers made mistakes in the OKC game, as do most all of the Blazers in their down moments. But he is progressing and I imagine that is coming from dedicated hard work. The Blazers do help each other, and we fans can look forward to improvement that they give each other as teammates. It makes sense to look on the positive side for a team that is outperforming expectations. These guys are improving each other.

Why not look at the positive factors instead of just inflicting self-doubt from fans who could be encouraging?

Yes, all Meyers does is inflict doubt. It's on him ti encourage us, which he hasn't.

How is he progressing? For the first time in forever, he played meaningful minutes and was awful. The team is the 3 seed and Meyers hasn't been playing. They're related.

 

[BonesJones]

Bam's got a jumpshot that he hasn't utilized much this year. He's definitely got offensive upside.

He's never going to be a knockdown shooter. Might be able to hit shots occasionally but bit consistently. Collins has more upside on birth sides of the ball. Hard to explain but should be obvious.

 

[illmatic99]

Bam's got a jumpshot that he hasn't utilized much this year. He's definitely got offensive upside.

But wait, our guy is great! And no one else has upside!

 

[Scalma]

I’ve always liked bam, I think he’ll be a good player. He’s athletic, and fits the modern game with his defensive versatility. His free throw shooting also suggests he’ll eventually be a threat from outside.

But he doesn’t bring anything that Collins also doesn’t, and Collins provides more length.

 

[42N8Bounce]

I do like Collins. He's an exciting young player. I see a lot of potential. He's smart, skilled, aware, and he has a bit of a mean streak. What's not to like?

His haircut.
Trade him.

 

[Scalma]

His haircut.
Trade him.

I like it?

 

[Chris Craig]

I like Collins. He is a hungry, energetic player. He's a hard worker and has a good deal of potential. I just hope that potential can be seen under Stotts. Collins reminds me of a younger Meyers who is actually excited to play defense and can take hits to the face eyes open. Lets keep our fingers crossed he doens't go down the same path as meyers and never develop into what he could be. Collins is coming into his own and seems pretty confident. I want to see more production. Is he the best big in the draft I don't know. Markkanen might beat him out for that spot.

 

[BonesJones]

But wait, our guy is great! And no one else has upside!

You really don't think Zach has more upside that Bam? Potential+Attitude+WorkEthic+Mindset.