Zach Collins is ready

[jlprk]

Can Zach be a center in the modern NBA; can't see any reason why not.

Leg power. It'll be hard to thicken those stilts. But Stotts' system might let him rove outside more, so maybe a center can get away with those toothpicks.

 

[handiman]

To me, it's a serious question that needs to be answered, the sooner the better. If Portland can't afford to keep two centers, then do they need to trade one soon? Can Zach be a center in the modern NBA; can't see any reason why not.

We've seen nothing yet to indicate that Nurk and Collins are not a perfect long-term pairing. Fix other roster problems before breaking them up for financial reasons.

I've never bought into the company line that Collins is a center.

 

[Labinot41]

Zach has 2 more years on his rookie contract. We can wait.

3 more years

 

[BonesJones]

3 more years

Technically 3.5 more years.

 

[mook]

 

[Mr. Robot]

Rice at it again:

dear Mike, Nurk is playing his 4th year in the NBA and he is what he is, with big upside
Collins is playing his 1st year in the NBA and has played couple of games, talented player with big upside too

the thing is, as of now, Nurk is a sure thing, the worst thing that can happen is that hell stay the same player he is now, with Collins, hes not a sure thing as of now and nobody knows if and how much both of them are going to improve in the future

so lets wait three years, see how good both Nurk and Collins are going to be and then you make a decision if you must

 

[mook]

When we had Aldridge and Oden, everybody naturally assumed LMA was our PF of the future. Nobody really talked about him at center.

Collins is maybe 2 inches taller than Aldridge, but he's got the same build LMA had when drafted, and he's got a lot of perimeter skills early on like LMA. It's odd to me that people would talk about Collins and Nurk as an either/or deal. One is a bruising center, and the other is an NBA PF.

I know the game is getting smaller and faster, but I think we can run both of them. Especially if Collins continues to develop his three point shot (and Nurk focuses more on pick-and-rolls).

 

[mook]

On a related note, if anybody in the media could please ask Stotts about Aminu I would really appreciate it. As in, "Do you see Chief as only being worth using as a Power Forward? You've never tried a lineup with Chief/Collins/Nurk, when that seems like an obvious way to put your best defenders out there. This despite running a myriad of starting lineups this season. Do you foresee a way for this trio to co-exist as starters? If not, why not?"

This one questions just kills me. Especially now that Collins is starting to hit his threes.

 

[Mediocre Man]

On a related note, if anybody in the media could please ask Stotts about Aminu I would really appreciate it. As in, "Do you see Chief as only being worth using as a Power Forward? You've never tried a lineup with Chief/Collins/Nurk, when that seems like an obvious way to put your best defenders out there. This despite running a myriad of starting lineups this season. Do you foresee a way for this trio to co-exist as starters? If not, why not?"

This one questions just kills me. Especially now that Collins is starting to hit his threes.

Starting to hit his threes? Last 10 games for Collins 3pt shooting

1-1
1-2
0-0
0-3
0-3
0-0
1-3
1-4
1-3
1-1

What games are some of you watching? What channel is it on? Maybe Texas doesn't get that channel?

 

[Minstrel]

Starting to hit his threes? Last 10 games for Collins 3pt shooting

1-1
1-2
0-0
0-3
0-3
0-0
1-3
1-4
1-3
1-1

30% is pretty poor--at that rate, it's definitely not worth him shooting three-pointers, long-term. On the other hand, it's only one make away from a league average 35%. He's at least showing the potential to be an average three-point shooter and maybe even a plus one. Prior to those 10 games, he took many fewer per game and was under 30%. Raising his percentage a bit on significantly more shots I'd say is starting to hit his threes. But he's not yet where he needs to be as a real threat, of course.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

30% is pretty poor--at that rate, it's definitely not worth him shooting three-pointers, long-term. On the other hand, it's only one make away from a league average 35%. He's at least showing the potential to be an average three-point shooter and maybe even a plus one. Prior to those 10 games, he took many fewer per game and was under 30%. Raising his percentage a bit on significantly more shots I'd say is starting to his his threes. But he's not yet where he needs to be as a real threat, of course.

I don't think it's a matter of shooting ability as it is comfort level. When he gets more comfortable, he'll be a 38% 3FG% guy. The stats don't tell the story.

 

[MickZagger]

Collins shot is as pure as it gets. The more you put up in the NBA the more you feel comfortable. Is he even 20 yet?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Collins shot is as pure as it gets. The more you put up in the NBA the more you feel comfortable. Is he even 20 yet?

Yep, turned 20 back on November 19.

BNM

 

[Pinwheel1]

Hitting his 3 pt shots is not a long term concern for me. It takes time for rookies (especially one and done bigs) to adjust to the farther 3 point line. It will come.

My only concern for the young 7 footer (since I want him to play next to Nurk) is can he guard the 3 pt line. And I think it is a possible.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Starting to hit his threes? Last 10 games for Collins 3pt shooting

1-1
1-2
0-0
0-3
0-3
0-0
1-3
1-4
1-3
1-1

What games are some of you watching? What channel is it on? Maybe Texas doesn't get that channel?

He said starting to hit his threes. Not, he's shooting great, or even an average 3-point shooter. The fact is, as bad as those numbers are, they are an improvement over his previous shooting.

So, he's 6-20 over his last 10 games. Kyle Korver, one of the the greatest 3-point shooters in the history of the game had many similar stretches his rookie year (4-21 in his first 15 games).

It takes rookies time to adjust to the speed of the game and the increased 3-point distance. Collins got off to a horrendous start. Just a couple weeks ago, his PER was -4.9. Now, it's +7.6. So, he's obviously starting to adjust, and while his 3-point shooting still isn't good, or even average, it has improved.

If you just look at his last 4 games, he's shot 4-11, that's a 3FG% of .364, which is a fraction above league average. Yeah, I know, small sample size, but when a player has only played in 25 games, everything is a small sample size.

BNM

 

[SIeepwalker]

Hitting his 3 pt shots is not a long term concern for me. It takes time for rookies (especially one and done bigs) to adjust to the farther 3 point line. It will come.

My only concern for the young 7 footer (since I want him to play next to Nurk) is can he guard the 3 pt line. And I think it is a possible.

...Isn't he already doing this ?

 

[Pinwheel1]

...Isn't he already doing this ?

I don't know. Has he guarded a lot of quality stretch 4's yet? He has not started many games so I doubt he has covered too many starters. I want him to eventually start so I want to see how he does against other starting PF's. Tonight is a good test.

 

[Scalma]

I don't know. Has he guarded a lot of quality stretch 4's yet? He has not started many games so I doubt he has covered too many starters. I want him to eventually start so I want to see how he does against other starting PF's. Tonight is a good test.

I mean he was guarding Ryan Anderson the other night and has been put on about every stretch four we’ve played against since he’s been in the rotation.