Zach Collins: MIP?

[mook]

As an aside, barring some type of trade, etc., is it a foregone conclusion that Bazemore will be our starting 3? It'll be interesting to see how he fits into all this new offense.

I don't see it as a foregone conclusion at all. I bet Rodney Hood doesn't either, especially considering he took a pay cut to return. Even Hezonja stands a good chance.

 

[ABM]

FWIW.....

https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...-re-attached-injury-update-zach-collins-thumb

The tendon "recently just re-attached": An injury update on Zach Collins' thumb

The NBA offseason is a chance for every player's body to get right.

For Trail Blazers center Zach Collins, this summer has been about healing his right thumb that was injured during the postseason versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, while also trying to refine his skills and put on muscle mass.

In a recent sit down interview with NBC Sports Northwest in his hometown of Las Vegas, Collins explained how the injury occurred and the progress of his healing.

“It was in Game 2 of the first round and I just went up, someone swiped down and just tore the tendon in my thumb, Collins said. "It recently just re-attached after the season and now it’s just about getting it stronger again. It’s progressing really well."

While the injury didn't sideline Collins during the Trail Blazers run to the Western Conference Finals, he was forced to wear a wrap to ease any pain and help stabilize the thumb. He continues to sport one even during workouts.

Collins has been consulting the Blazers’ hand specialist in Portland, who has been pleased with his progression. He is confident the tendon will heal on its own without surgery. "Luckily, there’s no surgery or anything, so that's good,” Collins added.

 

[JoshuaHall]

I hope he gets his fouling in check.

Although it kinda reminds me of the Oden days when Oden would get elbowed in the face and the refs would call a foul on Oden, somehow.

Z-Co is pretty decent at going straight up... then getting called for fouls. It's kinda weird, imo.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I hope he gets his fouling in check.

Although it kinda reminds me of the Oden days when Oden would get elbowed in the face and the refs would call a foul on Oden, somehow.

Z-Co is pretty decent at going straight up... then getting called for fouls. It's kinda weird, imo.

I find most of his fouls don't come from going straight up, most of them are on the floor, like not being set on screens, or reaching instead of moving his feet. I think his ability to go straight up is pretty good. I may be wrong here, that's just been my observation.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

4.6 pf/36 is manageable. Kemp was around that for the first 5 years of his career, and still played 30+ mpg. Just need Stotts to actually let him play through his fouls rather than just yanking him early according to conventional wisdom.

 

[hoopsjock]

4.6 pf/36 is manageable. Kemp was around that for the first 5 years of his career, and still played 30+ mpg. Just need Stotts to actually let him play through his fouls rather than just yanking him early according to conventional wisdom.

One thing about that is Zach hasn't shown he can avoid picking up another foul a minute later. It seemed like if he got 2 quick fouls and was left in he'd often pick up a 3rd rather quickly. He's got to fix that.

 

[tester551]

I find most of his fouls don't come from going straight up, most of them are on the floor, like not being set on screens, or reaching instead of moving his feet. I think his ability to go straight up is pretty good. I may be wrong here, that's just been my observation.

Fixing the screening issue would eliminate 1-2 fouls per game.

 

[James lamphear]

Some of his screening foul is do to guards not waiting or not using the screen properly.

 

[-Ace-]

I don't even remember him having a thumb injury in the playoffs.

 

[ABM]

https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/...or-coming-nba-season-says-one-nba-writer.html

By Tim Brown | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Zach Collins is poised for a larger role in Portland with all the turnover on the Trail Blazers’ new-look roster, and at least one NBA scribe believes he could make a big jump to become one of the NBA’s brightest young stars.

In his latest story about “The Next Siakams," D.J. Foster of The Ringer highlights Collins at the top of his list of five burgeoning NBA players who could make the jump from promising talent to superstar-level contributor in the 2019-20 season, much like Pascal Siakam did with the Toronto Raptors in 2018-19.


Collins, who is eyeing a starting spot with the Blazers this coming season, posted averages of 6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and almost 1 block per game last season, but it was in the postseason where Collins showed off the kind of dramatic impact he can have on the court. During the final two games of the Trail Blazers’ seven-game series win over the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, Collins became a force inside. He tallied 21 points and nine blocks combined in those games while providing the kind of wrinkle Portland needed to edge a very evenly-match Nuggets team. If Collins can build on that momentum and be more consistent with the larger opportunity in front of him, Foster thinks it could mean big things for the Blazers in 2019-20.

" ... Collins had shown all the tools to be an effective rim runner and shot blocker as a rookie—good end-to-end speed, soft hands, the ability to track the ball—and, in his rookie season, he even registered the best defensive field goal percentage allowed at the rim (47 percent) of any player who appeared in at least 40 games."

“Recently acquired veterans like Hassan Whiteside, Anthony Tolliver, and Pau Gasol will be tempting to play, but the best thing for Portland’s long-term health would be for Collins to grow into the rare mobile 7-footer who can block shots and stretch the floor, no matter whether that time comes at the 4 or the 5. Stotts will have to make concessions while Collins continues to add strength, but they’re worth making for a big who can do so many different things. Portland needs someone other than Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum to pop, and Collins is the best bet to do it.”

Do you think Collins is worthy of that consideration? With the increase in minutes and opportunity, is Zach Collins really in line to become the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2019-20?

 

[PDXFonz]

In the same way I can't have sex with Jessica Alba. I technically could, but no, I can't

Is it because he won’t get the volume that other players and MIP candidates will get?

Or is it because she likes to bump zombie threads?

 

[ABM]

Is it because he won’t get the volume that other players and MIP candidates will get?

Or is it because she likes to bump zombie threads?

I think you missed the memo on so-called zombie threads.

 

[PDXFonz]

I think you missed the memo on so-called zombie threads.

I was just wondering why MM can’t have sex with Alba, if she did that it would explain. Beautiful, talented, but a shame she likes to bump zombie threads. That’s a deal breaker!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He'll be much improved. Obviously, he won't win MIP, or even be in consideration. He won't score enough points for that, which is fine by me. I'll judge his improvement tangentially, through TEAM success and the eye test (as opposed to individual stats).

 

[Orion Bailey]

I don't see it as a foregone conclusion at all. I bet Rodney Hood doesn't either, especially considering he took a pay cut to return. Even Hezonja stands a good chance.

Hezonja could take some heat off dame bringing the ball down and that bench would ve damned good.
Hood/bazemore/simons/skal/whiteside?

 

[Haakzilla]

...definite contender for MIP, just as long as he fully recovers from this ankle injury >> https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest...aking-news-zach-collins-sustains-ankle-injury

 

[BigGameDamian]

No.

Who then?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Who then?

No idea.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

No idea.

Maybe by the end of the year you can be Excellent Man and win!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Maybe by the end of the year you can be Excellent Man and win!

Seems like a lot of work

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Seems like a lot of work

Do you think, “above average Man” could win it? You just need to score enough to get the voters attention.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Do you think, “above average Man” could win it? You just need to score enough to get the voters attention.

I'll shine in the swimsuit competition, and whatever congeniality award there is, is all but locked up.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I'll shine in the swimsuit competition, and whatever congeniality award there is, is all but locked up.

You got this.

 

[ABM]

https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-ne...ensively-compared-to-other-young-nba-players/

Blazers’ Zach Collins ‘way ahead’ defensively compared to other young NBA players

 

[andalusian]

I'll shine in the swimsuit competition, and whatever congeniality award there is, is all but locked up.

What happens if the other contestants also use glitter as sunscreen?

 

[Mediocre Man]

What happens if the other contestants also use glitter as sunscreen?

Let's hope it doesn't come to that

 

[wizenheimer]

https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-ne...ensively-compared-to-other-young-nba-players/

Blazers’ Zach Collins ‘way ahead’ defensively compared to other young NBA players

that was a nothing-burger of an article

I expected some analysis of Zach vs other young players or at least other young bigs...but there was none. Basically, it was based on Olshey praise of Collins, then fluffing a 60 word quote into a 600 word 'article'. I mean, if Zach is "way ahead" how was that conclusion derived? Wouldn't you expect a foundation for that claim?

worse is this: "The choice will be a tough one for Terry Stotts, who now has Hassan Whiteside on his roster as another well-known shot-blocker." ....Wut? Why is it a tough choice for Stotts? Does this guy think that Portland traded for Whiteside so he could be Zach's backup at C?

**********************************************

DRPM last year for young PF's:

Jaren Jackson Jr. 2.18 Pascal Siakam 2.16 Maxi Kleber 2.10 Daniel Theis 1.80 Noah Vonleh 1.60 Alan Williams 1.27 Jonathan Isaac 1.13 Larry Nance Jr. 0.99 Domantas Sabonis 0.98 Cheick Diallo 0.93 Zach Collins 0.93 Aaron Gordon 0.78

and for C's (including Portland connected):

Ed Davis 4.13 Nerlens Noel 3.81 Hassan Whiteside 3.61 Myles Turner 3.43 Jusuf Nurkic 3.35 Nikola Jokic 2.59 Willie Cauley-Stein 2.52 Bam Adebayo 2.40 Ivica Zubac 2.24 Kevon Looney 2.18 Jakob Poeltl 1.40 Jarrett Allen 1.25 Mitchell Robinson 1.05 Thomas Bryant 0.95 Zach Collins 0.93 Deandre Ayton 0.90

 

[e_blazer]

that was a nothing-burger of an article

I expected some analysis of Zach vs other young players or at least other young bigs...but there was none. Basically, it was based on Olshey praise of Collins, then fluffing a 60 word quote into a 600 word 'article'. I mean, if Zach is "way ahead" how was that conclusion derived? Wouldn't you expect a foundation for that claim?

worse is this: "The choice will be a tough one for Terry Stotts, who now has Hassan Whiteside on his roster as another well-known shot-blocker." ....Wut? Why is it a tough choice for Stotts? Does this guy think that Portland traded for Whiteside so he could be Zach's backup at C?

**********************************************

DRPM last year for young PF's:

Jaren Jackson Jr. 2.18 Pascal Siakam 2.16 Maxi Kleber 2.10 Daniel Theis 1.80 Noah Vonleh 1.60 Alan Williams 1.27 Jonathan Isaac 1.13 Larry Nance Jr. 0.99 Domantas Sabonis 0.98 Cheick Diallo 0.93 Zach Collins 0.93 Aaron Gordon 0.78

and for C's (including Portland connected):

Ed Davis 4.13 Nerlens Noel 3.81 Hassan Whiteside 3.61 Myles Turner 3.43 Jusuf Nurkic 3.35 Nikola Jokic 2.59 Willie Cauley-Stein 2.52 Bam Adebayo 2.40 Ivica Zubac 2.24 Kevon Looney 2.18 Jakob Poeltl 1.40 Jarrett Allen 1.25 Mitchell Robinson 1.05 Thomas Bryant 0.95 Zach Collins 0.93 Deandre Ayton 0.90

Uh...first: Clutchpoints. Enough said. Here's their staff: https://clutchpoints.com/team/

Second, I'd be interested in getting a real NBA guy's take on the value of DRPM stats. It seems to me that points allowed per 100 possessions is dependent upon much more than any given player's defensive prowess (pace and quality of teammates you're playing with being the first two factors that come to mind). Have you ever seen the formula used to calculate DRPM? I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad stat, but I don't know enough about it to say whether it is really significant. My sense is that Zach is an excellent shot-blocker, but that he has a ways to go in terms of staying in front of his man, remaining vertical and not committing silly fouls.

 

[wizenheimer]

Uh...first: Clutchpoints. Enough said. Here's their staff: https://clutchpoints.com/team/

Second, I'd be interested in getting a real NBA guy's take on the value of DRPM stats. It seems to me that points allowed per 100 possessions is dependent upon much more than any given player's defensive prowess (pace and quality of teammates you're playing with being the first two factors that come to mind). Have you ever seen the formula used to calculate DRPM? I'm not saying it's necessarily a bad stat, but I don't know enough about it to say whether it is really significant. My sense is that Zach is an excellent shot-blocker, but that he has a ways to go in terms of staying in front of his man, remaining vertical and not committing silly fouls.

sure. I agree that just about all so-called defensive stats should be viewed a little skeptically, DRPM included

you mentioned pace and teammate quality. Another factor would be minutes played; a player with low minutes might have quite a bit of skew with his numbers. And another factor could be how much time a player spent defending 1st units vs 2nd units

I think DRPM does a decent job of reflecting eyeball tests. Look at the top-15 last year:

1 Rudy Gobert, C 4.35
2 Ed Davis, C 4.13
3 Nerlens Noel, C 3.81
4 Draymond Green, PF 3.74
5 Joel Embiid, C 3.72
6 Tyson Chandler, C 3.64
7 Hassan Whiteside, C 3.61
8 Nikola Vucevic, C 3.59
9 DeMarcus Cousins, C 3.57
10 Brook Lopez, C 3.54
11 Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF 3.53
12 Robert Covington, SF 3.52
13 Myles Turner, C 3.43
14 Jusuf Nurkic, C 3.35
15 Anthony Davis, F 3.20

that seems to track what I've seen in terms of top defenders...with 3 exceptions: Ed Davis, Nerlens Noel, and Tyson Chandler. Now, all three of those guys are good defenders, but they don't seem that good. Then I see that Davis averaged 18 minutes, Noel 14 minutes, and Chandler 16 minutes (in only 55 games)

so if you set a floor of 20 minutes.game, the top-15 is: Rudy Gobert, C Draymond Green, PF Joel Embiid, C Hassan Whiteside, C Nikola Vucevic, C DeMarcus Cousins, C Brook Lopez, C Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF Robert Covington, SF Myles Turner, C Jusuf Nurkic, C Anthony Davis, F DeAndre Jordan, C Paul George, SF Derrick Favors, PF

Looks like the stat reflects what happens defensively around the league. It does favor big men as 13 of the top 15 are C's and PF's

Zach? he's very mobile and very fast-twitch. He also appears to have good lateral speed and decent lateral reaction. I think he'll end up being a good defender...maybe a real good one. He certainly needs to develop his core strength...a lot. He's re-directed by contact far too easily and I think a lot of his fouls are reactions to that re-direction. He also needs to get much better at rebounding. An important component of defense is clearing the glass. Aminu had a 22.6% defensive rebound rate, Meyers 21.8%, Turner 18.9%; Zach only 16.5%

 

[James lamphear]

that was a nothing-burger of an article

I expected some analysis of Zach vs other young players or at least other young bigs...but there was none. Basically, it was based on Olshey praise of Collins, then fluffing a 60 word quote into a 600 word 'article'. I mean, if Zach is "way ahead" how was that conclusion derived? Wouldn't you expect a foundation for that claim?

worse is this: "The choice will be a tough one for Terry Stotts, who now has Hassan Whiteside on his roster as another well-known shot-blocker." ....Wut? Why is it a tough choice for Stotts? Does this guy think that Portland traded for Whiteside so he could be Zach's backup at C?

**********************************************

DRPM last year for young PF's:

Jaren Jackson Jr. 2.18 Pascal Siakam 2.16 Maxi Kleber 2.10 Daniel Theis 1.80 Noah Vonleh 1.60 Alan Williams 1.27 Jonathan Isaac 1.13 Larry Nance Jr. 0.99 Domantas Sabonis 0.98 Cheick Diallo 0.93 Zach Collins 0.93 Aaron Gordon 0.78

and for C's (including Portland connected):

Ed Davis 4.13 Nerlens Noel 3.81 Hassan Whiteside 3.61 Myles Turner 3.43 Jusuf Nurkic 3.35 Nikola Jokic 2.59 Willie Cauley-Stein 2.52 Bam Adebayo 2.40 Ivica Zubac 2.24 Kevon Looney 2.18 Jakob Poeltl 1.40 Jarrett Allen 1.25 Mitchell Robinson 1.05 Thomas Bryant 0.95 Zach Collins 0.93 Deandre Ayton 0.90

Zach rating in the playoffs was over 3 and I believe Zach started to come in his own was the playoffs.