Lmao. I watched him all throughout college so I guess it's only 2x as much.
He has top 5 rim protector potential, does he not. That's a foundational player. Imagine a prime DeAndre Jordan with some shooting ability, passing ability, and some post up ability. Is that really not a foundational player? Just because he's not going to be a Kristaps type of player doesn't mean he's not going to be great.
"Collins is uncomfortable doing..."
Yeah, of course he is. He's a 20yo rookie who's never played as a perimeter player and is now experiencing it for the 1st time as an NBA rook. That means he doesn't have the budding skill set or that he'll never get comfortable?
He's going to be better than Nurk. He's as good of a defender and has a better offensive skillset already. However, he has to learn how to use it and add strength, which he will.
So in the college game they play like 25 games (already double that in the NBA) and I watched him in college too, I went to Gonzaga for Christ's sake I think I might know what I am talking about a little bit. I know you hold yourself in very high regard but je-sus. It is impossible for someone who knows and watches basketball and the Blazers to have a differing opinion than you right?
To get on to your ridiculous comparison. Yes, Deandre Jordan with shooting ability would be a foundational type of player. No, I don't think Collins is that player. Yes, I can confidently say he will not become prime Deandre Jordan with a jumper that much is pretty clear. (The fact that this is the best comp you can come up with for the kid doesn't make me think you actually have watched any of Collins college or pro but...) That is not to say he doesn't have a place in this league or on this team. He could one day be a solid 2-way starting caliber player on the same level as Jae Crowder or something (I know not the same position just an example of the tier of player he likely will become) but Deandre with a jumper (lol) no, he is not that.
He's 20, he's got good defensive instincts/timing, and he's got good footwork, that's all he has going for him right now. He cant finish, cant create for himself or others, cant stretch the floor, you don't really want him taking more than one dribble, and rarely does anything with it when he has the rock. Did I expect him to take over the league as a rookie? No, of course not. Did I think he'd be capable of knocking down open 3's and playing solid defense? Yes. Has he done that? No, not really aside from the defense somewhat.
KP and Markaanen (similar players in age, position, size and possible role) are in decidedly tougher situations where teams scheme for them, they have little to no support, and they manage to put up 10x the numbers and have 10x the impact Collins does. That could mean a couple of things, one, Collins is simply not getting the same amount of looks or the usage rate the other two, (more usage, more stats, more impact) but the looks are much more difficult than the ones Collins is getting. But it also could mean that Collins just simply hasn't done anything with the easier but less frequent looks he has been given. If he was half the player you say he is, he would be thriving in his role, he hasn't. He should be knocking down open 3's at even a league average level, he hasn't.
Is he going to be better than Nurk? Depends on who you think Nurk is. If you think Nurk is the same guy we had last year then I would say no way, but could he become better than this year's Nurk? Sure, but there is a HUGE CHASM of difference between better than Nurk this year and prime DeAndre Jordan with a jumper like you described. You should know this, since you watch 5x more basketball than anyone else. Right?
