Sure seems like he is slipping in the rotation. I know it's a small sample size, but the team has been more effective with one big on the court and a bunch of wings cutting and shooting. With Layman and Hood playing well, and Harkless and Aminu with good games at times, this appears to be the first opportunity to push Collins back in the rotation. Biebs is playing within himself and doing some good things. Collins just doesn't seem to be providing a consistent defensive presence and isn't hitting his shot well either. The team seems to be playing better with Nurkic/Biebs at the 5 then any combination of Aminu, Harkless, Layman, Hood, at the forwards. I still think Collins could be a very solid player, but maybe the reality that he needs another year to bulk up and work on his moves and shot.
I think your last point is right on. He needs to get stronger. I still think he'll be a very good player. He just needs to mature physically. I love his work ethic and his attitude so I think he'll be fine.
Collins will be Hood's main victim. Hood will carve him up and eat him. He is done for. Stick a fork in him. Ed Davis' revenge.
Right now IMO he is one of two back up centers on the team. There are no minutes for him at the 4 nor does he play well there....not yet anyways. He and Meyers need to compete for the back up center spot and nothing else. We have smaller quicker PF's who can shoot better and defend better on the perimeter. Having said that I think both can help the team off the bench. Just not on the floor at the same time.
This could be the addition by subtraction contraction we need. Besides, Zach could use more time to get his head straight.
Zachs, fairly fundamentally sound, a good athlete, good basketball IQ. I think he has a future as an NBA Role player. He clearly fouls way too much, some of it is reputation but sometimes he commits just some mind boggling fouls too. I was once called the Zach hater (heh), but I believe just as it is too early to say he’s the “Future” for the Blazers, I also think its too early to call him a bust. Though I kind of have my doubts he will live up to NO’s comments about him being a foundational player.