Another 20/12 today on 70% shooting, after 25/17 against the Rockets, and really this has been the norm for him over the past few weeks since moving into the starting line-up (averaged 15/11 on 60% shooting in January). I think most of us thought, at best, he'd become a 14/8 kind of player, and after a very slow start to the season coming off the bench, is up to around 10/8 on 50% shooting. He seems to have cut down his foul tendencies and has been able to stay on the court for longer periods, and has formed a fairly effective rebounding combination with Weezy. My question is, are we just seeing him in a purple patch (like Wilcox last season) or is Nick genuinely capable of being a guy that can put up 18/10 over a whole season? What happens when Rob Swift is back and healthy?
He's more skilled and has a better basketball IQ than the majority of power forwards in the league, so it's not that surprising that he's having success. The lack of confidence has been what's holding him back the past three years. That said, this won't last, because eventually teams will scout him instead of ignoring him. 14/8 over the course of a season would be pretty good for him. The only way I could see it getting much higher is if he really busted his butt getting into shape and perfecting his jump shot during the offseason.
It's all about minutes with Collison. If he is able to get 40 minutes a game he is more than capable of averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds. The problem is that if he is getting 40 minutes a game chances are that we are very thin on the frontline and if we are thin on the frontline chances are we aren't a good team. If Robert Swift would have been healthy I think that it really would have affected Collison's time on the court. Wilcox would have received the bulk of the power forward minutes and Petro would have had a chance to prove himself as a capable center replacement. I love Nick Collison, but I would be foolish to think that he can sustain the level of his productivity on a solid healthy roster. I would love if he could do it though.
If we can turn and face up and hit the mid-range jumper consistently he could be a guy 17-10 given the minutes, IMO. He's not going to hit many turnarounds in the post since his release point is a little on the low side. Otherwise he's only left with the baby hook which he can get off on guys like Nocioni. He's been playing great, though, and getting most of his points on putbacks and just being in the right spot due to his hoop smarts. BTW I was at the game last night and I don't know who to blame - and I'm sure once Rashard gets back this'll change - but probably 90% of our offensive posessions end up with us dribbling the shot clock down to 5 seconds trying to run Ray off a bunch of pics. And it's awful the way the way Ray gives up on D when he gets bumped off by a screen, just ends up trailing the guy and not really doing anything. Luke and Earl are playing hard but jumping in the key with no where to go way too much, Wilcox was saddled with foul trouble on some BS moving screen calls early in the 3rd and Damien missed 2 dunks in transition. Gelebale was in a funk all game for some reason, maybe he's lost his confidence after McGrady schooled him a couple games ago. Lastly, Bob Hill seems to be getting outcoached right and left, or maybe our personnel just leaves us with bad matchups night after night.
Oh yeah I walked by Swift at halftime - he's looking pimp smooth with the ponytail and sharkskin suit
