So there is a meltdown thread, and that is great when we are on a losing streak or people want to tank. How about we have the opposite? Post here if you think there are things the Trailblazers are doing well.
Positive #1: Zach Collins is finally getting minutes. He is still a work in progress, but he shows flashes of spectacular play on offense and defense. He might not be an all world athlete, but, his length combined with his intellect, and the ever vaunted "Basketball IQ", make him someone who will add a lot of wins in the future. He's already helping, and his sun is only rising on the horizon. Positive #2: Imagine a player on another team whom was one of the best defenders on their team, often guarding the best wing, but also capable of switching on pretty much any other position. Also imagine that this player was averaging .439 on 3 pointers for the season, and has an eFG% of .617. They also average 7.3 rebounds per game. Wait, did I mention that they are signed to an amazingly team-friendly deal? If this guy was playing for any other team, we would have every poster shitting on Olshey for not trading for him. However, he plays for us. And indeed, Farouq is on fire.
Collins fits the modern NBA and thats good, good to have both Nurk and Collins with different skill sets I wanted to ask you, what do you think how good Collins can become on defense... yeah, hes not that much of an athlete, but hes certainly not like Omer Asik, Koufos or any other slow C, hes above-average in that regard and his length combined with his light feet certainly makes him someone who can be great rim protector... hes not strong as of now, but he will get stronger and that will help him, but just how good can he become on defense is it exaggeration to say he can become elite rim protector, I dont know if he can become one, but I do belive hes going to be great rim protector
The good: Aminu is playing out of his mind and Collins is getting meaningful minutes and showing good things The bad: our amazing coach won't play them at their correct position
Collins will be foul prone for the time being, as he is super aggressive when it comes to rim protection. However, the guy has really good instincts. You know that I have a man crush on Nurk, but, the 17 point lead fell to a 7 point lead when Stotts inserted Nurk for Collins. A lot of that blame is placed on the dumb Nurk turnovers. For the future, Nurk should still be starting at center, but Collins should be starting at power forward. The offense and defense would be amazing. Chief should start at the 3, and we could kind of throw a wrench into the league- wide small ball obsession. Go big/ long and force others to adapt.
On paper it sounds good. But I am not sure it would work. Right now Amnu is playing well at PF against slower PF's. There are matchups where I am all for the "long lineup" but I think we look better when we have 3 guards on the floor. I don't mind trying it, but I am not so sure Stotts is stupid for not going to it. Aminu at PF is working. Now if we can find a SF who can shoot and dribble........we are in better shape. Collins needs more time on the floor, but I am not sure he needs to start just yet.
But which Blazer opened a can of whoop ass last night? That's what we are looking for in this thread...
Shit... My bad. I was answering like this wasn't that type of thread. Dame was 2 boards shy of a trip/dub!!!