Collins probably should just play his solid 20-28 minutes that he’s been gettin recently and continue to grow. If he does what he did last night at a consistent rate this month, I’d be inclined to change my mind though. I just feel comfortable with the vet presence right now and then letting Collins start next year. Next year is Zco’s big come up.
Really? To me, it seems it has been the same all year. Right next to his head. If he did something different earlier in the year, I definitely didn't notice and I'm a big Aminu fan.
I will say, in the past, when Aminu has come off the bench, he has played just as well as he does as a starter and that's a good skill to have. Gives us more options.
The more important conversation is, what is Aminu's trade value? I think it's obvious they try to trade him and pieces for a legit SF, start Collins at PF, and then get a backup 4 by either using the tax-payer MLE to sign Ersan Ilyasova, Trevor Booker, Kyle O'Quinn, or Amir Johnson, or using our trade exception+spare parts to trade for JaMychal Green, Jon Lueur, Dwight Powell, or centers that can shoot like Kelly Olynyk or DeWayne Dedmon (Davis could play PF next to them). I could see us doing some sort of 3 team trade where Harkless goes to New York, New York sends a couple 2nds to a 3rd team which also gets Aminu and 1sts from us, and us getting back a legit SF. We could get back around $23M by doing that, with the 3rd team saving money from sending out a big contract for Aminu. We could also use our trade exception to save that team more money. For example: NYK Gets: Maurice Harkless, Caleb Swanigan POR Gets: Otto Porter Jr., Jason Smith*, Jodie Meeks*, WAS Gets: Al-Farouq Aminu, Jake Layman, 2018 POR 1st, 2019 MIN/LAL 2nd, 2018 NYK 2nd, 2019 NYK 2nd, (maybe another future POR 1st?) *Acquired using trade exception Washington has Oubre at SF who could be their future. I have the feeling they'll want to save money this summer and saving $25M to clear a starting spot for Oubre while getting back a good rotation player and picks might make sense. For Portland we'd have Dame, CJ, Porter, Napier, Connaughton, and Turner on the perimeter. We could potentially add a future 1st to Turner's contract (if we only trade one in the Porter trade) and that would save a lot of tax money and Connaughton could be our backup SF. Just spitballing. I don't think Aminu will be here next year.
I do think Aminu will be here. Neil drafted him, he's on a great contract, he's a reliable three point shooter, he's versatile on defense, and he plays better in the playoffs. I realize what I just said makes him a valuable trade chip, but I don't see Neil letting him go. The Aminu contract is a highlight of Neil's work in Portland. All of that said, Otto Porter is a good player too.
Holy fucking shit, Zach has one good game where he scores 12 points and everyone loses their fucking minds.
He has more Bad Games than good Games, if this Team want's to take a Step to another Level, it needs another PF, because Aminu isn't a Starter or shouldn't see heavy minutes on a Playoff Team. Thats simple. It has nothing to do with 'loosing mind', the reality is Zach is the Future, and need as many minutes as possible at the 4
1) Agreeing with Jaynes is generally a dubious proposition, though he's not always wrong. 2) I love me some Collins, and have since we drafted him, but he hasn't showed yet. Stotts is bringing him on slowly, but he deserved the PT he got last night. Let's let that process continue organically. He was pretty good in January, but relapsed to extremely mediocre (stats-wise) in February. We're only 2 days into March. 3) We're on a streak, no need to change right now. 4) Wanna be pissed, I mean howling at the moon mad? Just watch the refs officiate Collins in the playoffs. They already screw him over, regularly - it'll be worse in the playoffs, precisely when we won't be able to afford it.
If this is the case, why was it reported last year. Playoff teams looking to make a run in the playoffs were inquiring about the availability of Aminu? Nothing has changed. Aminu for his faults, is a pretty damn good role player. Zach might be the future but right now he's not clearly better than Aminu. I'd also put big money on teams taking advantage of a rookie starting. Where it's a little more difficult if he's coming off the bench. Stotts is making the right call by bringing Collins along slowly. Afterall Portland is 11 games over .500 for a reason.
He’s consistent; it’s just that consistent is shooting 40%... great if that’s from three, not so great if it’s from two.
You've got to be kidding me. He's been very reliable. I mean, even Steph Curry misses more threes than he takes, but as far as three point shooters go, Aminu is very reliable, esp in the clutch. And he always plays good defense.
Im not disagreeing with you, but i am finding it hysterical you question someone using a small sample.
Just don't ask him to dribble. Better yet, don't allow him to dribble if it requires more than two dribbles or a change of direction while dribbling. No dribbling in traffic. Only dribble if it's for a relatively easy dunk or there is no time on the shot clock.
nah...he was out and injured and we were way worse without him...I'll take him guarding Kevin Durant or Lebron James over Collins anyday