The more I watch Collins play the more I'm convinced his future is at PF. He can play center as Nurkic' backup in spurts but long term he's a PF. His lack of power is masked at the four. I've lately been watching Collins tape specifically to see how he defends on the perimeter and the pick and roll. He's more than capable. He's got good lateral movement. Defensively he reminds me of Aldridge (the Aldridge that locks in, not the hand swiper.) Not an explosive leaper but can move his feet and stays disciplined.
I agree I think long term he's PF and backs up center. For the time being I think he'll be first big off the bench. Nurk and Collins both have great B.B. Iq so should be fun to watch them together
Man Nurk and Zach are going to piss off a lot of opposing players/fanbases. Collins plays with an edge and has a face you just want to sock if he's not on your team. It's going to be beautiful.
Lillard ........................ Napier ...................... Crabbe McCollum .................. Connaughton ...................... Turner Harkless ..................... Layman ...................... Aminu Vonleh ........................ Swanigan ...................... Collins ............................. Leonard Nurkic ........................ Davis I think Lillard, McCollum, Harkless, Vonleh, and Nurkic will start. Crabbe will be the first guard off the bench. Turner will swing between SG & SF as needed. Aminu will swing between SF & PF as needed. Collins will swing between PF & C as needed. The first battle for depth will be between Collins and Davis. As the year goes on, it will come down to Collins and Vonleh battling for the starting role.
You guys really think this kid we drafted is going to get a sniff of playing time? I see him guarding the Gatorade all game long.
I still think Connaughton can be a good backup SG if he has kept on improving his ball handling and shooting. But that's the problem.... he's never been a consistent shooter. I saw this make or break for him in the summer league. He doesn't impress then maybe they make plans for the end of fall camp. Maybe if Connaughton shows what he's made of this year then Crabbe becomes expendable. But we literally have nobody who can provide what Crabbe gives us... it's just at a ridiculous price.
Collins is essentially the same size Aldridge was when he came into the league. Like LA, stronger Bigs will probably overpower him him early on and he'll get schooled on the vet tricks of the trade for a while, but he should eventually be able to slide along the front line defensively effectively guarding a variety of players and providing good help D. His jumper and athleticism should allow him to be effective on the high post and perimeter with most any lineup from the get go. If a players primary defensive matchup defines what position they're listed at, then I see Collins as a PF and Swanigan (Biggie) as a Center. Caleb should continue to hone his body as a pro & his outside shot could earn him a role, but I don't ever see him gaining the athleticism needed to guard today's stretch 4s. STOMP
as I get to know Collins and Biggie thru reading and watching more film it seems they could fit together well and perhaps that is why we drafted biggie, Collins can cover for some of his D weakness with his ability to defend the PnR and guard more perimeter oriented players. Biggie is a good offensive player who can shoot and is a great rebounder but D mobility is his weakness, be interesting to see how this develops in the years ahead.
Hot take: Odds of Biggie and Terrapin Layman pushing Harkless and Vonleh out of the starting lineup this year? I mean, it COULD happen, right?
