Game Thread GAME# 2: SPURS @ BLAZERS - OCTOBER 20, 2018 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

I've said repeatedly I love ED and wish him well. Reputation intact.

You, on the other hand...

BNM

 

The point wasnt neccessarily that Allen and Collins are similar players. It was that where Zach gets to offensively will dictate his ceiling and also who he can play with.
I dont know what else to say other than I guess we’ll see where he gets too. You may be fully in on Zach and thats fine, Im taking a much more slow approach to it.

 

Are you really taking a slow approach though? Wouldn't those saying he's only 19 (last year) and 20 (this year) be the ones using a slow approach? I know it's just my opinion but it seems to me like the ones expecting more from him so far are the impatient ones that expect results right away.

 

I feel like I am, I havent said he sucks or he’s great or whatever. Just said I wanted to see what he continues to do.

 

No way! You have to have an EXTREME HOT TAKE either good or bad. What is this middle ground you seem to be alluding to?

 

I never proclaimed Zach was ready. He can't even legally buy a beer yet. He's got a long way to go to reach his potential, but he has time to get there. The quickest way for a young player, especially a young 7-footer, to improve is to get a lot of meaningful playing time at the NBA level. His development is vital for the future of this team. Ed's wasn't. If Zach's ceiling is Ed Davis, we're fucked, but if that's all he'll ever be, better to find out sooner, rather than later (before giving him a huge contract extension).

And, it's not just based on 2 games. Yes, Zach struggled last season on the offensive end of the floor. That's not to be unexpected for a 19 - 20 year old rookie who didn't start a single game in his one, and only, college season. He may not have been a starter in college, but by the end of the season he was playing well enough to earn 1st Team All Tournament in the NCAA tourney. He also shot .476 3FG% in college, but the number of attempts was very small and the 3-point line closer. It takes young players, especially young bigs who are still growing into their bodies, to adjust to the speed and athleticism of the NBA game, as well as the longer 3-point distance.

Zach has the tools and seems to also have the work ethic. What he lacks is experience at the NBA level and he can only gain that by playing - the more the better. Yes, Ed is better at what he does best (rebounding), but we were't going to seriously challenge GSW for title this year. We saw last year that Ed can actually be a liability in the playoffs. Zach will have some ups and downs this season, and Ed may have helped steady the ship, maybe even helped us win an extra game, or two, during the regular season, but long term, the development of Zach Collins is more important than a couple extra season wins this year.

BNM

 

On this current Blazers team would you rather have Collins or Kuzma?

Edit: I realize the irony of this question considering we could have had both.

 

I dont have strong feelings towards either one... Id probably take Collins because Colllins is more of a position of need for ‘us’ than Kuzma is.


My choices last year wouldve been Mitchell or Giles and Jordan Bell. Honestly though Collins has more offensive potential than Ball does. Defensively is taller with more reach, Bells in one heck of an amazing situation though.

 

I tried to steer this away from the Ed vs Collins stuff as that wasnt really the discussion I was trying to have... Its about Zach to me, I get the he’s young arguement, but every single rookie and second year player is young. Yes Zach has potential and playing and developing him is important. I read several posts saying he’s ready, he needs to play, and the like and my approach is that after two games its a little quick to call that..

 

Kuzma is athletic for sure, but I prefer Zach's defense and attitude. I suspect Zach's fundamentals and potential are also greater. I'll go with Zach.

And as you alluded, that wasn't the choice. At the time it was a choice between Biggie and Kuzma. That's a no-brainer now, and it probably should have been then.

 

Mitchell isn't worth commenting about because I think you already know that I wanted him too.

Giles has an even smaller sample size than Collins (how is that even possible?). I'll give you that he probably has a higher ceiling than Zach (maybe not defensively but for sure offensively) but is much less likely to reach that potential because of injuries in my opinion.

Bell is almost 3 years older than Zach, which is pretty crazy to think about. I'm assuming you watched Bell in college and I'm pretty sure most people wouldn't have thought he'd be an NBA player when he was 20. I agree with you that Collins has more (a lot more) offensive potential.

 

He can if he comes to France !

 

Yeah, I know you were on the mitchell train last year more than just about anyone. I was just commenting that had I done the draft and not NO I wouldve picked Mitchell or Giles at 10 and Bell at 26. Now (a little over a year later) I think Collins will have a really good shot to be better than Bell and Giles. I think Collins’ chance of ever being as good as Mitchell isnt very high...

Now that doesnt mean Collins cant carve himself out a very good nba career, and I think playing him and seeing what he has fine. If he grows into his potential he could be very valuable for the Blazers.

Side note: The starters were saying they think Collins will be better than Nurkic, Im not sure I agree, but I think his potential is higher than Nurks.

 

I still like Collins at the 4. Fuck going small like everyone else is doing, lets mix a new school perimeter game with an old school big front line. It's really pissing me off that some national media seems to think we are going to have to choose one or the other to be our starting center. I firmly believe they can play together and will eventually be a dominant force.

 

I know he’s a 7 footer but his game reminds me way more of what I think of as a 4, than as a center. Could just be he needs to fill out?

 

I don't see Aminu being brought back next year.
I see Portland looking to find a backup C which will allow Collins to slot in at the 4.
Well unless Nards truly does break out.

Pending injury, I don't ever see Collins starting this year. Clearly he's the best backup 5 Portland has on the roster.
Nards has shown some things though.

 

I think they may try to trade Aminu for a back up center / 4 around the trade deadline if Zach keeps up his level of play.