This guy is really starting to come on. Looks like he's replaced Fortson now in the rotation, especially late in games. As mentioned in the NY thread, Fortson's not only been acting up off the court, but on the court he's now becoming like Rodman in the latter part of his career where you just knew something was eventually going to happen each and every game - a wild elbow, a blatant hip check, a German suplex, an umtimely technical. What was that game, 6 fouls in 6 minutes? Ridiculous. Collison meanwhile continues to make play after play. Last night it seemed like he got every big rebound, finished OK around the basket and I was totally impressed with how he defended Steph when they switched on the pick and roll, even blocking his shot once. And Snapper Jones said something on the ESPN telecast last night that I've been telling people for awhile: Collison has the best pair of mitts for a big man in the league, next to Webber. If he gets his hands on the ball it's almost always his. He just knows how to play and doesn't make stupid mistakes. Now if he can learn to finish better around the rim and work on hitting the open 12 footer I can see him being a solid 15-11 guy for a long time. In fact IIRC, Iverson said that Nick was going to be rookie of the year after the Olympic (?) trials, until his shoulder got wrecked. That being said I have hope that Forston will get his head together and get back to how he was playing earlier in the season. With the playoffs coming up we need his experience, toughness, the extra possesions he gives us and his free throw shooting. C'mon Danny get it together.
I'm very pleased with Collison's play. He always plays within himself. You don't need to run any plays for him even though I think that we would benefit by giving him some post touches from time to time. I actually think that he finishes around the bucket pretty well considering that he isn't a phenominal athlete. If he were to get starters minutes I think that he could average in the 14 point 9 rebound range. Our power forward position is in excellent hands with Nick Collison. He is only going to get better with experience. As for Fortson, he hasn't been the same since he's returned from his suspension/leave of absence. For whatever reason he isn't getting to the offensive glass like he used to and he seems to have an quicker temper than he even had in the beginning of the year. His fouls are obvious now when in the beginning of the year he was getting called for breathing on people. He should really evaluate how he is approaching the game b/c we can't afford to have one of his blow ups in the postseason. If he continues his erratic behavior I wouldn't be against shortening up the rotation or giving Pot some of his minutes at the five. As good as Danny is (and he is one of my favorites in the league) he isn't irreplaceable, especially when he is getting technicals. I'm hopeful that he can get it together b/c he is the toughest (and maybe most intimidating) player in the league. As hard as he fouls, I'm shocked that no one has even thought to go to blows with him. You can see the fear in most of his opponents eyes.
From today's PI: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"Kid plays big every game," McMillan said of Collison. "He continues to get better, continues to improve." </div> I have a feeling Danny's been tutoring Collison in practice and on the bench during games.
I think there are a couple of similarities in Fortson and Collison's game, and I hope they remain... but in the end, Nick will be a better offensive player, if only because he can be a quality NBA garbageman (possibly as a starter) in the mould of Dusty Rychart of the Adelaide 36ers. With the amount of offensive boards on offer, it would not be difficult for him to put up 12/8 next year. Say, 4 put-backs a game, 2 field goals within the offense and 4 defensive boards. Well done, Nick.
You can tell Nick spent four seasons in college, because he just knows the game of basketball so well. He can't get by on athleticism, he isn't a stand-out scorer or a stand-out defender, but his basketball smarts are just brilliant. He also has the knack of coming up with big plays in clutch situations, which is something he seems to just have naturally (apart from the FTs in the tournament final loss to 'Cuse).
I think Nick's basketball IQ is great, and he also seems to be a pretty sharp guy in interviews (unlike more than a few on the team like Reggie and Luke) so his smarts are a HUGE advantage for him. His defense is solid, and he can body up in the post or pick up the guards on the switch. Marbury looked pretty darn shocked when Nick stayed with him. He had been free on the pick and roll all night, and has burned many a big man in the league on switches in his carrer. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time and makes a good decision on defense. His offense still needs a transition to the NBA. He needs a more consistent midrange jumper. He works the offensive boards well for put backs. He can get his hook off in the post against smaller or lower quality 4's and 5's, but he gets blocked consistently by the good bigs. He needs a new move down there to be effective consistently. Iverson did pick him for ROTY last year before the shoulder injury. I am not surprised, I bet Collison was like what AI wants Webber to be. Good hands, setting good picks and passing the ball out of the post when AI cuts. Too bad Webber will never accept that kind of role.
Yeah that's what I was talking about. I swear the Knicks ran that pick and roll with Steph 3 or 4 times because they knew we were switching and it was going to be easy pickins but they didn't score once on it IIRC. I think he's already a very good post defender, he gets a solid base and he actually moves his feet. Think McHale-esque post defense, without the freaky arm length. As far as his offensive game, he's already shown a lefty hook to go with his right hand. An up and under would be nice, and I'm waiting for Sikma to teach him the face up-step back move. Last thing about Nick: when he was drafted I was thinking he'd come to the pro's and measure 6-8 230 or something and be a totally undersized 4. Come to see him play and he actually looks 6-10 260 or so. I mean the guy is huge.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah that's what I was talking about. I swear the As far as his offensive game, he's already shown a lefty hook to go with his right hand. An up and under would be nice, and I'm waiting for Sikma to teach him the face up-step back move. Last thing about Nick: when he was drafted I was thinking he'd come to the pro's and measure 6-8 230 or something and be a totally undersized 4. Come to see him play and he actually looks 6-10 260 or so. I mean the guy is huge.</div> Nick showed a new post move last night with a drop step, fake right and then up and under to the left to get one in by Kwame brown. It was nice, but I think a better PF would have stuffed it or fouled him. Brown is not exactly a top 10 PF.
I've felt Nick has been a good draft pick because he has such a solid basketball foundation that if he doesn't live up to his lottery pick hype then he will still be a decent player. He has the work ethic and fundamentals to go far in the league and with a few injury-free years under his belt along with coaching and some playing time theres no reason why Nick won't be a starter in this league.
