Is it heresy to admit that I think Skal has a better chance of being a star on the Blazers than Collins? I like Collins a lot, but I think Skal could be better even this year. I love the idea of a Nurkic, Collins, Skal rotation at the 4/5 next season. I'm curious to those that don't believe in Skal, what part of his game do you think will hold him back? Strength? BBIQ? other?
I think he has a chance to be better offensively - I have never seen him to have anywhere near the defensive acumen that Zach displays (to be fair, I do not think there are many players that young that have, and we have not seen Skal enough against top-level competition). In last year's playoffs Zach had the highest DBPM on the team and if he did not eat up Paul Millsap (which was killing Aminu) - the team was not going to the conference finals. I think with either Zach / Whiteside or Zach / Nurk - Portland is going to have very stout interior defense going forward.
we disagree....hobbled Pau is a turtle...apparently those issues are behind him..and I expect him to play Noah Vonleh starter minutes and probably the beginning of the 3rd..not big minutes but set the tone....he'll sub in at center but he's a great passer and smart vet...good footwork. I'm actually excited to see him mentor Zach and Skal..I think Pau will not play in games where small ball is the need.
Pau has been a Center for the last 5 years and there is a reason for it. He is 40 man, 40 years are behind him. He can be an ok 10-15 min backup C and really not much more. Why would we even think to start Gasol-Whiteside? I don't really see the point.
Yeah, it shouldnt happen. Dude has 0 lateral quickness. Itd be a major problem, especially with our starters.
I met someone that knows him intimately, so it is a somewhat educated but still a guess. Certainly not writing him off and have tremendous belief in the Blazers culture.
I have a little hope that Skal shows that he's a player... but I think it's likely a long shot at this point. He's already 23.5-yrs old (18-months older than Zach). Offensively, Zach & Skal appear to have the same impact - except Zach has shown a willingness to shoot the 3. Both are mediocre rebounders. However, Zach appears to be much better and have more impact on defense. I think there are probably 2 things holding him back. 1) BBIQ -> Slightly too slow in processing where to be and where to attack. 2) Passion/Drive -> Skal seems like a really cool-laid back dude. From the outside, it doesn't appear that he has the drive to do "what-ever-it-takes" to be more than a bench player.
Zach is younger but not basketball wise. Skal has only been playing basketball since he was in high school.
I can buy that excuse as a freshman coming out of college. It doesn't hold much value as a player going into his 4th professional season. The experience a player gets from playing before 8h grade doesn't have THAT much of an impact...
