The Official "Start Zach Collins" Thread

I know there are people who want Biggie. I'm sure Stotts is leaning towards Aminu.

I think the Blazers should start Collins though. He's quite possibly the best defensive player we have on the team. He has range out to the three point line. He moves without the ball. He has a high BBIQ.

For some reason it's hard to find up to date averages for his preseason, but by my own math, he's shooting 57% from the field, 50% from three point range, he's averaging 8 ppg in 17 minutes per game. 4.25 rebounds per game. And I think, more importantly, his fouls have dropped. He had 5 in his first game, and then 4, and then 3, and then 0 last night.

I think he's the best fit next to Nurk. He can play in the paint, but he can also drift outside. He's quick, he's agile, and he moves without the ball. Biggie strikes me as being very slow. I'm not sure if he's quick enough to play the four in the NBA.

Just for comparison, Biggie's averages over the last four games:

8.75 ppg, 7.5 rebounds, 48% from the field, 40% from three, in 17.75 minutes per game. Conversely, his fouls have gone up. 1 foul in the first game, 3 fouls in the second game, 1 foul in the third game, and 4 fouls in the 4th game.

I don't see Caleb as being any more NBA ready than Collins, but I think Collins has a much higher ceiling and I think he'd have better success as a power forward in the current landscape in the NBA.

 

Biggie is all over the boards though.

 

We've got Nurk. We don't need him to be all over the boards. Did you forget Nurk was dropping 20 rebound games last season!?!

 

I'm on the train because of his all-around game being a better fit with the starters than Biggie's more offensively oriented game. We don't want either of them taking shots away from Dame/CJ/Nurk, so that limits Biggie's effectiveness. And Collins still has enough offensive ability to not be a liability.

The only edge Biggie might have is rebounding. But Biggie's biggest impact will come from being a one-man wrecking crew on the 2nd unit, where he won't have any competition for shots. IMO the 2nd unit should be Turner / Aminu / Biggie, with Turner doing everything in his power to get Biggie as many quality looks as possible. Aminu should never touch the ball. And then round out the 2nd unit with one of Dame/CJ, and depending on match-ups Pat/Ed/Meyers/Vonleh.

 

The real question is, how many games until Terry figures this out?

 

Really good summary. I agree completely.
Even if It is only for token minutes until he gets more experience.

 

As long as it is games and not seasons.

 

I don't think he will start because the Blazers likely don't want to throw him directly into the fire and end up with another Leonard or Webster. Collins has shown some signs of getting down on himself and I would be concerned about that.

Now, if that weren't the case, or if we can ease him in for half a season, then I totally agree. His defense next to Nurk is really good. He can cover multiple positions temporarily and seems to be able to hit the open shot.

Either way, I don't think it will be long. He just looks like he belongs out there at the four.

Don't flame me, but would you consider bringing in Walton to coach him on defense? I see a few similarities.

 

Probably more than I would like.

 

Really refreshing to see several of you joining me on the bandwagon. I got really tired of judgments based on 3 summer league games.

Collins has strength and other issues, but overall he's a 2-way skill guy.... and those guys are HARD to find. In fact, the only other one on the roster is Nurk.

 

Aminu is being considered at the four because he can theoretically space the court while providing above average defense.

Davis is being considered because he can do the dirty work.

Swanigan is being considered because he can crash the boards and space the court.

Vonleh is being considered because he can crash the boards, do the dirty work, and play above average defense.

Collins should win the job because he does everything listed above. He's the most complete option.

 

I think it's funny that you mentioned Leonard, because we didn't throw MyLe in the fire. We brought him along slowly. Meyers only averaged 17.5 minutes per game as a rookie. He started 9 games total, probably because of injuries to other players. In his second season he started zero games, and only averaged 9 minutes per game. In his third season he started 7 games and averaged 15.4 minutes per game. We brought Meyers along SUPER slowly and it hasn't meant a damn thing.

Webster only started 18 games as a rookie. He averaged 17.5 minutes per game. In his second season, he started 27 games and averaged 21.5. It wasn't until his third season that he actually moved into the starting lineup and started 70 games and averaged 28 minutes per game.

Both players were brought along slowly. Some guys either have confidence, or they don't. And frankly, I think showing them confidence and letting them play through their mistakes is a better method than throwing them out there for a few minutes and pulling them when they struggle. That method didn't work for Jermaine O'Neal either. I think Collins is already showing that his confidence issues are behind him. I see zero hesitation when he shoots. I think it's doing him wonders to actually play with guards that can get him the ball in scoring position. When he moves without the ball, people are finding him.

 

As an early adopter of the Collins bandwagon, I absolutely agree. The problem can be summed up in a few words:

 

I mainly think Caleb would give us scoring off the bench. We don't need his scoring in the starting lineup.

 

I would also point out that Turner played some of his best ball when he was coming off the bench in Boston with Jared Sullinger.

Sullinger is another 6'9 big guy who likes to shoot from outside. I really think Turner and Biggie could develop a nice flow on that second unit.

 

Go paste this on Caleb's locker. Also, I think you're completely wrong about this.

 

That's not true. He's seen just as much time at PF, if not more. Ed Davis also considered him a four when he was asked the difference between guarding centers and power forwards.