The San Antonio Spurs have assigned forward Zach Collins to the Austin Spurs

The prodigal son has returned

Great news, as it's a sign they haven't given up on him playing this season. Hopefully he shows that he hasn't lost his agility. That more than his three-point shooting is likely why the team were willing to take the risk on his contract in the first place.

:tu

He'll break his foot again a minute into his first game tbh.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Robz4000

He'll break his foot again a minute into his first game tbh.

---

https://i.gifer.com/TZbs.gif

Great news. I’m really hoping he remains healthy and can help some in the bigs.

https://youtu.be/mR3dpuUqxto

Nice!!!!

Was hoping to see what the team looks like with him in the rotation before the trade deadline, before making a decision on a Poeltl trade if spurs get respectable offers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tbdog

Was hoping to see what the team looks like with him in the rotation before the trade deadline, before making a decision on a Poeltl trade if spurs get respectable offers.

---

I serousLy doubt they’ll move Poeltl this season, but if Zollins pans out, they may move Jak this summer. It’s only 25 days until the deadline. Not really enough time to see what Zollins can do.

Again he has not played NBA basketball for over two years people really need to lower their expectations on him.

They’ve seen Collins behind the scenes…….

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BackHome

Again he has not played NBA basketball for over two years people really need to lower their expectations on him.

---

So only 5 LOB's incoming and not a 6peat?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by heyheymymy

So only 5 LOB's incoming and not a 6peat?

---

I see 6 chips in 7 years, but I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy.

Good news. Will take a few months for him to get his conditioning back. Players evolve and he showed a nice 3pt touch before injuries, so my hope is even if some of the athleticism never comes back he can work on his ability to stretch the floor. Hoping for a solid backup big to open next season.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KingKev

Good news. Will take a few months for him to get his conditioning back. Players evolve and he showed a nice 3pt touch before injuries, so my hope is even if some of the athleticism never comes back he can work on his ability to stretch the floor. Hoping for a solid backup big to open next season.

---

??? He’s been doing conditioning since he got here. Pop said around New Years that he just needed 3 on 3 and 5 on 5 drills, and he’d be good to play. Couldn’t do it then, because covid.

If all he brings to the table is 3 point shooting, waive him this summer. He would be no better than Landale, at 9X the price. What they saw in him was the floor spacing AND rim protection, like if you put Poeltl and Landale in a blender. That’s why they rolled the dice.

Y’all think he plays with the Austin spurs today or is this like a conditioning assignment?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by exstatic

??? He’s been doing conditioning since he got here. Pop said around New Years that he just needed 3 on 3 and 5 on 5 drills, and he’d be good to play. Couldn’t do it then, because covid.

If all he brings to the table is 3 point shooting, waive him this summer. He would be no better than Landale, at 9X the price. What they saw in him was the floor spacing AND rim protection, like if you put Poeltl and Landale in a blender. That’s why they rolled the dice.

---

Game conditioning is much different. I never said if 3 pt shooting is all he brings to the table just that he may not have some of the bounce he had before. Also it’s more like 3.5x Landale price.

hope he gets on the floor tonight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KingKev

Game conditioning is much different. I never said if 3 pt shooting is all he brings to the table just that he may not have some of the bounce he had before. Also it’s more like 3.5x Landale price.

---

Jock makes about 900K. Zollins makes 7M. Not 9X, but also not 3.5X. Close to 8X.

If he doesn’t have his bounce and lateral movement soon, he IS Landale, at 8X the price. He needs to be a rim protector to be retained this summer.

Big news. Feels like maybe the season is finally starting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Degoat

Y’all think he plays with the Austin spurs today or is this like a conditioning assignment?

---

Probably more of the latter. Just practicing and conditioning with the team. Spurs have 6 games in the next 10 days, so I doubt they will be practicing much.

I'd be surprised if Collins actually sees in GLeague minutes, but it would be a good sign if he does...means he is ready for action.

If Zollins still has the lateral, it'd be great! KBD is doing a great job of what Spurs could expect from him, but Zollins is a definite upgrade and should be a more consistent scorer while also able to do some C duties

Primo assigned too, so looks like we'll see them both tonight in Austin.

The tank is over. Zach Collins aka Kevin McHale-light has arrived.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by R. DeMurre

Primo assigned too, so looks like we'll see them both tonight in Austin.

---

Help get Zollins back to gameshape :ihit

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John B

If Zollins still has the lateral, it'd be great! KBD is doing a great job of what Spurs could expect from him, but Zollins is a definite upgrade and should be a more consistent scorer while also able to do some C duties

---

Collins has never been an upgrade to KBD. In his best year, he was still a net-negative guy. Hopefully he gets back to where he needs to be physically this year and then next shows some massive improvement, but I don't expect him to earn a rotation spot, especially not at the combo-forward minutes Keita is getting.

I seriously don't understand the hype here on this guy. Was he really even that great when on the rare times he was healthy ? I hope he works out but damn...

Ok so they getting him ready to get minutes with the main squad. My guess is like 3 G-League games and then they’ll bring him up, just like Landale. I really hope he can get close to his pre-injury self. The Zollins move panning out would be huge for this team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chinook

Collins has never been an upgrade to KBD. In his best year, he was still a net-negative guy. Hopefully he gets back to where he needs to be physically this year and then next shows some massive improvement, but I don't expect him to earn a rotation spot, especially not at the combo-forward minutes Keita is getting.

---

Zach will be better at the four than KBD if healthy…….book it!

Sad times in spurs land when I am actually excited to see Collins play in the g league :cry

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by poopbox

Sad times in spurs land when I am actually excited to see Collins play in the g league :cry

---

I think some of Spurs loses were they’re thin at the bigs rotation, including Poeltl being out. I think Zollins can really help in that if healthy. And I like the fight in him, the swagger that sometimes is lacking in our roster

How many games before Spurstalk start calling him a scrub and bum. He does have an impressive girlfriend.

From what I have heard from Blazer fans is that he's a taller poor man's version of David Lee.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daslicer

From what I have heard from Blazer fans is that he's a taller poor man's version of David Lee.

---

David Lee was an All-Star at some point in his career

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daslicer

From what I have heard from Blazer fans is that he's a taller poor man's version of David Lee.

---

A really weird comparison since their games don't seem similar at all. Lee wasn't an outside threat, for one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mr. Body

A really weird comparison since their games don't seem similar at all. Lee wasn't an outside threat, for one.

---

David Lee's career 3pt% is kind of hilarious: 1 for 29, spread out over 14 seasons, for a 3.4%!

He’s playing.

it is on right now.

collins is on the perimeter alot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkYgLYlincs

Unable to see the game how is Zollins and Primo performing. Seems like Zollins has the worst +/- and Primo has 4 TO in a half.

I didn’t much watch much of Collins when he was with the Blazers. I tuned in the second quarter of this game. Collins reminds me so much of Luka Samanic. A version that has less handles, but more able to play in the interior without being pushed around like a softie.

Yeah, so I liked what I saw. Tonight’s game kind of confirms my suspicion that it was Collins who pushed Luka out of the roster, and not KBD, or to better put it, Collins pushed Luka out first and then KBD was the nail in the coffin. I think that since Collins looks identical as a player to Luka, it speaks volumes about how the Spurs viewed Luka and that it was probably beyond a talent issue and moreso a locker room fit. Since Zach has been a Spur, he’s participated in so many local charities and looks like he gets along with many players on the roster. It’s interesting that the Spurs are hell bent on finding a player of this archetype… tall, agile, and can shoot 3’s. They started with Gay, then Lyles, then Luka, and now Zach. They ARE trying to get taller and they’re looking for a specific type. They just have not been successful… until perhaps maybe now? Time will tell…

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Russ

Big news. Feels like maybe the season is finally starting.

---

Spurs
Peak
After
March

:spam:

What it looks like what we’ve got with Collins: a player who can play both 4 and 5, perhaps better than any other player on the roster. Landale is too slow for the 4. Thaddeus is too short and slow. Poeltl and Eubanks can’t shoot 3’s.

If you look back in time farther, we haven’t had a player who can play 4 and 5 since Boris Diaw. Lyles provided no shot blocking. LMA was too slow for the 4. Gay provided no interior presence. Samanic was too soft inside.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

David Lee was an All-Star at some point in his career

---

I said poor man's David Lee not that he was going to be the actual David Lee. Safe to say a poor man's David Lee is never going to be an all-star.

IMO, the main difference between Luka and Collins is that Luka loves to “hero ball” from the perimeter and show off his Youtube handles from the perimeter to drive to the hoop. Collins looks like he’s content with spotting up from 3 and you can dump the ball to him inside and he surprisingly has some nice post moves.

Collins stat line is terrible tbh. He might need a lot more reps in the G-League than Landale.

4-10 FG 8 PTS 1 RB 3 BLK 2 AST 1 STL 2 TO 3 PF 0-3 from 3

meanwhile Cacok dominated

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by daslicer

I said poor man's David Lee not that he was going to be the actual David Lee. Safe to say a poor man's David Lee is never going to be an all-star.

---

he's nothing like David Lee. Taller, 3-point range, better defender. Lee was never a shotblocker or 3-point shooter. Collins has always been compared to Al Horford

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

Collins stat line is terrible tbh. He might need a lot more reps in the G-League than Landale.

4-10 FG 8 PTS 1 RB 3 BLK 2 AST 1 STL 2 TO 3 PF 0-3 from 3

meanwhile Cacok dominated

---

Collins played limited minutes and it was one of those nights where the ball could have gone in but it didn’t. Zach also looked terribly winded and is clearly not ready for the real thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dejounte

Collins played limited minutes and it was one of those nights where the ball could have gone in but it didn’t. Zach also looked terribly winded and is clearly not ready for the real thing.

---

had to be expected with how long he been out. Once he can string together some 20+ point performances he should be ready for minutes on the main squad

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

Collins stat line is terrible tbh. He might need a lot more reps in the G-League than Landale.

4-10 FG 8 PTS 1 RB 3 BLK 2 AST 1 STL 2 TO 3 PF 0-3 from 3

meanwhile Cacok dominated

---

https://youtu.be/D-JHzpfjT90

Collins needs to play without injury. A bunch of games without injury.

That's the test, not any stat line.

Way too early for analysis but…

The player he reminds me (from limited game tape mind you), is Brad Miller.

He clearly knows how to play and fill a role. Looks like he can be an initiator from the elbow which would help add some versatility to our sets.
Not seeing much of what can make him an NBA 4 atm unless against outlier teams such as Cleveland.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images...0-d_normal.jpg

Ty Jäger @TheTyJager
2m
Zach Collins says that he'll play one more game for Austin on Friday and then the team and him will move forward from there #PorVida

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dejounte

Yeah, so I liked what I saw. Tonight’s game kind of confirms my suspicion that it was Collins who pushed Luka out of the roster, and not KBD, or to better put it, Collins pushed Luka out first and then KBD was the nail in the coffin. I think that since Collins looks identical as a player to Luka, it speaks volumes about how the Spurs viewed Luka and that it was probably beyond a talent issue and moreso a locker room fit. Since Zach has been a Spur, he’s participated in so many local charities and looks like he gets along with many players on the roster. It’s interesting that the Spurs are hell bent on finding a player of this archetype… tall, agile, and can shoot 3’s. They started with Gay, then Lyles, then Luka, and now Zach. They ARE trying to get taller and they’re looking for a specific type. They just have not been successful… until perhaps maybe now? Time will tell…

---

Interesting thoughts. Luka was such an asshole, a misanthrope narcissist and a Balkan version of a MAGAt. I'm glad I don't have to see him do his dumb dribble-behind-the-back move every time he drove that got blown up over and over. I wonder if he even went to those after-game dinners Pop likes to throw, or if he just sat there surly and moping.

Collins is well-coached from Gonzaga and seems to be a culture fit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

Collins stat line is terrible tbh. He might need a lot more reps in the G-League than Landale.

4-10 FG 8 PTS 1 RB 3 BLK 2 AST 1 STL 2 TO 3 PF 0-3 from 3

meanwhile Cacok dominated

---

The guy is rusty, no surprise here.

I didn’t watch the whole game but I thought he moved around relatively good

Hey I’m excited to see how this guy does. But he’s missed a lot of time and is still getting in game shape. I’m sure within a few games he’d dominate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

Collins stat line is terrible tbh. He might need a lot more reps in the G-League than Landale.

4-10 FG 8 PTS 1 RB 3 BLK 2 AST 1 STL 2 TO 3 PF 0-3 from 3

meanwhile Cacok dominated

---

Cacok has been dominating all year and barely gotten burn with the big club when we were down 5+ players. Sounds like Collins will be with the main team in a few games so long as his body feels good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Russ

Collins needs to play without injury. A bunch of games without injury.

That's the test, not any stat line.

---

Good point. Also why it makes sense to ease him into game play over the next few months.

İs this guy better than Jock?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Em-City

İs this guy better than Jock?

---

If heathy, yes. They could play together too …..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Em-City

İs this guy better than Jock?

---

Collins was the 10th pick in the 2017 draft. Jock went undrafted the next year.

Both are listed at 6'11" and both can shoot the three.

Hopefully their very different paths converge at the alter of Spurs success. :)

Collins is a better rim protector. If he’s healthy, he’s springier and better laterally.

I have this feeling that the Spurs want this dude at the 4 and not the 5

Second half Spurs could be a lot of fun to watch with Collins and Primo in the fold (especially if Forbes gets shipped).

We probably won't win a ton of games...but it will be interesting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

Collins stat line is terrible tbh. He might need a lot more reps in the G-League than Landale.

4-10 FG 8 PTS 1 RB 3 BLK 2 AST 1 STL 2 TO 3 PF 0-3 from 3

meanwhile Cacok dominated

---

dudes been out over a year
he's gonna be rusty
he's gonna have to regain confidence in his foot in order for his game to return

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Leetonidas

I have this feeling that the Spurs want this dude at the 4 and not the 5

---

DJ/White/Johnson/Zollins/Poeltl

perhaps for our SL?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

Collins stat line is terrible tbh. He might need a lot more reps in the G-League than Landale.

4-10 FG 8 PTS 1 RB 3 BLK 2 AST 1 STL 2 TO 3 PF 0-3 from 3

meanwhile Cacok dominated

---

And Cacock gets no run because....?

A Cacock thread now if you'd like to respond there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TDomination

DJ/White/Johnson/Zollins/Poeltl

perhaps for our SL?

---

Really solves a lot of the Spurs positional fit problems. Bolsters the bench too. Bring MCD off the bench to exploit the 2nd string but you still have the spacing in the starting 5 with Zollins hopefully replacing MCD's range accuracy.

The agility and rim protection potentially from Zollins makes Zollins/Poeltl an interesting pairing defensively.

One of Jock or Poeltl in at all times seems to secure the mins at the 5 better and the addition of Zollins slotting likely at the 4 might be just enough size to hide the current vulnerability.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MultiTroll

And Cacock gets no run because....?

A Cacock thread now if you'd like to respond there.

---

he can't shoot. Other than that he's an NBA player. If he had a 3-point shot he would take KBDs spot

Zollins playing with Keldon will be a lot of yelling tbh

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

he can't shoot. Other than that he's an NBA player. If he had a 3-point shot he would take KBDs spot

---

Nope. KBD is a more versatile defender, and is shooting 34% from long, right now. The three ball would get him on the 15 man roster, though. He be an energizer in games when we get worked on the boards.

Cacock definitely looked pretty good at times. I don't think he's shown nearly enough to be considered the prospect KBD is right now, but there's definitely athletic potential there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MannyIsGod

Cacock definitely looked pretty good at times. I don't think he's shown nearly enough to be considered the prospect KBD is right now, but there's definitely athletic potential there.

---

Agreed. I'm not sure he can switch onto guards like KBD, and KBD is shooting 34% from 3 in the NBA. There's some potential there for a deep bench slot.

What a win to cut Metu and pick up KBD. They were picked with consecutive second round picks, KBD first. I guess that's how quickly talent can drop off in a draft.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by exstatic

Agreed. I'm not sure he can switch onto guards like KBD, and KBD is shooting 34% from 3 in the NBA. There's some potential there for a deep bench slot.

What a win to cut Metu and pick up KBD. They were picked with consecutive second round picks, KBD first. I guess that's how quickly talent can drop off in a draft.

---

Talent in the draft, especially in the second round is all over the place. I don’t think this a matter of how quickly talent can drop off. Also their careers are pretty comparable across the board:

https://www.basketball-reference.com.../NBA_2018.html

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TDomination

DJ/White/Johnson/Zollins/Poeltl

perhaps for our SL?

---

:lmao That lineup is untenable in today's NBA. This notion of Collins being able to credibly play the four needs to die.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TD 21

:lmao That lineup is untenable in today's NBA. This notion of Collins being able to credibly play the four needs to die.

---

Do you say that because of his injury history affecting his prior mobility or because you don’t believe he had enough mobility and/or 3 point shooting in the first place? If it’s the latter, I think there’s room for a surprise. It seems the four was what most Blazers fans had envisioned for him before he went down again with an injury.

He can play the 4 & 5……..wise up TD 21

He seems to not have lost any mobility. I like him playing the 5, since he‘s a good rim protector, but he‘s definitely mobile enough to play the 4 and stay in front of guards

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dejounte

Do you say that because of his injury history affecting his prior mobility or because you don’t believe he had enough mobility and/or 3 point shooting in the first place? If it’s the latter, I think there’s room for a surprise. It seems the four was what most Blazers fans had envisioned for him before he went down again with an injury.

---

All of the above, plus his lack of handle. Fours are now oversized threes, save for unicorn style bigs who can get be playing alongside a complementary sort (usually a rim runner who can cross match) for stretches. He's neither.

That was a few years ago and out of necessity given that Nurkic was their third best player and they lacked the assets/financial flexibility to replace Aminu.

Not sure why there is this debate of whether he will play the 4 or 5. The NBA is more positionless than ever.

Hell, even Timmy is known as the greatest power forward ever even though he spent a lot of time playing center.

There are certain guys that fit the "center only" stereotype like Eubanks, but I think Collins' skillset should allow him to be PF/C combo as long as his foot doesn't try to fall off again.

Not in this sense though. That's more so for moving up the positional spectrum as opposed to down.

Given the lack of a surefire backup four and size at the position in general, it's not impossible we might occasionally see him alongside Landale in certain matchups. It'll just be a function of roster construction and not his being able to credibly play it.

The NBA isn't really more positionless than it was before. It's more that smaller scoring guards are now unambiguously SGs instead of PGs that need a guy like Manu to work, and everyone else has been pushed up a position to compensate, ultimately removing the distinction between non-combo-forward PFs and centers. So PGs still exist and are usually 6-4 and under. SGs are now anywhere from 6-5 to 6-3, SFs are between 6-7 and 6-5, PFs between 6-9 and 6-6 and centers are 6-9 and up. A seven-footer at PF only works if that player can win the matchup with his counterpart. That's either due to the larger guy helping the defense or taking advantage of the smaller player on offense. Back in the day, that's how it worked, and small-ball PFs were relatively rare because they couldn't be expected to guard bigs. Now, they don't have to guard them due both to the rule changes that make aggressive inside play harder to pull off without getting fouls and the smaller forwards being able to win with three-point shooting.

Collins has never been a good NBA player. I hope that changes, but folks are kidding themselves when they try to pretend otherwise. Nothing about him offensively is going to make him win his match-up, so he's going to have to be able to defend modern PFs in their environment to have any chance. If you look at Collins' best year (18/19), you'll see that he barely played PF and only did so with Meyers Leonard, who is basically a combo-big himself. It's like how Cacock and Landale played together. Replacing McDermott with Collins would likely be a major disaster for the offense.

Yep, Collins is going to have Zero input on who we select in this years draft. I hope he comes in though hungry can stay healthy and give us a good bench player sixth or eighth kinda guy

I would like Collins at the 4...but that means Keldon or McBuckets to the bench which is just about all of our 3 point shooting in a starting lineup. I assume he starts getting some spot minutes at the 5 and then Pop takes it from there...

i'm not hoping that collins is better than mcbuckets. i'm hoping that he's better than eubanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by poopbox

I would like Collins at the 4...but that means Keldon or McBuckets to the bench which is just about all of our 3 point shooting in a starting lineup. I assume he starts getting some spot minutes at the 5 and then Pop takes it from there...

---

I could see that……

None of McLovin, Keldon or Zollins are starting 4 material. They should at most be playing the 4 only situationally and ideally
in a backup capacity.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KingKev

None of McLovin, Keldon or Zollins are starting 4 material. They should at most be playing the 4 only situationally and ideally
in a backup capacity.

---

depends on the matchup. Last night Keldon wasn’t overpowered by OKC’s small line up. Other times, against a bigger athletic guys, KBD could start. KBD is actually becoming durable, can defend 1-4 or even 5. Let’s see how much mobility does Zollins on those legs. It would be great to have a mobile big who can shoot if ever

Saying the current NBA is "positionless" is the great modern day cliche of basketball analysis... it's not. A bunch of players are capable of sliding up or down one position, and a couple-- Giannis and Lebron-- can potentially play all five positions, but outside of that most players are relatively locked into their roles on teams. No one is starting Gobert at PG or Bryn Forbes at PF, and it's not like teams from the past haven't successfully experimented with positional adjustments before. The 1996 Bulls were the most successful team in history and started two SGs while relying on their SF to act as de facto PG on most offensive sets, but they had a traditional center and traditional (though slightly undersized) PF. The 2016 Warriors had a very traditional PG, a traditional SG, and a very traditional C. They had guys like Draymond and Iguodala who were versatile and could slide up or down a position, but overall were still adhering as a team to traditional roles. Last year's champs the Bucks had one guy who could pretty much play any position, a very strong combo guard in Jrue, and a swing player in Middleton who could occasionally slide up to PF, but most of the rest of the team slotted pretty traditionally into recognizable positions.

The main thing Collins should provide is solid rim protection off the bench. I think a Collins/Landale front court coming off the bench could work

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RC_Drunkford

The main thing Collins should provide is solid rim protection off the bench. I think a Collins/Landale front court coming off the bench could work

---

That may be optimistic. By the stats, Eubanks is a significantly better shot blocker than Zollins. But we shall see.