Look for emerging youth, same Damian Lillard in Portland
By Ty Delbridge
2. Zach Collins in the running for the Most Improved Player
Zach Collins is going into his third season and though he won’t be able to play in the Rising Stars game, he has a chance to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Only 21, Collins is going into the year when players usually have their breakout season.
He played in some big games during the regular season and playoffs and he played very well in those games. That only helped build confidence for him going forward.
Now that the longtime starter at power forward, Al-Farouq Aminu, is with the Orlando Magic, Collins will most likely be the new starter. He will be asked to play big minutes down low at forward and at center while Jusuf Nurkic recovers. Collins is 7’0” and can space the floor as a shooter and can score in the post, while defensively, he aggressively defends the rim.
He is one of those rare “Unicorn” type bigs that organizations are searching for.
The Blazers will have a chance to lead the NBA in blocked shots with both Whiteside and Collins playing big minutes right away. Collins’ stats should take a considerable leap in 2019-20. Through his first two seasons, he is averaging 5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 16.8 minutes per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from the 3-point line.
This season, Collins should start every game even when Nurkic is back and play 25-30 minutes per night. If the Blazers make the playoffs and he is a big part of it, there’s no question he should be in the running for the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Collins will put up career-high stats and start more games than he has in his NBA career so far.
Even if he doesn’t win the award, Collins is going to earn a ton of respect this season and is going to introduce himself to a lot of NBA fans.
Stats prediction for Collins
He starts every game he plays in, at least 72. Averages 12.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 48 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from the 3-point line.