Zach Collins, Caleb Swanigan introduced at press conference
By Dayton Brown
Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan, the 10th and 26th selections, are officially Portland Trail Blazers today.
GM Neil Olshey and head coach Terry Stotts sat alongside the future of their team Monday afternoon, as Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan were introduced at a press conference.
The presser gives fans and media a chance to meet the new draft picks for the first time. The players also reveal the number they will be wearing for the team, which is 33 for Collins and 50 for Swanigan.
Coinciding with being introduced, each player, as well as Stotts and Olshey, were asked questions from the press; questions range from their draft night feelings to what they expect in training camp.
Here are some questions, answers, quotes and takeaways from today’s introductory press conference.
Draftees on their level of excitement to be Trail Blazers:
Swanigan: “I’m just looking forward, mainly, to the opportunity. That’s the biggest thing I’ve always wanted, a chance, and that’s what the Blazers are giving me. So I’m ready for it, I’m excited.”
Collins: “I’m real excited. It’s a great organization. I think it’s a great place to start my career.”
Swanigan on what it meant to hear his name called:
“Draft night meant everything. I was excited, and, the way I’m wired, the next day I was just ready to be successful at the next level.”
Collins on leaving after freshman year:
“I just felt like my game was in the right spot to make the next step. It’s been a dream of mine [to play in the NBA] and I wanted to take advantage of it.”
Stotts on first impression of the picks:
“They’re aggressive and I like their mentality. And, probably more than anything at this stage, I like the players they are going to become…what they bring to the team now and in the future is very encouraging.”
Collins on his toughness:
“I think it started with my dad because when he played, he wasn’t the most skilled guy all the time, but he was probably the meanest wherever he went.”
Olshey on if he’s content with the current roster:
“We’re never content with the roster. Our goal is everyday we wake up looking to find ways to improve the roster. To accelerate what we’ve been trying to do that last couple of years and make the team more competitive…but, look, until we get into October, and training camp starts, the roster is always in a state of flux.”
Draftees on their perception of Portland:
Swanigan: “The biggest thing that’s been consistent through everyone is they say the fan base is really strong.”
Collins: “Yeah, just what Caleb said. The fan base, what I’ve heard and seen over the years is just incredible.”
Takeaway 1:
Collins and Swanigan both said that Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkić contacted them either on draft night or the day after.
Takeaway 2:
Olshey also mentioned that everyone knows the Blazers are the youngest team in the NBA, but also the youngest to make back-to-back playoff appearances. Do his comments allude to some form of a trade to come soon?
Takeaway 3:
Olshey wrapped up the press conference discussing injuries and hinted at possibly more moves the Blazers could make. According to Olshey, Nurkić, Ed Davis and Allen Crabbe will all be ready for training camp after recovering from separate surgeries.
He also mentioned the amount of money in the league’s marketplace ($450 million), and that there is still room for trades and other moves despite the team currently having a full roster.
Next: What makes up the player Zach Collins is?
If you weren’t already excited for Collins and Swanigan to be part of the team, you are now. They showed incredible maturity and eagerness to play today. Olshey and Stotts had nothing but fantastic things to say about both players; they have no doubt they’ll compete their butts off leading into the season and beyond.