In an impressive rookie class, Zach Collins flies under the radar, much like the team he plays for.
Bleacher Report recently published an article predicting the 2017-2018 NBA-All-Rookie teams. Not surprisingly, Zach Collins failed to make the first or second team, but did receive an honorable mention. The 10th overall pick fell under B/R’s “Small Roles, Big Winners category alongside OG Anunoby and Royce O’Neal.
Even with a Portland-bias, it’s obvious Collins doesn’t deserve a place on the All-Rookie first team. Bleacher Report’s top five rookies are fairly accurate: Ben Simmons, Donovan Mitchell, Jayson Tatum, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball.
The next five rookies show a focus on statistics over benefit to their respective teams, though. B/R’s All-Rookie second team includes Lauri Markannen, Dennis Smith Jr., De’Aaron Fox, John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
Those five rookies play for four different teams, all of which are already eliminated from the playoffs. But because of their respective situations, minutes (and therefore stats) are much easier to come by.
Zach Collins, on the other hand, had to prove his worth to Blazers head coach Terry Stotts.
Zach Collins earned spot in lineup
Collins initially demonstrated a lack of offense and discipline, racking up more fouls than points through his first seven games. Then, in the brief three-game gap without Jusuf Nurkic, Stotts called on the rookie to play big minutes. We wrote about Collins’ noteworthy improvement that came with this extended play time over the next few months.
Still, Collins averages an overlookable 4.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.5 blocks on 40.4% shooting from the field and 34.5% from three per game. Grant Hughes correctly mimics the eventual All-Rookie voting by favoring players posting better “basic” stats.
But Zach Collins has been essential to a Blazers bench unit that contributed to the 13-game win streak, especially his pairing with Ed Davis.
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Defensively, he’s already an elite rim protector. Of forwards playing at least 20 games this season, he ranks first in defensive field goal percentage within six feet of the basket. Opponents connect on 45.8% of shots close to the rim – the next closest is Paul Millsap at 46.9%.
Pushing the area back to ten feet and in, Collins still ranks top three among big men who have suited up in 20 or more games. 45.3% of opponent shots fall with him defending.
In fact, for all two-point field goals, the rookie sits behind esteemed defenders Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis in opponent percentage.
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Although his general stats aren’t eye-catching, Zach Collins is an integral piece of Portland’s current success. He’s developed faster than anyone expected, especially after a concerning summer league debut.
Most end-of-the-season NBA awards unfortunately look at the simple numbers, though. Because Collins plays a limited offensive role on a non-tanking team, he likely won’t make an All-Rookie team. But with a star-studded rookie class, ZC getting an honorable mention from Grant Hughes shows the improvement is evident.