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Blazers: Who should Zach Collins be studying in quarantine?

By Ryan Gaskin

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 06: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on prior to taking on the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center on February 06, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 06: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on prior to taking on the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center on February 06, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Kevin Love

I’m referencing Cleveland Cavalier, NBA Champion Kevin Love here. And that’s not a shade on the player he was in Minnesota, either.

Love in Minnesota weighed around 270 lbs. When he was traded to the Cavs, he dropped to almost 240. He needed to run more, and he needed to shoot more; in LeBron’s offense, Love wasn’t going to be a bruiser on the inside anymore.

Cleveland version of Kevin Love is a terrific study for Zach Collins, however. Like LeBron did in Cleveland (and anywhere else he played, I guess), Lillard draws a fair amount of double teams, leaving at least perimeter guy open.

In Cleveland, K-Love was either waiting out there or had drifted from the post once LeBron drew that double, and was elite at knocking down a jump-shot.

Love did it from the mid-range as well, usually running a pick-and-pop with either Kyrie Irving or LeBron. Collins becoming comfortable with this pick-and-pop action could be huge for Portland, and would give them a whole other offensive option.

Collins is already decent from three-point range- 3 games in this season he was shooting 42 percent- but he can definitely get better. He is not as polished in the mid-range, and whether it’s pick-and-pop with Dame or CJ, or even just calling for a post isolation, Collins can learn a lot by from the way Love plays offense.

Next. The Blazers returning for four games won’t be a good thing. dark

Zach Collins has an incredibly high ceiling, and I think Portland will begin to see that once he returns to the floor. Collins’ development is crucial to the Portland Trail Blazers’ chances of winning with Lillard, both on the offensive and defensive end.