Trail Blazers’ Zach Collins: No fans means trash talk exposed
By Myer Lee
Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins said he is not only excited to return to play to compete but to also participate in some trash talk.
The screams of excitement, loud arena music and chants of “defense” usually hide the trash talk of NBA players. Unless they are sitting close to the sidelines, most NBA fans don’t hear players on the court.
When the NBA restarts on July 30, there could be arena music but certainly no fans because of COVID-19 restrictions.
In an interview with NBA media this week, Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins said he often thinks about how the lack of fans will expose players’ trash talk.
"“There’s definitely things said on the court that’s not for the faint of heart,” Collins said. “It’s going to be interesting to see how the NBA handles that.”"
Trash talk has been a part of the NBA for a long time. In 2016, FOX Sports made a list of the top 10 trash talkers in NBA history. The list included Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Gary Payton and Kevin Garnett.
In 2019, online sports website The Athletic did an anonymous NBA player poll. They interviewed 127 players—a quarter of the league—and asked them various questions like who is the best ball handler and who is the most underrated.
They also asked the players who they thought talks the most trash. The top three players were Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook and Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley, respectively. Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic also made the list.
Collins is not only a trash talker but is also relatively known for his sideline antics. He often celebrates demonstratively when his team is playing well. Earlier this season, the NBA created a video of Collins’ sideline reactions.
Other players that are known for histrionic reactions to personal or team success are Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Rockets guard James Harden.
Collins also said that his shoulder feels great. He added that he feels normal on the court as if his surgery did not happen.
Now that he is healthy, he can return to being himself. Collins said he does not plan to stop the trash talk because that’s how he plays.
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“I’m not going to change,” Collins said. “You all might hear some pretty vulgar language coming out of my mouth.”