{"id":7832,"date":"2017-06-23T10:44:55","date_gmt":"2017-06-23T14:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=7832"},"modified":"2019-03-06T13:40:02","modified_gmt":"2019-03-06T18:40:02","slug":"portland-trail-blazers-bolster-frontcourt-2017-nba-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2017\/06\/23\/portland-trail-blazers-bolster-frontcourt-2017-nba-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Daring Portland Trail Blazers Bolster Frontcourt in 2017 NBA Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Portland Trail Blazers have come out of the 2017 NBA Draft securing the services of longtime coveted big man Zach Collins<\/strong><\/a> with the #10 pick, and Caleb Swanigan<\/strong><\/a> with the #26 pick. Originally entering the draft with three first round picks, they traded their #15 and #20 picks with the Sacramento Kings, for the #10 pick, which eventually became Collins.<\/p>\n

2017 NBA Draft – A Smart Gamble for Portland\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Entering the draft, the Blazers’ main goal was to add a big man. Portland’s roster ranked second last in frontcourt scoring last season. Instead of picking two players they weren\u2019t too happy with, by surrendering both picks, they managed to obtain a high enough pick in turn to draft one of the most skilled big men in the class. Collins is an echelon higher than other big men that the Blazers may have been forced into taking had the trade not taken place.<\/p>\n

The franchise had expressed deep interest in him from a while ago, and was even prepared to draft him at #7, had a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves worked out enabling them to take the Timberwolves’ pick. Whether or not Zach Collins ever reaches his full potential is another question to consider, but credit is due to Neil Olshey, the general manager, for pulling the right strings to sign the player he most wanted.<\/p>\n

Zach Collins: Raw and Talented<\/b><\/h2>\n

Collins may not be streaks ahead of other power forwards and centers, but it is his high ceiling and large potential that made him such a worthy pick in the draft. Moreover, in this new era of ball-handling, shooting and \u2018perimeter\u2019 type centers, Collins fits well into matching those\u00a0criteria. He\u2019s less of an old-school, bully-in-the-paint type, and more of a big man with a smooth touch; an\u00a0archetype heavily coveted in today’s NBA.<\/p>\n

Young players tend to be more one-sided with their skillset. However, not all show signs of being capable on both ends of the floor. Collins has already begun showing signs of being a deadly scorer in the frontcourt – something the Blazers need badly – and using his height to defend the rim with power defensively.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s already developed a sweet shooting stroke, with field goal percentages and 3PT field goal clips of 0.652 and 0.476 respectively. Although the latter comes from a small sample size, it\u2019s important to note that on a technical basis, his action needs little work. This means that he can continue to make the same type of shot, without having anything about his shot altered by future NBA coaches. Maintaining that synchrony is key for any type of shooter.<\/p>\n

Moreover, while not known for his athleticism and dominance, Collins displays strong abilities to catch and finish lobs. A complete part of his game currently, though, is his low post scoring ability. Collins is able to use his IQ and technical know-how to execute successful moves in the post, flummoxing opponents.<\/p>\n