Should this be seen as a sign that Gregg Popovich will continue on the bench Spurs next season? Still, the future Hall of Famer wanted to announce that Zach Collins would be the starting center for the Texas franchise in 2023/24.
” He did what was needed. He will be the guy who will start for us at position 5. »
A role that Zach Collins is used to San Antonio, since he has occupied it since the “trade deadline” and the departure of Jakob Poeltl to Toronto. Posting no less than 16.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 against on average, all in 29 minutes of play, 49% in shooting (including 39% at 3-pointers) and 80% in free throws .
Enough to convince Gregg Popovich to entrust him once again with his place as the starting pivot of the Spurs, even if a certain Victor Wembanyama were to land in Texas, because the Frenchman would probably be shifted to position 4 for the start of his career.
” He’s added 3-point shooting to his game, he’s better balanced in the post and he has good defense. The fact that he can shoot and that he has gained confidence at this level really makes him a lot more dangerous », continued the winningest manager in history, about his 25-year-old interior.
Hoping to associate it with Wembanyama?
Called to receive 7.7 million dollars in 2023/24, before being “free agent” in a year, the fragile Zach Collins was coming out of two almost white years in Portland, when he landed in San Antonio. Now, he seems to have finally found his place in the NBA, under the orders of Gregg Popovich, and in the Spurs locker room, he also seems to be unanimous.
” He’s been really, really good from the top post “, recently praised his teammate, Keita Bates Diop, seduced by his creative qualities. ” He knows the right passing angles, he knows how to direct others. »
A nice revenge, therefore, for the 10th choice of the 2017 Draft, who was able to take advantage of the opportunities presented to him in San Antonio to secure a place in the franchise with five NBA titles. Now only remains to determine which other strong winger or pivot will accompany Zach Collins, Jeremy Sochan, Khem Birch and Charles Bassey in the Texas workforce.
| Zach Collins | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | ORP | 66 | 16 | 39.8 | 31.0 | 64.3 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 4.4 |
| 2018-19 | ORP | 77 | 18 | 47.3 | 33.1 | 74.6 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 6.7 |
| 2019-20 | ORP | 11 | 26 | 47.1 | 36.8 | 75.0 | 2.3 | 4.0 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 7.0 |
| 2021-22 | SAN | 28 | 18 | 49.0 | 34.1 | 80.0 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 7.8 |
| 2022-23 | SAN | 63 | 23 | 51.8 | 37.4 | 76.1 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 6.4 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 11.6 |
| Total | 245 | 19 | 47.7 | 34.2 | 74.9 | 1.4 | 3.4 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 7.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
