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Portland Trail Blazers reserve big man Zach Collins is drawing raves for the start of his second NBA season. Collins is averaging 10.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in a dozen appearances so far, but his impact goes deeper than that, especially on the defensive end. According to Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts, Collins reminds him of another impressive Blazers defender from years of yore.
Mike Richman of NBCSports Northwest has the quote:
“I was with Joel Przybilla his rookie season in Milwaukee,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said on Thursday. “And to me, Zach’s a more skilled offensive player, but he reminds me to some degree of Joel. As far as his length, his timing, his aggressiveness, his fearlessness. I think Joel had really good defensive instincts as a 19-year-old coming in.”
Przybilla played 13 seasons in the NBA, 8 of them with the Blazers. Collins exceeds Przybilla’s scoring numbers already and roughly equals his blocked shots, though rebounding has a ways to go. Even if the NBA sophomore never exceeds Pryzbilla’s career length or rebounding rate, though, he’ll always be the MVP of being easier to spell.