Was Collins hurt?

Jmeeks54thebest

All-American
Apr 18, 2009
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Collins is not ready, imo.
Agreed. Has a lot of tools to become an elite player. But he lacks size, polish, and needs acclimation to the college level. If we don’t get a high quality transfer he could have a big breakout sophomore season in the latter half. Otherwise I like him as a starter his junior year and high first round pick.
 

fatguy87

All-American
Oct 8, 2004
13,764
9,093
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Collins should be getting all of Ware's minutes on principle. He's a better player right now and has a higher ceiling. For whatever reason, he's lost in the shuffle at the 4.

Practically, it doesn't matter that much for the season. Collins playing the 5-10 minutes that Oscar can't won't likely be significantly different result wise than Ware getting the time due to how scant the playing time is.
 

jessieshorts8

Heisman
Jun 2, 2019
5,256
14,723
113
He just started playing at 16 so he has a very long way to go.Hopefully he is patient and doesn't transfer.
 

STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
65,190
58,369
98
I just don’t see Collins making any kind of an impact this season. 15 years ago he’s a guy who rides the pine until he matures and gets stronger and contributes as a sophomore and beyond. That kid looks like a baby giraffe out there right now.
 

K_TIME

Heisman
Jan 2, 2003
18,408
25,734
113
Collins’s isn’t ready but why we don’t grab five minute in a blow out at end assure he won’t help at all down the stretch

silly to keep Oscar and starter on floor final five minutes
 

LmdCat

Heisman
Jan 8, 2006
23,627
18,895
0
I just don’t see Collins making any kind of an impact this season. 15 years ago he’s a guy who rides the pine until he matures and gets stronger and contributes as a sophomore and beyond. That kid looks like a baby giraffe out there right now.
I know he isn't Kevin Durante, but the talking heads thought that Kevin was too skinny to play. It is amazing what a kid can do if he feels like his coach and teammates have confidence in him. There are guys playing the game that he outperformed in AAU ball so the talent is there.
 

mcwildcats04

Heisman
Jul 19, 2003
9,204
12,791
93
Collins should be getting all of Ware's minutes on principle. He's a better player right now and has a higher ceiling. For whatever reason, he's lost in the shuffle at the 4.

Practically, it doesn't matter that much for the season. Collins playing the 5-10 minutes that Oscar can't won't likely be significantly different result wise than Ware getting the time due to how scant the playing time is.
Yep, spot on.
 

CB3UK

Hall of Famer
Apr 15, 2012
64,391
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I know he isn't Kevin Durante, but the talking heads thought that Kevin was too skinny to play. It is amazing what a kid can do if he feels like his coach and teammates have confidence in him. There are guys playing the game that he outperformed in AAU ball so the talent is there.
I like it. KD's spicy alter ago....Kevin Duranté.

 

LmdCat

Heisman
Jan 8, 2006
23,627
18,895
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You should have just stopped there. There’s a big difference between being super skinny but having an all-time elite skill level, and bring super skinny AND basketball raw. There’s one Kevin Durant.
You don't have to tell me about Kevin. I live in the DC area where Durant grew up. I am friends with one of his former coaches and I coached in the same league he played in.
 

CB3UK

Hall of Famer
Apr 15, 2012
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This may come as a shock, but people are capable of doing both.
Hes not ready to contribute meaningful minutes. When the guys on the bench who are don't get run in that situation I get the complaint.
Right now to be blunt, this is like complaining Zam didn't get off the bench. Collins is a multi year guy. He'll be out there tearing it up like Nick Richards soon enough. But not this year.
 

LmdCat

Heisman
Jan 8, 2006
23,627
18,895
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Hes not ready to contribute meaningful minutes. When the guys on the bench who are don't get run in that situation I get the complaint.
Right now to be blunt, this is like complaining Zam didn't get off the bench. Collins is a multi year guy. He'll be out there tearing it up like Nick Richards soon enough. But not this year.
As someone previously posted, why did Cal play him on the road at LSU if he isn't ready to play?
 
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UKWildcats1987

Heisman
Sep 9, 2021
20,144
35,553
113
Cal’s playing time for players puzzles me. In a game against a ranked LSU game on the road you see Collins, Allen , and Hopkins for almost double digit minutes. In a game at home against a 5-9 Georgia team you don’t hardly see Collins, Allen , or Hopkins at all!

And the latter is the better recipe for success.
 

rob_47

All-Conference
Jun 17, 2020
971
1,911
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Sometimes I feel like Cal has changed a bit and not as quick to give these high rated freshman as many minutes as he would in the past. I think Collins should probably get a few more minutes than he does and I think he would randomly contribute big numbers in some games here and there.

At the same time he does get pushed around so I really think Cal is hoping to get him back for next season and he can be a huge part of our team and a top 10 pick. He really has great upside and is very fluid for a guy that tall and explosive. Definitely has some Durant like vibes.
 

CB3UK

Hall of Famer
Apr 15, 2012
64,391
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As someone previously posted, why did Cal play him on the road at LSU if he isn't ready to play?
Cal was scrambling for answers and trying to find anything that might serve as a spark plug. He had Mintz and Allen on the court together at one point. He was throwing **** at the wall to see what might stick, which was dumb.
 
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Jan 10, 2015
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And the latter is the better recipe for success.
I agree totally and if the latter would’ve happened at LSU we actually beat a ranked team on their court! That’s the whole point about Cal’s playing time for the guys is so damn puzzling! He needs to play to win because games from Nov-Feb matter they help with the March- April run!
 
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LmdCat

Heisman
Jan 8, 2006
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Sometimes I feel like Cal has changed a bit and not as quick to give these high rated freshman as many minutes as he would in the past. I think Collins should probably get a few more minutes than he does and I think he would randomly contribute big numbers in some games here and there.

At the same time he does get pushed around so I really think Cal is hoping to get him back for next season and he can be a huge part of our team and a top 10 pick. He really has great upside and is very fluid for a guy that tall and explosive. Definitely has some Durant like vibes.
You should be careful talking about Durant because posters who know nothing about him will post as if they do. When Durant was playing high school ball, there were lots of talking heads who said he was too skinny. There was a lot of effort to make him bigger. Montrose Christian was the only school that didn't worry about his lack of bulk. They marveled of his raw talent and worked with him to make his size an advantage.
 

gojvc

All-American
Feb 5, 2005
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Agreed. Has a lot of tools to become an elite player. But he lacks size, polish, and needs acclimation to the college level. If we don’t get a high quality transfer he could have a big breakout sophomore season in the latter half. Otherwise I like him as a starter his junior year and high first round pick.
Something tells me that your projection here involves a little more time at Kentucky than he was planning on spending.
 
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Jmeeks54thebest

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Something tells me that your projection here involves a little more time at Kentucky than he was planning on spending.
Yeah, definitely. I don’t doubt he will at least try to leave early. I was just trying to predict his most optimal path to success while here.

And contrary to what these guys think, you don’t have to bolt after your first or second year to make it in the NBA.
 
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LmdCat

Heisman
Jan 8, 2006
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Something tells me that your projection here involves a little more time at Kentucky than he was planning on spending.
You are probably right about the additional time. Unfortunately, some other team will use his lack of playing time to encourage him to transfer. So, time isn't in UK's favor. Another coach will tell him that Cal will recruit over you and you will become another Allen, Mintz, etc.
 
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