Injured in the finger on April 6 against Portland, Zach Collins missed the last two regular season games. Though initially thought to be a minor issue, the cut he sustained on his finger became infected, causing swelling. Result ? He had to go to the hospital for surgery. A surgery that took place last Saturday.
“There is nothing serious anymore, I just have to recover from the operation. They had to anesthetize me. I wasn’t completely in a daze, but I was more in a trance and I didn’t feel anything anymore. They incised the finger and removed the infections that were there, and now it only remains to heal” detailed Zach Collins. “I will meet the doctor again on Thursday and hopefully he can give me a better idea of when I can get back on the pitch and train. He said he wanted me to stay in San Antonio for about a week so he could monitor the finger after the operation. But I don’t think we have to wait long before I can get back on the pitch and get back to work.”.
New responsibilities
A desire to return to the field as quickly as possible which can be understood, since Zach Collins, 25, has just had his best career season.
For his second campaign in San Antonio, he played 63 games against only 28 last season. He averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds on 52% shooting including 37% from 3-pointers in 23 minutes per game. A progression that convinced Gregg Popovich to grant him a place in the five majors next year.
“He will be our starting pivot next season” had warned the Spurs coach. “He has improved a lot. It’s really something to have that post 5 shooting 3-pointers, and he will shoot even better in the future. He is ready to do anything to succeed, and always gives his all. All coaches appreciate that kind of stuff.”.
A confidence that does not leave the protagonist indifferent, who has nothing but respect for his trainer.
“When you have a coach as successful and respected as Pop who says that, it makes you feel good to hear it, it makes me feel that all the work I have done throughout my career, and not just after my injuries , was worth it “ enjoyed Zach Collins. “Any time your coaching staff believes in you so much and moreover confirms it publicly, it gives you a lot of confidence. But with that comes great responsibility. I can’t wait to hit the court and prove that I’m up to it.”.
Eyes on next season
Often hampered by injuries very early in his career, the 10th choice of the 2017 Draft never managed to win in Portland. Arrived in San Antonio in 2021, he was barred by the presence of Jakob Poeltl. But now, the latter was traded to the Raptors at the “trade deadline”. Zach Collins then seized the opportunity. In his 19 starts following the Jakob Poeltl trade, he had 16.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals at 39.2 percent from 3-point range.
He thus ended the season in sparkling form, with 12 straight games at least 10 points. In his last 9 games of the season, he averaged 19.2 points and 7.9 rebounds at 43.9% from 3-pointers!
“Offensively, I’ve made a big leap forward this year, but I have to keep up the momentum.” pointed out Zach Collins. “Consistency will be key for me, and I really want to arrive in better shape than this year to be able to play many minutes as a starter, stay on the pitch and be healthy. I think that will be my priority every summer from now on, to prepare my body in order to be as fit as possible throughout the season.”.
On a collective level, Zach Collins is rather optimistic about Spurs’ ability to deliver a much better season next year. As a reminder, they finished the season in the slums of the Western Conference, with a poor record of 22 wins for 60 losses.
“We will come into next year with a different mindset, especially defensively” entrusted the pivot. “I like the players we have in this squad right now, and regardless of who we add this summer, I know the organization will take players who complement what we already have. And given the way we are coached, I am very optimistic..
This last sentence is perhaps a clue, which indicates that Gregg Popovich will still be the coach of Spurs next season. At the latest news, he still has not communicated on his future.
| 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.
