Well, it's great that he's gotten stronger. I just wonder if getting bigger and heavier is wise considering he's coming off of a knee injury. I just hope that somewhere down the line he works to improve his quickness and agility. But I certainly applaud his work ethic. I look forward to Jason challenging Cato for playing time this year.
Well, Rocket River, I'm not black. I'm Hispanic. I just don't like it when people are derided because of their race. To me, once a player is a Rocket, I'm going to root for him, regardless.
I root for Collier just the way I root for all the other weird resident white guys we have on the team. I don't think the Rockets are racist or keep him on the team because he's white. I really don't, but I think the "weird white guy phenomenon" is ever-so-slightly hilarious. I mean, its not the white thing that I notice, so much as the weird thing. Like I don't consider Bullard to have been "weird white guy." But I sure as hell consider Collier to be "wierd white guy." Dave Feitl? Dave Jamerson? David Wood? I mean, seriosuly, forget that they are white -- they are straight up weird looking. Real weird. And white to boot. Whatever. Go Collier. Sorry I brought it up. Just teasing. CBFC
I agree there is racism to a SLIGHT degree with Collier. I think that there were a segment people assumed since he is a big white guy who isn't overly athletic that he isn't going to amount to anything. But that is a small segment of people, I think a lot of people that didn't want Collier were upset that he was used at the #9 pick, and felt burned after the Zwikker pick, even though Zwikker was a late pick. Either way I think Collier can win over most of the people with hard work and solid contribution. Prove the doubters wrong Jason! JC! JC!
I liked the way he would run the floor. Right towards the basket, all the way with his head up ready to take a pass. He scored several times on those plays simply because the opposing centers wouldn't deny it and weren't expecting it. I think he'll probably be more fundamentally sound than Cato, and that will pay dividends - setting picks, rolling, fading, nice jump shot. For a while, before he got hurt, I actually thought he might get ROY consideration. Of course, the rest of the field sucked, but I think he was playing better than expected. As a rookie, that's always a plus. He's still on the roster, and that's something the Hamiltons, Washingtons, Zwikkers, Millers, Roberts, etc. can't say.
Glad to see we have at least one center with motivation... Wait a minute... Motivation? Potential? Quick! Sign Collier to a 7 year deal! Oh, wait... Scratch that. My bad.
I haven't seen Collier play too much (of course, he hasn't actually played that much) but the comments I've heard from some are that Collier is willing to 'mix it up' down low. At the same time, few if anyone on the BBS consider him a 'banger' type, despite the fact that he seems to have an appropriate size. Anyone (preferably someone in addition to TheCat ) care to characterize Collier's one-on-one defensive abilities/potential and how this weight increase may affect them?
I apologize, particularly to Rocket River, for sounding a little testy today. I have a chest cold, but that's no excuse. My point is that Collier is doing all that he can to upgrade his level of play for the Rockets, and we should be more supportive than critical. If Cato puts out the same kind of effort, we should be supportive of him as well. I know Collier came with baggage because the Rockets traded Pryzbilla for him. Pryz didn't do that much for the Bucks last year just as Collier did not play a significant Rocket role. However, this year Collier has a much greater opportunity to contribute to the Rox than Pryz has for the Bucks. Pryz is the better rebounder, Collier is the better shot. However, Ervin Johnson and Kelvin Cato will be the most important factors in determining the roles these guys will have.
I'm happy to see Collier has beefed up....but if he can't make it down the floor with the extra lbs kinda defeats the purpose.
If that were true , then why not just mention that he is a "weird guy" instead of mentioning that he is white. There are weird people from all walks of life and all colors. A person's race has absolutely nothing to do with the kind of person he is. BTW - if Collier or even Cato had half as much hustle and drive that David Wood had, we not even worry about the center position. Maybe you were just joking but joking about race has a tendency to be more offensive than humorous.
Four responses-- (1) I worry the added weight will negatively impact his ability to overcome the knee inury; (2) I wish Cato had this guy's offseason work ethic; (3) Collier did show steady improvement in the games he played last season. And he does have a pretty sweet mid-range jump shot; and (4) All this white guy/racist discussion or attempts at humor should completely cease. It's hypocritical and in poor taste, not to mention a slippery slope.
Joe Fan, Last offseason, Cato did bulk up with additional muscle, so in this regard, Cato did show Colliers work ethic.
More than likely, some of the weight/muscle gain is in his legs. If I had just injured my knee(which I did a few years ago.), then I would work on strengthening my Quadriceps, Hamstrings, & Calves. The quads & hamstrings are the biggest muscles in your body, so by doing a lot of squats, with heavy weight, you would definitely put on some muscle weight. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the fact that he had to have burned off some of the baby fat that he had, which would mean that he's actually put on more than 20 lbs of muscle. Muscle actually burns fat for fuel, even when you're not exercising. That's why, if you're ever in a gym, the trainers will always tell you to lift as well as do cardio work. As far as those that feel the added weight will slow him down, that is not necessarily true. Again, if you've ever worked out in the gym on a consistent basis, then you've experienced the increased energy & stamina that consistent, hard work gives you. I can't wait to see the new & improved Collier on the floor.
When will the season, or at least preseason start? It seems it was a very productive summer for Collier. He can become a very good backup center in this league, which is what the Rockets drafted him for. He did lead the ACC in rebounding in college, with over 9 per game, playing next to an NBA prospect at center (Alvin Jones). Hopefully, this added muscle will allow him to hang in there and rebound like he did in college.
Couple of notes, and questions 1. Why Did Collier have to add 25 lbs to begin with. He is NOT the banger type. Does not play much in the lane. I personally dont see the need for it unless Collier is willing to change his game completely. I mean. Hakeem was always around 255. No one would of thought Hakeem at 280 would of been a good idea, because it didnt fit his game. 2. I will still attest that Collier would be much more better served to play in the NBA as Power Foward (hell if he could get down to 250 and improve his foot speed he'd be better off a 3 in the mold of a Matt Bullard). I know that there is a limited amount of Centers out there and talent is thin. But Collier is not a rebounder, shot blocker, lane intimidator, dunking, put back type player which for the most part is what you want from your typical 5. 3. Call me crazy, but looking at that picture on the front page of Mr. Collier on the front page, looks like there is a bit of baby fat around the mush of Mr. Collier. 4. Someone remind me when exactly Collier became "the shooter" that he was. I think some of us are confusing likes to shoot from outside with lableling him a shooter. 5. Dear god I hope he does improve greatly, cause its evident that Cato isnt up to it.
I am almost positive that we're gonna get good Cato news soon. I don't know,it's just a feeling. Also, why can't Collier be an inside and outside player? If he's playing against big guys, he can use his strength, when against TOO big guys, he can go outside. Whatever. He is a rebounder though, he averaged 9 a game in College, and did lead some type of Conference or something in rebounding. But, I dunno. How much slower can he get? I think he's gonna come out great. Here's to hoping we get great offense outta Collier, and great Defense outta Cato.
Dreamshake, @ this past revue, Dench told me that Collier apparently has a better inside game than he does, whereas Dench has 3 point range. That really means nothing, unless we all in a crazy fit attest to Dench being a good standard player to judge against... but I did find a hint of "the Rockets attest to his (Collier's) inside game" yadda yadda in the tone of Dench's voice. I just found that interesting.
