Grading the most impactful Spurs in their In-Season Tournament finale

Zach Collins

It was a rough night for Zach Collins, the elder statesman of the starting lineup. The Spurs struggled to make shots from beyond the arc, but Collins had a particularly challenging time, going 0-of-7 from deep. Unfortunately, this has been a recurring issue for Collins this season, and this game against the Warriors was no exception. Despite his ice-cold shooting, he recorded six assists, one of the few silver linings in an otherwise frustrating performance from the veteran center.

We are still early into the season, and Collins could regain his shooting form. Gregg Popovich seems confident the seven-footer will rediscover his stroke, which is evident from all the plays he calls that result in Collins taking a triple. In the meantime, he should focus on his defensive efforts and continue playmaking for others from the high post. The Spurs lack communication in the half-court, and it is up to Zach to be a guiding beacon for this young squad.

Collins should not take all the blame for San Antonio falling short versus the Warriors. Other players struggled to score and defend. He is slowly proving he deserves his recent contract extension and may be worth an even bigger payday at some point down the line. Additionally, it would behoove the coaching staff to experiment with different lineups and not always have Zach playing alongside Wembanyama.

Grade: D