Classy Send-Off

One last time, for old time’s sake, to show his appreciation for 6 ½ years of service, Lawrence Frank started Jason Collins at center. Collins answered the bell with two handed rim rattler to open the game. Barring a reprieve, the Nets will officially ship Collins to Memphis for former Number Two pick (2000) Stromile Swift on Monday, making tonight Collins’ send off.

Offensively challenged, lacking athletic ability – his vertical leap makes it hard to slide a piece of paper under his feet – other than his 7-foot stature, Collins is not the prototypical NBA player. His offensive statistics rank among the lowest of all NBA players, and have perennially been the worst of any NBA starter. Teams did not even have to defend Collins, often leaving the Nets in 5-on-4 situations. Fans called for his head, stat heads ridiculed him, yet Frank stuck with him.

Through it all Collins acted professionally. Not only with his astute off the court comments, but with his workmanlike attitude on the court. For 6+ years Twin brought his best effort night in, night out. He never complained, not when Frank benched him, not when fans booed him. He played through injuries when the team needed him, as Frank echoed in his pre-game remarks on YES Network. Collins handled everything as a consummate professional, right down to this weekend, when the Nets – having already agreed to a trade with Memphis –short-handed with Malik Allen and Jamaal Magloire out of action, looked to Collins, already a lame duck, to step in. No problem.

Stats aside, Collins is by far the best defensive frontcourt player the Nets have. Coaches should play film of how he defends the pick and roll – hedge on the dribbler to push him away from the basket, and then quickly recover while cutting off the passing lane – for young players.

Collins became an easy target for fans when the Nets went south in recent years, given his lack of offensive output and continued playing time. On a struggling team that often needs help scoring, Collins simply does not fit, he no longer has a place on this team. Though Swift may not be the answer, he brings a bevy of unfulfilled potential. Collins defense, hustle, and solid screening belong on the bench for a championship caliber team, as a role player. Memphis may be furthest from the ideal destination, but no doubt Collins will give it 100% starting Monday.

By the end of the month, Richard Jefferson may remain the last link to the Nets back-to-back Eastern Conference championship teams. The Collins trade – and what follows with Kidd – will officially end the most successful era in franchise history. Collins soon to be former teammate should take some notes on how to act with class.