Chris Street and Collison

[SwirlinLingerie]

For some reason, this thought has crossed my mind while watching Nick Collison in the playoffs the past few weeks.

Do you think Chris Street might have had a similar pro career as Collison?

Perhaps it is because of the Iowa connections, or a bit of a physical resemblance.

I tend to think Street would have found a nice niche coming off the bench for a number of years in the NBA. I think his size, while perhaps an inch shorter than Collison, would have projected similarly.

Like Collison, from the minute he'd enter the game he'd give great effort, play tough defense, and hit the glass hard. I think it's possible that he would have also had a nice 12-15 foot jumper that the opposing power forward would have had to respect, likely forcing him from the basket.

I think Street could have made a respectable career for himself in the league.

 

[JugadorHawk]

I wasn't aware Chris and Nick played football

Jokes aside, Chris was just starting to come into his own before his fatal accident, and I think he could have reached the AA status and the professional success that Collison reached. Nick could be even better than his role player niche now if he didn't have multiple shoulder surgeries. It's too bad Nick didn't become a Hawkeye because I don't really have that emotional connection with him like I do with other alums..

 

[David79]

I think Street could have been a nice back up PF in the league but I think Collison is better.

 

[JonDMiller]

I think Street could have been a nice back up PF in the league but I think Collison is better.

Collison more refined offensively...Street outworked people

 

[woodyk1]

Collison more refined offensively...Street outworked people

Collison is a guy who out-works others now as well ...

Nick Collison a surprise handful off the bench for Thunder

Collison made a critical contribution down in the low post, setting screens, doing the dirty work off the glass and twice coming up with offensive rebounds off tips that produced baskets.

He finished the game with eight points, including three dunks, and snatched 10 rebounds -- five off the offensive glass.

 

[ICHawk24]

Reggie Evans may be an even more apt comparison, although Street had a better offensive game and Evans was a better rebounder.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

Yep, but given Street's work ethic, and the fact he had two entire Big Ten seasons left to play, don't you think it's likely he would have refined his offensive game before heading to the association? Not many big 20 year olds, even those in the NBA, have scratched the surface on refining their offensive games.

 

[aaronzuriel]

Let no one forget that Chris had made 35 (?) free throws in a row before his passing. I suspect that he would have really developed a great 15 to 18 foot jump shot, maybe even extended his range to the 3 pointer.

He would have had a 10 plus year NBA career including lots of starts but more importantly lots of minutes and finishes resulting in wins.

I was lucky enough to see Street's final game in Cameron Indoor Stadium. I'll never forget Bobby Hurley blowing Chris a kiss (he later publicly apologized) My hate for DOOK began to grow even greater after that.

 

[DeputyHawk]

Collison is half the player Chris would have been in the NBA. Chris was avg 14 and 10 before he died with a very talented team. He was as hard nosed as they came in the big ten or the country. Collision was a finesse player. both good but Chris would have had a more successful career back in his prime in the NBA.

 

[Kinnick81]

Collison is half the player Chris would have been in the NBA. Chris was avg 14 and 10 before he died with a very talented team. He was as hard nosed as they came in the big ten or the country. Collision was a finesse player. both good but Chris would have had a more successful career back in his prime in the NBA.

Seriously? "Half the Player" I mean, that is absurd...

"Collison helped KU reach two consecutive Final Fours (2002, 2003). Collison finished his college career as the leading scorer in the history of the Big 12 Conference."

"Collison's #4 jersey was retired by the Kansas Jayhawks at halftime of a 2004 game between Kansas and Michigan State University,[2] in recognition of his achievements (2002–03 Player of the Year, consensus First-Team All-America, Big 12 Player of the Year)."

 

[DeputyHawk]

in the NBA, yes. Chris would have had the better career.

 

[Kinnick81]

Haha. Those are some serious black and gold goggles. Based all off of a guess. An 8 Year and counting pro career is no easy task.

 

[Foval21]

each would have had similar careers. yes chris was more physical but he also played in a much more physical time of basketball. each fits what they needed to do and they are a good comparison because they were/are limited athletically (compared to competition) but play incredibly well by maximizing their ability with work ethic.

 

[David79]

Collison is not a finesse player nor was he at KU.

 

[Foval21]

Collison is not a finesse player nor was he at KU.

i dont think he is a finesse player but he doesnt play as physically as street did. so comparatively that is where people are saying he is more finesse. not that he is a finesse player. the key is "more".

 

[Hawkeye27]

Random, but everytime I see this thread I see a collision on Ohio street.