Grading Every Hawks Player Through 30 Games
By Chris Guest
With 30 games in the books, the Atlanta Hawks have a 7-23 record. Let’s look back on those first 30 games by grading every player on the team who’s played more than 250 minutes this season, starting with…
John Collins
Grade: A+
Headlining our list is the Hawks’ current Rookie of the Year, and the current rookie leader in Player Efficiency Rating. John Collins has been everything and more for the Hawks this season, as his upside and physical gifts have been a huge boon for a team that desperately needs more talent at every position.
JC has already provided ample highlight reel footage, as his dunking ability (45 total dunks, 30 more than the second-highest on the team) should get him an invite to the All-Star Weekend’s Dunk Contest and Rising Stars Challenge.
For the year, John the Baptist has the highest PER on the Hawks with a 20.8. His 59.7 field goal percentage is second only to Dewayne Dedmon, and he is first on the team in total rebounds (163) and offensive rebounds (69).
In his 528 minutes of play, JC has a 1.8 win share – the highest on the team. Collins has been the Hawks’ best player, which is more than the Hawks could’ve ever asked from a 19th-overall pick in the 2017 draft. Collins is a dark horse Rookie of the Year contender, and good things happen whenever he’s on the court.
While currently on a minutes restriction after returning from a shoulder injury, once Collins becomes fully unleashed on the league via extended playing time… look out below.