Atlanta Hawks Projected Starting Lineup for 2018-2019 Season
By Chris Guest
Atlanta Hawks Starting Power Forward: John Collins
The only change from our projected starting lineup from last season has Second Team All-Rookie member John Collins stepping into the hole left by the departure of Ersan Ilyasova last season.
JC was already starting games after Ilyasova was waived by the Hawks last season, so this change should come as no surprise.
Collins was almost certainly the Hawks’ best player last season, as he led the team in win shares and Player Efficiency Rating, though his scoring numbers and raw production lacked the punch of, say, Dennis Schröder’s.
Still though, Collins is a stunning athlete, and his fiery performances in the Utah and Las Vegas Summer Leagues were enough to put the league on notice that he is for real, and he is ready to take the league by storm as a starting four in the 2018-19 season.
Of course, incredible achievements in Summer League are a rather shoddy indicator of actual NBA production, but Collins’ natural strength, rebounding prowess and excellent touch around the rim should make him an excellent choice as the Atlanta Hawks’ starting power forward in the 2018-19 season.
Beyond that, JC showed multiple new skills in Summer League, such as an improved handle and ability to nominally create for himself off the dribble as well as a confident and good-looking three-point stroke, that he took with no hesitation during his limited time in Utah and Vegas.
Watch this space, because if JC can become a knockdown three-point shooter, the Hawks have a potent offensive weapon on their hands for years to come.