Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks’ 3 Biggest Things Missing Without John Collins

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 9: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a photo before the game against the Orlando Magic during the preseason on October 9, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 9: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a photo before the game against the Orlando Magic during the preseason on October 9, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Looking at the 3 biggest things Atlanta is missing while John Collins is suspended.

Earlier this month, Atlanta Hawks’ forward John Collins was suspended 25 games after testing positive for a growth hormone.

The 3rd-year stud last played on Halloween, leaving as the team’s leading rebounder and second leading scorer.

Atlanta is 2-7 in the handful of games post-suspension, and it’s clear they’re missing the high-flying big man.

Here we’ll be ranking the 3 biggest aspects of Collins’ game that the Hawks are missing – and will likely continue to miss for the rest of his absence.

#1: Rebounding

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks tips in a game-tying rebound in the final seconds against Al Horford #42, Tobias Harris #12 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on October 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks tips in a game-tying rebound in the final seconds against Al Horford #42, Tobias Harris #12 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena on October 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

As mentioned earlier, JC was the Hawks’ leading board-grabber through his five games this season, and he was also their leading rebounder last year, when he averaged 9.8 per game.

The Hawks have been out-rebounded by more than 2 a game sans Collins, and in certain matches like the Portland and Clippers ones, played a key role in the Hawks’ loss.

Jabari Parker, Collins’ main replacement, has pulled down 6.1 per contest, while the center position has struggled to supplement.

Alex Len is averaging 4.8 boards while Damian Jones is just grabbing 3.6.

Collins is a tenacious rebounder who uses his omnipresent athleticism to soar for nearly 10 rebounds per game.

It’s clear no other big man on the roster is going to fill his shoes in that way, and the Hawks will likely be out-rebounded even more through the remainder of the suspension.

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