Soaring Down South
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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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#2: Scoring and Trae Pressure

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 28: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks an alley-oop pass from Trae Young #11 against Joel Embiid #21 and Josh Richardson #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half 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 dunks an alley-oop pass from Trae Young #11 against Joel Embiid #21 and Josh Richardson #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half 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) /

Trae Young is always going to get his buckets – but Collins being out have made it more difficult.

Not only is JC Trae’s favorite target for the lob, but he’s easily the 2nd-best scoring option on the offensive end.

Teams are not only more likely to double Trae at half court, it’s now much more likely to work.

Yes, Jabari Parker and De’Andre Hunter have stepped up on that side of the court, but neither demand the attention Collins does, who can score from just about anywhere.

He shot 57% as a rookie, 56% last year, and while he was down to 52% through his first 5 games, he still is more than effective at scoring.

The void in points he left are easier to fill than the rebounding, but no other big man on the roster is as consistent in putting the ball through the hoop.

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