Soaring Down South
Fansided

Exploring John Collins’ Underrated 20-10 Season

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 22: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at State Farm Arena on February 22, 2020 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 22: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the first half of an NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at State Farm Arena on February 22, 2020 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Taking a look at John Collins’ terrific season for the Atlanta Hawks.

The meteoric rise to stardom for Trae Young has taken the Atlanta Hawks and the rest of the NBA by storm. And while that attention has been rightfully earned, it’s cast a bit of a shadow over John Collins‘ equally impressive season.

The third-year forward has been a constant force for Atlanta — while on the court. It’s hard to talk about his season without mentioning the 25 game suspension he was hit with in November, in which the Hawks went 4-21. In the 32 games he has played, JC has improved on his excellent sophomore season.

Down the stretch last year, Collins was on such a tear that he came close to averaging a 20-point,10-rebound season. He came up just short, finishing the season with 19.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

This year, JC has caught up to that, and after recording 35 points and 17 rebounds against the Mavs, he’s recorded averages of 20.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in his 32 games. The other players to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Nikola Jokic. Pretty elite company. Of those players, Collins’ 57.7 field goal percentage is highest.

Taking away the impressive numbers, Collins also passes the eye test with ease. He’s notably improved defensively, blocking way more shots and keeping the fouls down. Lloyd Pierce has experimented more with playing Collins at the five, where’s he’s held his own defensively and on the boards.

On offense he’s kept the insane athleticism that he’s modeled his game around, forming an even tighter chemistry with Trae Young’s lobs.

He still has room to improve on his post moves, but has continued to take smart shots without forcing anything. He’s been a force on the offensive boards, averaging 1.6 putbacks per game, making 64.7 percent of them.

His three point percentage on the season is just 37% after a slow start, but he’s made strides from deep as the season has progressed. Collins has made a team-best 41.5% since January 14th.

It’s a star-making season for the former 19th overall pick, who’s refusing to be cornered as simply a rim-running forward. Collins does live above the rim, yes, but he’s doing so much more defensively and on the boards while nearly perfecting the small things like setting better screens in the P&R and making smarter decisions on when to cut, and when to camp behind the arch.

dark. Next. When Will Clint Capela Make his Atlanta Hawks Debut?

He’s set to be the first Atlanta Hawk to average a 20-10 season since Moses Malone in ’88-’89, earning every penny of the extension he should be offered this off season.

Home/Hawks News