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John Collins’ 20-10 Season Is Hawks’ First Since Moses Malone

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 06: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks looks for the rebound during the first half of an NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at State Farm Arena on January 6, 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 - JANUARY 06: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks looks for the rebound during the first half of an NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at State Farm Arena on January 6, 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) /
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Recapping John Collins’ 20-10 season for the Atlanta Hawks.

The Atlanta Hawks’ playoff chances in 2019-2020 were hit by a sledgehammer when John Collins was suspended by the league for 25-games just a few days into the season. While Trae Young was already playing like the All-Star he would soon become, he couldn’t win games all by himself, and the team went a disastrous 4-21 during the suspension.

Upon returning, Collins had a bit of a slow start but quickly refound his footing. The third-year forward started to contribute high-quality minutes on a nightly basis around the change from 2019 to 2020.

While he was a threat to go for 30 points on any given night, he was more consistently hovering around the 20 point mark. He was also making strides as a rebounder, frequently pulling down ten or more per game.

Around the middle of February, I started to more closely follow John Collins’ quest to record a 20-10 season. Averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds per game throughout a full season used to be a benchmark statistic for a quality big, although, in the age of floor-spacing, they’re growing rarer by the year.

Collins very nearly reached this mark last season, recording 19.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore. This year, he improved just enough to record a 20-10 campaign, becoming the first Atlanta Hawk to do so since Moses Malone in 1988-1989.

Only four other NBA players joined Collins in the 20-10 club, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns, Nikola Jokic, and Joel Embiid. That’s pretty elite company for the 22-year-old Collins, who will be eligible for a contract extension this summer.

There is a chance this is the last time we see the high-flying forward record this feat, as part of the reason that Collins was able was grab so many boards was because the Hawks lacked a true center.

Now, with Clint Capela on the team, there may be fewer opportunities on the glass for John. He’ll certainly have to fight a bit more, although the points should still be there.

John Collins’ 2019-2020 season was truly historic for the Atlanta Hawks and showed his worth to the team moving forward. He’s a great side-kick to the perimeter-minded Young and a true building block of the team moving forward.

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