Atlanta Hawks: The best way to keep John Collins is to win
The Atlanta Hawks are having a cinderella story so far with their playoff run. They took the advantage in their first-round series by winning on the New York Knicks home floor in the first game. They only lost the second game but then won both their home games. They then closed out the series on the Knicks home floor again.
The Hawks then faced the daunting task of taking on the Philadephia 76ers in the second round. Again, the Hawks took the challenge on without any hesitation. They went on a 17-0 run in the second period which gave them a lead they would never surrender.
Throughout the series, John Collins has been incredibly important. This importance was highlighted in the second game of the Knicks series when he was in foul trouble and only player 15 minutes. It was the only postseason game that the Hawks have lost.
Could the Atlanta Hawks keep John Collins?
More from Soaring Down South
- Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
- Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
- When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
- Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
- Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
The Hawks have a really good chance of keeping Collins if they can keep winning. Why would a key player on a playoff team leave when they are about to develop into a perennial playoff contender, given how young the team is, and how talented.
Just looking at Collins’ impact in this playoff run. he has shown why there is the potential for him to get some big money in free agency. He has averaged 13.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game. However, if you take the second game of the Knicks series out, Collins has been even better.
Collins is averaging 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 35.7 minutes per game. However, where Collins is showing true value is in his ability to hit his shots. In the playoffs, he is shooting 58.0 percent from the floor, 45.0 percent from deep, and 93.0 percent from the floor.
Next. The Trae Young narrative will keep changing through winning. dark
While this is going to have suitors flocking to his agents’ door, Collins is having fun and is a big part of the Hawks’ success. Under Lloyd Pierce, Collins was not happy with the offense. However, his role has improved under Nate McMillan and as a result, the Hawks are now in the box seat to re-sign him.