The Atlanta Hawks returned to practice without John Collins

If the Atlanta Hawks (28-30) are going to finish off the turnaround they started before the All-Star break, they are going to need all hands on deck. Coming out of their first practice after the extended layoff there appears to be at least the shadow of a doubt they will be afforded that luxury. With an extremely trying slate of games right out of the gate, the timing couldn’t be worse.

Fifth-year forward John Collins did not participate in the session. He was instead relegated to spot-up shooting.

Collins has been out since getting hurt against the San Antonio Spurs and it was announced that he would be out at least through the All-Star break. That qualifier didn’t seem like much at the time but, after so much time off, this is cause for at least some concern.

It would be a major blow to the Atlanta Hawks if John Collins is out for an extended period

We talked about how well the Hawks played before the break, going 2-1 and taking down the fourth-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. In that, we also mentioned how falling to the Boston Celtics wasn’t the worst thing given how hot they have been since the trade deadline. But we’ve also told you about the next four games.

Yes, the Hawks have been 2-1 in this stretch without Collins. But they are 4-4 without him this season and they are 24-48 without him all time.

They went 3-5 without him in his rookie season.

Collins recently told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Sarah K. Spencer that he is “making progress every day” and is “feeling better” striving to return at 100 percent.

A lot has been made of the Hawks needing a second star, especially after seeing all of the talent on display over All-Star weekend. And Collins has put up modest stats for a “number two” option on a contender with 16.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.

He’s one of 28 players to put up those numbers this season but is one of just 11 players whose primary position is ‘forward’ to do so, and one of two players to do it while shooting at least 53.0 percent from the floor and 38.0 percent from deep. The other is Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas.

This is a “down” year statistically for Collins too who has a 20-point, 10-board campaign on his highlight-filled resume, to the point that he voiced his displeasure with his role on offense.

His name was constantly in trade rumors before the deadline too.

But as the Hawks have set themselves to ride this year out with this group, Collins is as critical of a component as there is to its long-term success. He is the unquestioned emotional leader of this group and, arguably, their most versatile player as well.