The Atlanta Hawks need John Collins back to unlock their best defensive lineup
It’s been five games without John Collins and the Atlanta Hawks (29-31) have gone 3-2 after blowing out the Toronto Raptors on Saturday 127-100. They take on the Boston Celtics next on Tuesday. We’ll have to see if Collins can return as he continues to work his way back from a strained right foot.
The Hawks blew out the Orlando Magic and got a convincing win over the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers before the break.
But losses to the Bulls and Boston Celtics showed they need him back as soon as possible.
They have gotten tremendous play from Danilo Gallinari in his absence, particularly over the last three games entering Saturday where the 14-year vet was averaging 20.7 points on 50.0 percent shooting while knocking down 7-of-15 threes and hauling in 5.3 boards.
He had just three points on 1-of-9 shooting versus Toronto but still finished as a plus-14.
John Collins’ progress towards returning to the Atlanta Hawks lineup is a welcoming sight
As well as Gallo had played in this last stretch, the Hawks desperately need Collins back to unlock their most potent lineup on both ends of the floor. The group comprising of Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic – who is also on a tear – alongside Clint Capela, Kevin Huerter, and Trae Young sports a 32.3 net rating; the best of the 20 Hawks lineups to see at least 25 minutes.
What is even more impressive about that is they are the best defensive lineup despite both Bogdanovic and Huerter, two players who have struggled defensively at times this season, in favor of De’Andre Hunter.
Hunter has also seen his effectiveness on defense wane at the worst times this season.
Despite Bogdanovic swapping places in the lineup with Hunter, it’s Collins’ presence next to Clint Capela that makes it work and their defensive rating proves it.
It too leads the group of qualifying Hawks lineups with a 96.3 defensive rating while simultaneously doing the same with a 128.5 offensive rating. The group has played 156 total minutes together this season. Of the four that have seen at least 100 minutes together, it is the only one to have a double-digit positive net rating.
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For added context, the starting lineup has a plus-3.8 net rating in a team-high 224 minutes of floor time. They have the eighth-best offensive rating and 11th best defensive rating among the 25-minute mark qualifiers.
The next five best defensive and offensive lineups have all seen fewer than 75 minutes together.
It speaks to the effectiveness of the group despite seeming a bit counterintuitive on the defensive end.
Their most effective lineup over the last four games has featured the bench with Bogdanovic and Gallinari being joined by Onyeka Okongwu, Lou Williams, and Delon Wright. That group has posted a plus-26.3 rating in 19 minutes over that span.
At last check, he was progressing nicely and shooting on the move after being restricted to stand-still pull-up.
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Collins is not the only piece that makes that lineup work. We have discussed how important Capela’s presence is to Collins. But Collins’ importance can sometimes get minimized. Let the record show, that is a mistake.