Atlanta Hawks: 5 goals for John Collins' rookie season

Atlanta Hawks: 5 goals for John Collins’ rookie season

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 26: General Manager Travis Schlenk of the Atlanta Hawks introduces new draft pick John Collins during a Press Conference on June 26, 2017 at Fox Studios 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2 of 6

BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: John Collins talks to the media after being the 19th overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Show signs of defensive improvement

The biggest question surrounding John Collins on draft night was his ability to defend opposing NBA players.

The 6’9″ forward averaged 1.6 blocks per game in college — a number that appears to be impressive, but is greatly misleading. Opposing players faced little resistance when attacking the rim against Collins, as he routinely surrendered lofty point totals.

The same struggles have appeared during NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas.

While Collins scored 25 points in a victory against the Pelicans, he also struggled to keep Cheick Diallo — the 33rd overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft who played less than 200 minutes last season — from piling up the points.

Diallo scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked three shots in the same contest.

If Collins is going to spend a significant amount of time at the power forward position for the Hawks next season, he can’t afford to negate his scoring productivity by allowing easy baskets on the defensive end of the floor.

Home/Atlanta Hawks