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Atlanta Hawks: The case for John Collins to enter the Slam Dunk Contest

By Brendan Galella

(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks rookie John Collins has been one of the most entertaining dunkers in the 2017-18 season and should secure a place in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest.

Any time the Atlanta Hawks take the floor, an opportunity for John Collins to put on a show emerges.

In 28 appearances, Collins has yet to disappoint, as he manages to successfully attack the rim on a nightly basis.

The 6’10” forward out of Wake Forest has jammed the ball 63 times this season, the eighth-highest total in the league. Collins uses his athleticism on each play, especially on the offensive end.

Only seven of his made shots have come outside of the paint, with his shot chart featuring a massive cluster at the rim.

Dunks account for 45.9 percent of his total field goals made this season, with his alley-oop from Dennis Schroder Friday against Toronto serving as the standout play during an 11-point, eight-rebound, four-block effort.

Once he approaches the paint, points are nearly automatic for Collins. Over the past 15 games, Collins is converting 78.8 percent of his attempts within 10 feet of the basket. The majority of his success stems from his ability to dunk the ball.

Each time he elevates to the rim, Collins is liable to generate a level of excitement few other players in the league offer, which should be more than enough to earn him a spot in the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.

First-year players have frequently participated in the event, with Derrick Jones, Derrick Williams, Blake Griffin and Tyrus Thomas all performing in the Slam Dunk Contest during their rookie campaigns.

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Jones managed to earn a nomination even though he converted just 68 field goals all season, just five more than Collins has totaled in dunks this year.

The 33-inch vertical leap Collins possesses enables him to float in the air and complete dunks players of his size rarely can.

In high school, Collins captured a dunk contest title by passing the ball off a wall, letting it bounce vertically and slamming it home with a windmill.

His acrobatics in the air with the Atlanta Hawks have been equally impressive. Atlanta simply needs to flip the ball towards the basket and Collins will find a way to jam it home.

Even passes aren’t completely necessary, as Collins is a skilled offensive rebounder, and once he gains possession, defenders rarely serve as an obstacle for him, as Miami Heat center Jordan Mickey found out earlier this month.

Star players rarely participate in the event, with Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Washington Wizards point guard John Wall being the only All-Stars to also participate in the Slam Dunk Contest in the same season over the last five years.

While Collins will likely be invited to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge, an entry into the Slam Dunk Contest could significantly elevate his status throughout the league.

Griffin became a household name following his epic performance, capping the night off with a dunk over a Kia car.

A 111-98 loss to the Toronto Raptors Friday night dropped the record of the Atlanta Hawks to 9-26 on the year, the worst in the NBA. With the lack of success, fans have stopped showing up at the recently renovated Philips Arena.

The Atlanta Hawks are averaging 14,118 fans a night and selling out 75.4 percent of the capacity of the arena. Both marks are the lowest in the league.

Atlanta, along with the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic, won’t be featured on national television at any point during the 2017-18 season.

Next: 2018 NBA Mock Draft: End of 2017 edition

For Collins to generate some buzz around the league, he simply needs an opportunity. Any time he elevates towards the rim, his athleticism does the rest. All Collins needs is a chance to showcase his skills in front of a large audience.

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