Atlanta Hawks: 2018-19 player grades for John Collins

Positives

To the question of whether John Collins’ stats translated to the team’s on-court success, the proof lies in the numbers, especially on offense.

Per Basketball-Reference, the Atlanta Hawks’ offensive rating went from 104.3 to 113.4 with Collins on the floor, so that sorts out the “empty calorie” discussion.

As you would expect from a big man with Collins’ athleticism and skillset, the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon did his best work around the basket.

Not only was his 63.9 field goal percentage from inside 10 feet good for 12th among players who appeared in at least 50 games and took at least five shots per game from that range, his 1.25 points per possession as the roll man on ball screens placed him in the 79th percentile among qualified players.

Those numbers kept an otherwise inept pick-and-roll and inside scoring team somewhat above water.

Now, if you’re thinking “Hey, isn’t that basically what Collins did last year?”, you’re right. Where 2018-19 differed, however, was with his long-range shooting, at least in terms of volume.

Even though his 34.8 3-point field goal percentage still sat below the 35.5 percent league average, it was still respectable enough to keep make defenses pay for sagging off of him in anticipation for a flashy dunk or a layup, which will benefit him and the rest of the team in the long run.

His numbers from downtown mirrored what he did last year, but going from 0.6 attempts as a rookie to 2.6 in 2018-19 not only exemplified the Hawks’ goal to become Warriors-East, it put a spotlight on Collins’ newfound confidence in his stroke.

Collins’ seemingly limitless energy wasn’t limited to his offense. Despite a relatively modest 6-foot-11 wingspan, the young forward thrived as a rim protector.

Opponents shot only 44 percent from the field against Collins last year, a number that was buoyed by a stifling 55.5 opponents field goal percentage from inside six feet and a 52.6 percent clip from inside 10.

His 10.5 shot contests per game (26th in the league) suggest that those totals weren’t the result of players missing shots in his vicinity; his defensive effort caused plenty of those misses.

Combine all of that with his effort of the offensive and defensive glass, and there’s a lot to like about this young player.