Atlanta Hawk: John Collins Will Continue to Improve in Year Three

The Atlanta Hawks have a special duo in Trae Young and John Collins. While Trae Young will get most of the focus (and rightly so) Collins has made drastic improvements and will continue to improve in year three.

The player John Collins was for the Atlanta Hawks last season only resembled the player he was in year two. In his second season Collins average 19.5-points per game and 9.8-rebounds per game.

It was a huge jump a season after averaging 10.5-points per game. He was more explosive around the rim and is developing an outside shot.  An outside shot that will give him a chance to be used as a stretch big during Atlanta’s upcoming season.

Year three will be defined by how much better Collins is from outside. We know he is a hustle rebounder and a great player around the rim. But if he cannot develop a jump shot it is going to close down the paint for him at times in year three.

Trae Young will be able to create even more magic if Collins can be consistent from outside. Even if he isn’t able to improve Collins has a chance to be a 20-and-10 player every time he steps onto the court for the Hawks.

Along with Trae Young, he will give Atlanta a chance to be a surprise team in 2019 and give them a shot at returning to the playoffs.

What will be most interesting to watch is whether Atlanta opts to play Collins at the five or keep him at four. He has had his most success playing at power forward and lacks the size to guard many centers.

But on the other hand, he would offer Atlanta a small ball lineup that could push the pace against any other starting five in the League. Regardless Collins is set to take another step forward this season and continue to establish himself as one of the best bigs in the Eastern Conference.