John Collins Used Summer League To Prove He Should Have Been Picked Higher

[RealGM Wiretap]

John Collins fell to the Atlanta Hawks at No. 19 in the 2017 NBA Draft and he had an excellent Summer League.

Collins ranks second in Summer League in PER at 32.5.

“I wanted to prove that I should have went higher,” Collins said. “Not to say that I’m not happy with the spot I’ve fallen. I’ve fallen to great spot, a great organization, the fans love me. I have a great opportunity here, which I’m blessed for. But I want to show everybody, I feel like I should have gone number one. Maybe that isn’t realistic. But I want to prove to everybody that I should have went higher. I’ve been overlooked most of my career. So I’m kind of happy, because it gives me that same energy, that same fear and drive.”

Collins was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2017 as well as the conference's Most Improved Player.

Via David Aldridge/NBA.com

[Elnegron]

Great organization really

[NatiboyB]

Yes we all know you should of went higher...But you are in a good place that will give you more playing time. What's worse is if you came out a year earlier you would of went higher if you had the same level of production you were punished for being a sophomore.

But you didn't end up as unlucky as Rabb who was a top 10 pick last draft and fell to the 2nd rd this one.

[the_process]

I still think Collins has a long way to go to prove his game can fit in the modern NBA. That 3 ball he showed in summer league is brand new to his game. He has to be able to shoot that at league average or above on a decent number of attempts while keeping up his rebounding to have his game translate.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet against Collins making it in the NBA.

[Soulyss]

Meyers Leonard looked like a beast in his first summer league as well... I really like Collins, and am high on him... but let's see how he handles a regular dose of Lebron, etc... before we anoint him the next wonderkin.

It's summer league kids

[LeMasta]

I still think Collins has a long way to go to prove his game can fit in the modern NBA. That 3 ball he showed in summer league is brand new to his game. He has to be able to shoot that at league average or above on a decent number of attempts while keeping up his rebounding to have his game translate.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet against Collins making it in the NBA.

You're more than likely going to be wrong especially with how thin the Hawks are in the 4/5 spot.

[HotelVitale]

What's worse is if you came out a year earlier you would of went higher if you had the same level of production you were punished for being a sophomore..

Well that has nothing to do with reality. Collins was a nothing player after his freshman year and definitely wouldn't have been drafted if he came out last year. He was a 1st rounder this year because he had an awesome season--but he came out of nowhere and doesn't have a great physical profile or anything else that usually makes for top HS recruits.

[macNcheese3]

Thats what SL is for.

[Cookin Baskets]

Easier then dealing with high expectations. This might be a blessing in disguise for him. He can his play without as much pressure.

[NatiboyB]

What's worse is if you came out a year earlier you would of went higher if you had the same level of production you were punished for being a sophomore..

Well that has nothing to do with reality. Collins was a nothing player after his freshman year and definitely wouldn't have been drafted if he came out last year. He was a 1st rounder this year because he had an awesome season--but he came out of nowhere and doesn't have a great physical profile or anything else that usually makes for top HS recruits.

however that is why I said if he put up as a freshman what he did as a Sophomore he would of been picked higher.

[FMX]

He is doing the small things the let you know that he will be a solid player. i think that anyone can come to summer league and jack up shots. He has a high BBIQ.

[IAMZOOTED]

What's worse is if you came out a year earlier you would of went higher if you had the same level of production you were punished for being a sophomore..

Well that has nothing to do with reality. Collins was a nothing player after his freshman year and definitely wouldn't have been drafted if he came out last year. He was a 1st rounder this year because he had an awesome season--but he came out of nowhere and doesn't have a great physical profile or anything else that usually makes for top HS recruits.

however that is why I said if he put up as a freshman what he did as a Sophomore he would of been picked higher.

He would have, but it also helps that the 2016 draft wasnt considered a very good draft class.

[HotelVitale]

What's worse is if you came out a year earlier you would of went higher if you had the same level of production you were punished for being a sophomore..

Well that has nothing to do with reality. Collins was a nothing player after his freshman year and definitely wouldn't have been drafted if he came out last year. He was a 1st rounder this year because he had an awesome season--but he came out of nowhere and doesn't have a great physical profile or anything else that usually makes for top HS recruits.

however that is why I said if he put up as a freshman what he did as a Sophomore he would of been picked higher.

I don't think he was punished that much for being a sophomore, I think teams were skeptical of him because he wasn't a special athlete, wasn't a good defender, has a small wingspan, and didn't have a great NBA-style game. I think he's a great pick in the late teens but he's going to have to adapt his game quite a bit or be incredible at what he does well to become a starting-caliber dude.

[the_process]

I still think Collins has a long way to go to prove his game can fit in the modern NBA. That 3 ball he showed in summer league is brand new to his game. He has to be able to shoot that at league average or above on a decent number of attempts while keeping up his rebounding to have his game translate.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet against Collins making it in the NBA.

You're more than likely going to be wrong especially with how thin the Hawks are in the 4/5 spot.

Him starting the next couple years on a rebuilding Hawks squad is not the final word on whether Collins is a rotation piece in an NBA lineup.

[LeMasta]

I still think Collins has a long way to go to prove his game can fit in the modern NBA. That 3 ball he showed in summer league is brand new to his game. He has to be able to shoot that at league average or above on a decent number of attempts while keeping up his rebounding to have his game translate.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet against Collins making it in the NBA.

You're more than likely going to be wrong especially with how thin the Hawks are in the 4/5 spot.

Him starting the next couple years on a rebuilding Hawks squad is not the final word on whether Collins is a rotation piece in an NBA lineup.

Uhm. Surely he can. He plays for a team that can consistently develop their players and expand their game. An undersized Millsap was the same way and started shooting 3s frequently several years into his career, became a outstanding passer... and generally being able to do anything on the court. It's nothing new with the Hawks. They love getting their players to develop some range from 3. And he'll get those minutes to learn and develop this season. He won't have Millsap to guide him but he'll get lots of opportunities to grow.

All I can say is that he has a good chance of being a rotation player (and that's saying the absolute least), much more likely than not and I think you're completely wrong to bet against him so confidently.