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Mike Cunningham wrote:Is center really the best fit for Hawks rookie John Collins?

As it stands now Collins will play “small ball” center for the Hawks. If he can develop his jump shot he can be a center in the mold of Al Horford, who has been one of the best mid-range shooting big men in the league over his career. As Collins gets stronger, he will be better able to handle bigger opponents as a defender and rebounder.


“I love his pressure on the rim as a big guy, rolling,” Budenholzer said. “I think his rebounding, his athleticism as a five (are assets). The way the game is played, his speed, I think, can really be something that can be really good for him and really good for us.”


The Hawks hope that John Collins eventually will develop his perimeter game but coach Mike Budenholzer already has the rookie playing as a (relatively) undersized center.

“A lot of our offense, really, they are the same,” Budenholzer said. “Our bigs are kind of interchangeable in what they do in their reads and reactions. For us, it’s not a huge deal. I think he puts a lot of pressure on the rim as a rolling big and the things he does that way. And defensively he can guard either spot. We’ll kind of mix-and-match depending on what’s best for him and whoever he’s playing with.

Mike Cunningham wrote:Already, Collins is a dangerous pick-and-roll man, a good help defender and a productive rebounder.

There are good reasons why Budenholzer wants to get Collins in a lot of one-five, pick-and-roll actions. He’s a “springy” leaper who gets to the rim quickly and has soft hands and nice touch. At Wake Forest, Collins was a fantastic roll man: his 1.609 points per possession ranked in the 99th percentile, according to Synergy Sports Technology.

However, Collins could overwhelm collegiate opponents with his athleticism and size. Finishing as the roll man is something different in the NBA, where everyone is big and athletic.

In the NBA, Collins has scored 0.89 PPP as the roll man on 26 possessions to rank in the 29th percentile among qualifying players, according to Synergy.

Defensively there have been moments where bigger opponents overpower Collins around the rim. But aside from the game against Dwight Howard, who can overpower most anybody, it hasn’t been a huge issue. Collins still gets his share of rebounds because of his quick-leaping ability but there, too, bigger opponents sometimes muscle him away from the basket.

Bud is matching skillsets, something he's not alone in given that 99.99999% of the NBA is matching their frontcourts with at least one shooting big next to one paint big whether they be at PF or C. Even Rudy Gobert spends a third of his minutes with either Thabo or Joe at PF whilst the rest of the time Favors is attempting more and more 3s. Either Dedmon increases his volume of 3s or either the Uzbeki or Musky bulk up, till then Collins will play at Center because that's where his skillset is best suited and more importantly, where he is most comfortable within the context of the rest of roster. It's either that or you hope he transforms his game to current Blake Griffin or post knee injury Amar'e over night.

jayu70 wrote:Don't care where he plays for now - just want him playing more minutes and with the starters/best players on the team.

An updated look at Collins’ development

In his last 13 games, Collins has spent more time on the floor against opposing first units, is now on the floor with Dewayne Dedmon at times, and his trips to the free throw line have been cut in half. Playing with Dedmon gives him the opportunity to build a more diverse skill-set on offense.

Early in the season, Collins exclusively played the center position. Recently, we have seen Coach Mike Budenholzer use Collins and Dedmon on the floor together, especially now that Collins has started the past three games.

Though Collins generally takes the center match-up on the defensive end, Dedmon and Collins become more interchangeable on the offensive end. This development gets Collins into more roles/actions on the offensive end in addition to screen-setting such as dribble-hand-off actions, working as a spacer or working in the weak-side dunker role.

Mike Cunningham wrote:Collins faced the prospect of tangling with Pistons center Andre Drummond, who pushed him around during the first meeting in Detroit. Collins pregame: “Big body. Strong. Likes to bang around. It will be a real good test to see how my shoulder is doing. . . . It’s got to be a point of emphasis to keep him off the glass and limit his ability to control the game.” Drummond not only dominated the glass again (19 rebounds) but also recorded a career-high nine assists, including four in the decisive second quarter. (Collins wasn’t matched up with him much, though).

Collins postgame: “The system he’s in and the way he’s playing, it’s been pretty incredible. . . . He’s been on a tear. He’s playing really well right now. Can’t say much more than that.”

macd-gm wrote:I think long term he has to be a PF and small ball center. Horford had the strength to defend centers but also lacked the quickness and offensive explosiveness to be a PF. Collins has those things. Just needs to develop his jumper.

Spud2nique wrote:Also think it's based on the draft...we get Ayton and Collins has to be the 4...we get Doncic, possibly the 5. Moving pieces into places the fit the puzzle.

Jamaaliver wrote:

Spud2nique wrote:Also think it's based on the draft...we get Ayton and Collins has to be the 4...we get Doncic, possibly the 5. Moving pieces into places the fit the puzzle.

And if we get Bagley?

Spud2nique wrote:

Jamaaliver wrote:

Spud2nique wrote:Also think it's based on the draft...we get Ayton and Collins has to be the 4...we get Doncic, possibly the 5. Moving pieces into places the fit the puzzle.

And if we get Bagley?

Twin powers (forwards)?

I dunno, personally I would love a frontcourt of Prince/Bagley/Collins...specially with small ball in play.

Michael Cunningham wrote:Miles Plumlee started at center in place of Dwayne Dedmon, as he has every game except one (at Cleveland).

Budenholzer said Plumlee would be the default starter until Dedmon returns, certain matchups notwithstanding. Plumlee played 23 productive and efficient minutes against the Heat: six points on five shots, four rebounds, two assists, one block, two turnovers. Two of Plumlee’ three field goals came on lob dunks.