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Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:11 pm**

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins has reportedly become "increasingly frustrated" with his role on the team.
Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Collins has been vocal in the locker room regarding what he perceives as a lack of team basketball.

"I've banged my head on the wall a couple of times trying to figure it out myself. There's really no excuse," Collins said of the Hawks' defensive struggles after Atlanta lost to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. "All I can say is it's unacceptable and we have to dig down and do the things necessary to win or this is going to be the result every night."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10023377-hawks-john-collins-reportedly-has-grown-increasingly-frustrated-with-role-in-atl

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Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:21 pm**

My thoughts:

1. He has every right to be frustrated with his role. He's greatly underutilized and has been for years.

2. As the longest tenured and most respected Hawks player, his words carry more weight than most.

3. I suspect this headline is blowing things out of proportion.

4. If things don't improve soon, the situation and the locker room could really blow up.

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:27 pm**

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Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 8:42 pm**

Jamaaliver wrote:My thoughts:

1. He has every right to be frustrated with his role. He's greatly underutilized and has been for years.

2. As the longest tenured and most respected Hawks player, his words carry more weight than most.

3. I suspect this headline is blowing things out of proportion.

4. If things don't improve soon, the situation and the locker room could really blow up.

I agree with you entirely.
#4 concerns me greatly. On the other hand, I believe we do need to clean house, but John's not one that needs to be moved.

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Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:45 pm**

Jamaaliver wrote:My thoughts:

1. He has every right to be frustrated with his role. He's greatly underutilized and has been for years.

2. As the longest tenured and most respected Hawks player, his words carry more weight than most.

3. I suspect this headline is blowing things out of proportion.

4. If things don't improve soon, the situation and the locker room could really blow up.

1. Underutilized? Could you expand on that? Do you want him to be the guy that ends up putting the ball in the hole utilizes or spreading it around Draymond style utilized?

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:47 pm**

Jamaaliver wrote:My thoughts:

1. He has every right to be frustrated with his role. He's greatly underutilized and has been for years.

2. As the longest tenured and most respected Hawks player, his words carry more weight than most.

3. I suspect this headline is blowing things out of proportion.

4. If things don't improve soon, the situation and the locker room could really blow up.

It might be that time Jam. Do we get a lil British in A town and get our own version of the Big Ben? :thinking:

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:48 pm**

I keep trying to love Ben and keep circling around to him not being a capable shooter, can we scheme against that when we have Trae? Probably cuz Trae shoots 30 footers on the regular. The NBA floor is only so big. Lol.

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 9:50 pm**

Why is John Collins frustrated with his role?

He's a throwback 00s PF that has to be spoon-fed on offense. He lacks creation ability. He isn't a defensive anchor either.

In a honesty, he should've been traded if there was a suitable trade out there for a star to pair Trae with.

I would've traded him and Capela to Minnesota for KAT and Jared Vanderbilt if KAT wanted out.

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 10:25 pm**

Spud2nique wrote:1. Underutilized? Could you expand on that?

Do you want him to be the guy that ends up putting the ball in the hole utilizes or spreading it around Draymond style utilized?

I just meant that Pierce and McMillan have publicly stated multiple times that they don't call plays for him. When the offense bogs down and we can't buy a bucket, we should be utilizing the PnR with Collins as the roll man a lot more than we do. Now that he can hit threes and playmake out of the PnR, there is a lot more variety to this play than in past years.

This is why I was pushing for D'Antoni to replace L Pierce. I wanted a coach with some offensive imagination...

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:42 pm**

Collins, 24, is eligible to be traded on Jan. 15.

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:46 pm**

Jamaaliver wrote:My thoughts:

1. He has every right to be frustrated with his role. He's greatly underutilized and has been for years.

I'm not sure what more he is expecting offensively. He can't create for himself or others really. You're asking for trouble by incorporating him even more than what he already is given.

Jamaaliver wrote:
2. As the longest tenured and most respected Hawks player, his words carry more weight than most.

Sure, but in the NBA, you rely on your stars no matter what, and Collins isn't a star level talent. So he may want more and feel entitled to more due to his tenure and respect, but no coach or org in their right mind is going to give him more just to appease him. If there's something justifiable that makes sense as to why he needs more touches, then yeah, go right ahead and demand it, but Collins is getting plenty as it is.

Jamaaliver wrote:3. I suspect this headline is blowing things out of proportion.

I suspect it is as well because he seemed more frustrated with the team itself, and lack of energy & heart more so him getting touches on offense. Some of that frustration may be with himself since he's not really killing it defensively either.

Posted: **Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:52 pm**

threethehardway wrote:Why is John Collins frustrated with his role?

I would say he has all the rights to complain a bit, at this moment, because between all the players in the rotation, he's the most important one, again at this moment.
Watching the games, I did see him making less dumb or complicated plays than the others, who have all, Trae including, pick shots out of rhythm, tried to pass when theu should not,... and the numbers confirm that : ATL has a better On/Off court with Huerter, then with Collins, than any other players of this team.
They play their best bball this season when Huerter or Collins is on the court, that's all, even if it's not the best they have played.

Now, I wanted to check one thing : his FGA, because it's very inconstant, and I found something interesting :
- he took more than 15 FG in 6 games, all lost, so it may not be a good idea to have him being the first offensive option, even if it's only 6 games
- he took between 11 and 15 FG in 16 games : ATL were 11W - 5L
- he took 10 FG or less in 12 games : ATL were 4W - 8L

It's not saying the whole story, but it would be enough for me to immediately start to coach this team with him taking 12-13 FG per game

I also found this, even more interesting :
- Collins not taking any 3pts shot : 3 games, all lost
- Collins taking 1 to 3 3pts shots : 17 games, 13W - 4L
- Collins taking 4 or more 3pts shots : 14 games, 2W - 12L

Posted: **Tue Jan 11, 2022 12:03 am**

Geaux_Hawks wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:My thoughts:

1. He has every right to be frustrated with his role. He's greatly underutilized and has been for years.

I'm not sure what more he is expecting offensively. He can't create for himself or others really. You're asking for trouble by incorporating him even more than what he already is given.

I would greatly push back on this notion. Collins has evolved into a pretty well rounded and efficient offensive player. Even from the beginning of the season he was an improved player but his role had not increased accordingly. It's time to take the training wheels off.

Spoiler:

D21 wrote:I also found this, even more interesting :
- Collins not taking any 3pts shot : 3 games, all lost
- Collins taking 1 to 3 3pts shots : 17 games, 13W - 4L
- Collins taking 4 or more 3pts shots : 14 games, 2W - 12L

Now that is interesting. I've long wondered if Capela's presence in the paint forces JC to camp out on the 3-pt line too much Turning one of the more consistent finisher's in the league into a somewhat generic stretch-4 man.

Posted: **Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:25 am**

Jamaaliver wrote:
Geaux_Hawks wrote:
Jamaaliver wrote:My thoughts:

1. He has every right to be frustrated with his role. He's greatly underutilized and has been for years.

I'm not sure what more he is expecting offensively. He can't create for himself or others really. You're asking for trouble by incorporating him even more than what he already is given.

The last part makes sense. OO wouldn’t camp like Capela. Let’s trade Capela, Gallo and picks instead of Jollins. I mean Collins.

I would greatly push back on this notion. Collins has evolved into a pretty well rounded and efficient offensive player. Even from the beginning of the season he was an improved player but his role had not increased accordingly. It's time to take the training wheels off.
Spoiler:

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D21 wrote:I also found this, even more interesting :
- Collins not taking any 3pts shot : 3 games, all lost
- Collins taking 1 to 3 3pts shots : 17 games, 13W - 4L
- Collins taking 4 or more 3pts shots : 14 games, 2W - 12L

Now that is interesting. I've long wondered if Capela's presence in the paint forces JC to camp out on the 3-pt line too much Turning one of the more consistent finisher's in the league into a somewhat generic stretch-4 man.

Posted: **Tue Jan 11, 2022 5:25 am**

The last part makes sense. OO wouldn’t camp like Capela. Let’s trade Capela, Gallo and picks instead of Jollins. I mean Collins. :roll:

Posted: **Tue Jan 11, 2022 2:07 pm**

I also found this, even if 82games have not been updated since beginning of December :

The problem is that Collins at C works against a lot of teams, but a series with him as C Vs guys like Embiid...

Posted: **Wed Jan 12, 2022 2:52 pm**

Q&A with JC and Kirschner:

Here is our conversation.

So, obviously, Shams reported there’s growing frustration from you, and he linked you to possibly being included in a deal for Ben Simmons. What would you like to say about the report and your frustration?

When you read the article and go back and look at it — sometimes, the headline of the article is a lot more intriguing than what’s actually written — what I didn’t like is he took a quote from my postgame press conference and sort of created a dialogue from it talking about my usage is down. In terms of voicing it and saying something, of course, I am frustrated. We’re not doing well. You could say he’s right, but I haven’t outwardly spoken to anyone or voiced my frustration directly to my teammates. That, I feel like, gets lost a bit in the dialogue but, of course, I’m as frustrated as anyone is on this team as we’re losing and not doing as well as we should.

I understand where you’re coming from. The quote used was when I asked you about the recurring theme of you guys not having defensive intensity in numerous games, such as the Lakers game, which is when you said what you said.

One of the things I do know that has frustrated you is your offensive role on this team, and this has bothered you for a while now even going back to when Lloyd (Pierce) was coaching. Both Lloyd and Nate (McMillan) have said they don’t call plays for you. How do you feel about where that issue stands right now?

I don’t love that. I understand my value and my role to the team. I feel like I’ve embraced it and not complained. I’ve trudged on and done what I feel like is needed to be a professional on this team, but, again, it’s the coach’s decision and the organization’s decision. I don’t love it, but I’m trying to do my best to try to play through it. I just want to be utilized to the best of my ability to maximize production. I understand that we have a lot of guys on this team who can score. I understand that there has to be some sacrifice for us to reach our goals. I’m trying to be the best pro I can.

What I don’t necessarily understand is that the team’s offense is great. It’s not an issue as to why you all are 17-22. You guys have one of the best offenses in the league. Can you further explain what you’re looking for when you’re discussing what you are bothered by?

My usage is lower than my rookie year. (Note: There was a time during the season when this was accurate; however, it’s the second lowest of his career.) There are things that I can’t control and I’m not trying to say anything about. I’m not complaining about this, but there are small things that are different now for myself. I’m just trying to figure out how to make my point and my emphasis felt on the court. I just don’t like to be out there running around sometimes. Sometimes, you just want to understand where you can make an impact instead of having to create it for myself. I feel like that’s where I’m at a lot of times. I’m just having to create out of nothing, and it’s hard as hell. That’s where it comes from. It’s wanting to have a safety blanket to throw over my back when I might be in trouble sometimes.

If I’m understanding correctly, you’re wanting a more-defined offensive role for yourself?

Yes, exactly. I’m not sitting here complaining and saying I need more touches of the ball, or I need to score more points or need more shots. I’ve never complained about that. All I’ve said, specifically, if there’s a way that I feel like is beneficial for everybody — and not just myself — is for us to be used in the correct way. That’s the angle I’m taking. If I’m saying it, it’s for us. I just want to be put in the best position to succeed, and that’s it. I feel like I’ve sacrificed and have continued to sacrifice as much as I can for the team. I just want to make sure that’s clear.

https://theathletic.com/3065272/2022/01/12/john-collins-on-trade-rumors-frustration-and-how-he-feels-about-the-hawks-this-is-where-i-want-to-be/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

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John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL

Re: John Collins Reportedly 'Has Grown Increasingly Frustrated' with Role in ATL