Collins has to PROVE more! Sorry but the clock starts now...

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

Congrats!

 

 

[Spud2nique]

GET IT JC! 
 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

That 3 point shooting is coming along nicely 

[JayBirdHawk]

From afar, watching NBA playoff basketball with John Collins

Quote

"Sure, I'm pissed off we're not in the bubble," he admits. "I love basketball. But I had a big part in why our team wasn't in the bubble.

"I'm not going to keep holding that against myself. It doesn't do us any good."

Collins, who is not yet 23, had the Hawks front office salivating over his pairing with Atlanta star Trae Young. The young duo were electric when they got out and ran together, and their steady pick-and-roll diet often resulted in huge slams from the bouncy Collins. Hopes were high their young nucleus would accelerate the Hawks' rebuild. But then, on Nov. 5, Collins tested positive for growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 and was suspended 25 games. Collins said he took a supplement that he did not realize contained the banned substance and apologized profusely to his team.

The Hawks went 4-21 in his absence.

"If there was anything that I stressed out about, it was that," Collins concedes. "I understood what it meant for my team, for my career. I also understand I had to go forward mentally.

"I have a very blessed life. I want to be clear about that. But when you lose 25% of your salary because of [a suspension], then another 25% because of COVID-19, it puts some things in perspective."

"So I'm turning this into the [biggest] blessing in disguise by learning from it, and building from it, and becoming a beautiful butterfly who can take flight," Collins adds.

The NBA is brimming with intriguing young talent such as John Collins, but it was Trae Young who stole most of the Atlanta highlights with his exceptional long-distance range. Meanwhile, Collins quietly averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 boards for the season. A career .571 field goal percentage shooter, Collins shot 58.3% from the floor, 40.1% from the 3-point line and 80% from the free throw line.

"My game is efficiency," Collins says. "Right when everything stopped, I felt like I was just catching my midseason groove. I had never been able to hit my stride like that previously. In my rookie year, Coach [Mike Budenholzer] was in charge, and he had friction with the front office and they ended up splitting. And I didn't play as much as I hoped. My second year, I was injured. And then this year, my third, I had the suspension.

"I wish we could have kept going. But I'm using that feeling to lift heavier weights, take extra shots, run an extra mile. If I can be smart off the court, then I have to believe that will bleed onto the court."

Collins has spent extra time in the weight room during the hiatus. His goal, he says, is to be able to guard 2 through 5, and he is concentrating on adding muscle so he can check the likes of Joel Embiid or Hassan Whiteside, if asked.

"I'm very lean right now," Collins says. "I'm about 227, and the team wants me to eat a little more, get my protein numbers up. The perfect weight for me is probably 230 to 235, so I can bang with those big fellas. I'm not blessed with their bulk, but I do have some athleticism that might create problems for them."

He longs for the days when a trip to the practice facility meant work in the weight room, full-court scrimmaging and then time spent in the locker room shooting the breeze with the fellas. Because of strict league guidelines, most of that isn't possible right now. Still, Collins says, he and Young talk all the time about how they can elevate Atlanta into a playoff contender.

"If we want to take the next step -- me and Trae -- we have to tighten up our defense," Collins says. "We need some sort of chemistry or spark. Something has to change on that end of the floor. We have an excellent young core, but we could probably use a few older vets that can give us that little push mentally.

"We need to be locked in more, be in our stance consistently, be smarter, stronger. And that takes me back to the weight room."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29682987/from-afar-watching-basketball-john-collins?platform=amp&__twitter_impression=true

[nathan2331]

If John says he going to do something to improve, I trust him to make it happen. If he can work on his game to at become versatile like he's talking, we'll be a good team no doubt. I find it dumb though that they can't get clearances for workouts. If players are willing to consent, what is the problem for the NBAPA? I'd rather know our guys can practice than see YouTube clips of them playing in random gyms. At least one environment is controlled to some level.

[terrell]

56 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

From afar, watching NBA playoff basketball with John Collins

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29682987/from-afar-watching-basketball-john-collins?platform=amp&__twitter_impression=true

"But we could probably use a few older vets"

You can say that again........

[JayBirdHawk]

Latest JC interview (long read, good info), covers a range if topics:

 

John Collins on trade rumors, extension talks with the Hawks, recruiting free agents and more

Quote

What have you been doing since they did the NBA restart just for yourself?

JC: I just welcomed a young man into the world. Big man, J, he’s on the couch eating right now, so I’ve been taking care of my daddy duties. Other than that, just trying to bust my ass in the gym and just stay ready because I know at some point we’re going to have some sort of a basketball or some sort of real live action. My goal is to always be in the best shape possible all year round. I love working out every day. I love doing my job, so that’s really the day to day taking care of little man, going in and getting my work in, and trying to occupy myself any way I can with family. Maybe take a quick vacation and go home here and there. There’s not too much to do right now in terms of trying to be safe and doing things. It’s kind of boring. You know what I mean?

We’re both watching the playoffs right now. What’s going through your mind? 

JC: The first thing that goes through my mind whenever I start watching the playoffs is just the jump in terms of the intensity. I feel like I can see it now going into my fourth year, whereas my first three years it kind of just all looked the same. Now, I truly can tell the intricacies and have played against certain guys, a million times now, it just makes the mental side of the game just watching so much harder because I know what all these guys on the court like to do. I haven’t scouted and watched film on it in so long. So that alone, the intensity and the game planning I know are there. For me, it’s definitely a good watch. And then the next thing I know, these games are going to be mostly competitive. Nobody’s really getting blown out. Playoffs are good basketball. Obviously, I’m mad I can’t be there, but I’m not salty or hung up over it. I understand why we’re not there and what needs to be done. At the end of the day, I’m a basketball fan and a fan of basketball period.

On his suspension:

Quote

When I was talking with Lloyd Pierce, he told me he felt after you got your suspension, you had something to prove, and you did that looking at your numbers. What did you take away from the suspension? And, also for you, the first time in your career, your name surfaced in trade talks where teams were hitting up the Hawks and checking in on you. What was that like for you?

JC: The trade talks I’m always aware that could be an option just because of me being an NBA player. I get it. I wasn’t too hung up over that. Whenever I’m in trade talks, that’s a good thing. That means other teams are seeing my value, want me, and so I try to take it as a good thing. Now, in terms of the suspension and stuff, obviously, no one likes to see that, but I felt like I used that entire time to just motivate myself. I didn’t miss a Hawks game. I watched all the guys every time they played. It just really just gave me some time to think about my career, think about the mistakes I’ve made, think about the positive things I’m doing. It just gave me a little bit of a perspective shift and kind of just narrowed in on my goals a little bit more because coming into the league, you’re always wide-eyed, and you don’t really always understand what’s best for you and what’s necessary for you to be great. I definitely felt like, not saying that I wanted to go through that obviously, I feel like everybody doesn’t feel like that, but having to go through it and trying to bring some positive out of it. My body’s the most important thing that I have. I must value it with my life, so I do, and I will continue to do so.

 

On recruiting players to the Hawks:

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Being one of the top guys in Atlanta, you and Trae are the focal point of that team. If you have guys that are going to be free agents this summer, what’s your pitch to come to Atlanta? Are you talking to guys to try and recruit guys, and what do you say to get them to come on board? 

JC: I try my best as I feel like all other NBA players try to recruit other good players or other good friends. I’m definitely always trying to hit up guys. I can’t tell you who I’m talking to or who I’m trying to get down here, I’ve got to let that simmer, but I’m trying to be GM JC over here, just know that. The first I’d say is look at the little magician that we’ve got right now. That’s what he is. Every time he comes down the court, it’s magic. Trae and I have the best pick-and-roll in the NBA outside of LeBron James and AD (Anthony Davis). To me, this dude is an elite passer. When you’re looking at a point guard who can get people the ball, we have one and one that can do it at an elite level. That’s my first pitch.

The second thing ‘Hey, listen, if you think about coming to Atlanta, you and Trae are the guys here, and you guys take all these shots and do all this, I don’t want to come intrude.’ If anybody has anything to say on the lines of that, I’d say, ‘Ice Trae shoots. He’s going to do his thing. I don’t shoot too much. I pride myself on being efficient, taking smart shots.’ I’m not a guy that has to shoot a lot. I feel like I can put my impact on the game without taking a ton of shots. I feel like I’ve proven that consistently now. I feel like once I explain that to whoever I’m recruiting, that gives them more peace of mind that even when they do come here, obviously, I hope that player is a hell of a defender as well, but just speaking from the offensive side of things, I’m hoping I will give him a way better peace of mind. You’re going to come in, and we’re going to work with it. We’re not going to try to force anything too fast or too slow, but we want to recruit guys who are right and fit into what we’re trying to do. The third part would be we got a whole bunch of cap space. If you’re of that caliber, I definitely feel like, with the conversations that I’ve had with the front office, we want to win, and we want to get better. I definitely don’t feel like there would be any shortage of action on that end, so that would be my pitch. You’ve got an elite passer, you’re not going to get in my way, and I’m not going to get in yours, and you can get paid.

You were saying when you pitch guys how you and Trae are as a pick-and-roll tandem at the top of the league in those statistical categories. When you look at the two of you, is there anybody that you guys compare yourselves to as a tandem?

JC: I don’t think Trae and I compare ourselves at all. I think Trae and I are very set on being our own duo. We don’t want to be any duos of anybody, but not trying to be super stoic. I’ve heard Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash a million times as well as John Stockton and Karl Malone. Not saying we’re on those calibers yet, but those are the comparisons for what I’ve seen people talk about that our chemistry and our game look like together. I’ll damn sure take both of those. Those are elite duos.

 

On Hawks needs:

Quote

What do you think the Hawks need?

JC: Right now, I can’t tell you, players, specifically, but I think we need just some veteran leadership. We need more guys with minds like Vince (Carter). Having Vince was a blessing, and losing him is going to hurt us. If we don’t try to cover his ability to have so much knowledge and spread it, that is so valuable. I feel like we need more guys like who have been in the league for a minimum of six or seven years, understand what it takes on a day-to-day basis to come in, work out, lift, get your body right, recover, eat, right. It creates a culture when you see five or six guys doing it consistently every day. Now the whole team is doing it every day. Having older veterans tell Trae put your foot on the left side, so you can get your shoulder more to go around the screen. Small things like that, which can help us out in huge ways. We need some more veteran leadership. We’ve got young guys in the locker room. I’m going to be 23. Trae just turned 21. Cam Reddish just turned 21. Kevin Huerter is 22. Bruno Fernando is 22. We’re all super duper young, and I know we’re all talented, and we have all the potential in the world, but we need some help and some guidance.

 

On his possible Extention:

Quote

You said you don’t like ranking yourself and let the numbers speak for themselves. Before the start of next season, you’re eligible for an extension. How do you feel about the possibility of an extension?

JC: I would love it. I would love to say in Atlanta, I would love to be here, so I feel great about it. We’re in good hopes and good spirits with everything right now. Nothing’s really come up as of yet. Everything is still in the talks, but like I said, I’m definitely still in great spirits, and everything is going well. I’m all in. I’m true to Atlanta. There’s nothing else I’ve got to say. I’m ready to extend

For you as a player and being in that situation, how do you personally go about it? Do you let your agent handle it? Do you talk to him about it? Do you hit up GM Travis Schlenk about it?

JC: When it comes to talking about it, if I’m not saying anything personally, then yeah, I definitely let my agents do the numbers and the contractual talking. For me, it’s more just being around every day getting a feel for talking to Travis or just talking to coach. I feel like I’ve put in the work. At this point right now, if we want to discuss what I’ve done, it’s what I’ve done, and it’s done. I’m not going back out there this year to play or anything. I try not to think about it too much and just understand that whatever is happening is on the other side of the foot right now, and I don’t have too much say as to when or what comes my way. I just have to be ready for when it does. I’m just trying to be patient, and I know this is big-time stuff right here. This is not an easy thing to talk about, or to have happen or to want to have happen on my end, and for the Hawks to want to get something done in the correct way and for the best way for everybody. I’m patient, but I also understand my value what I can bring, so I’m just trying to stay with it and try to stay positive.

 

On goals for next season:

Quote

When you look ahead towards the next season, what do you think is the next step for you guys? Is it as simple as just making the playoffs?

JC: For me, honestly, yeah. I’m just saying this in terms of seeing Cam, seeing how Trae and I have been able to take that first year to second-year jump. If Cam, De’Andre Hunter, and Bruno Fernando are able to take that same jump, then I definitely feel like you’ll see it written all over our team. You’ll see the experience, you’ll see the potential, you’ll see the switchability and just the cohesiveness that we play with. Our games fit together, and we like each other, we have fun with each other. I do feel like it is that simple. Obviously, there’s way more that goes into it. I feel like that’s the biggest thing. If our younger guys can take that next jump and give us that needed help without us having to really go and get too much else, or maybe trying to save cap space, or whatever tactic we can do to provide ourselves more of an ability to win or gain more assets to be successful. Trae and I are definitely going to come out and try to do our jobs and hold up our reputation with what we’ve been able to accomplish so far in this league, so I’m not scared. We are in the East as well, which makes it a little bit easier, considering we’re only like four or five games out of the playoff race this year. Hell yeah.

 

On Trae/Luka

Quote

While talking about other great players, your guy Trae is going to get compared to Luka Doncic because they were traded for each other on draft night. What do you think of those two guys always getting compared to each other? 

JC: I definitely feel like the basketball community definitely hyped it up and gasses it up a little bit more than Trae and Luka thought it was going to be from the start. When you look at the trade scenario and then the draft, you look at those two guys, they’re really damn good and really young. Whenever you get drafted in the same draft class, it’s always how is the dice going to roll? The two best guys in that class are always going to get compared to who’s better? It makes it even worse because they were traded for each other. I’m ice Trae all day. That’s all I’ve got to say.

 

There is a recording in link also for those that prefer to listen.

https://hoopshype.com/2020/09/01/john-collins-on-trade-rumors-extension-talks-with-the-hawks-recruiting-free-agents-and-more/

 

 

 

 

 

[RedDawg#8]

Good Read above.

A couple of things stick out to me:

The guys are motivated and hungry it seems. Missing the bubble and playoff is really challenging them.

JC knows they need vet leadership on this roster.

I love how he painted the picture that for potential FA's, anyone who needs shots, he is not getting in the way of that.

He also slid in a little dig that whoever they add hopefully plays defense too. Funny, but scary that everyone in the building knows they are trash on defense. 

I think there is more respect for Bruno among the young guys as part of the core than we may realize on the outside, something to keep an eye on if he in fact does take a leap next season.

[thecampster]

1 hour ago, RedDawg#8 said:

Good Read above.

A couple of things stick out to me:

The guys are motivated and hungry it seems. Missing the bubble and playoff is really challenging them.

JC knows they need vet leadership on this roster.

I love how he painted the picture that for potential FA's, anyone who needs shots, he is not getting in the way of that.

He also slid in a little dig that whoever they add hopefully plays defense too. Funny, but scary that everyone in the building knows they are trash on defense. 

I think there is more respect for Bruno among the young guys as part of the core than we may realize on the outside, something to keep an eye on if he in fact does take a leap next season.

With the additional of Capela, Bruno should get to play more PF where there should be more feasting, less getting punked.

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

 

 

[Gray Mule]

On 9/2/2020 at 11:38 AM, RedDawg#8 said:

 

I think there is more respect for Bruno among the young guys as part of the core than we may realize on the outside, something to keep an eye on if he in fact does take a leap next season.

Hawks may have quietly obtained a real jewel in a second round pick.  They did trade up to take him and we all know about Travis and his scouting crew and how their work shines.

If he's that good, it's another strength for our 2nd string which was awful last season !!

[Jdawgflow]

John is so thoughtful in his responses.  I could see him becoming a GM one day.

[terrell]

3 hours ago, Gray Mule said:

Hawks may have quietly obtained a real jewel in a second round pick.  They did trade up to take him and we all know about Travis and his scouting crew and how their work shines.

If he's that good, it's another strength for our 2nd string which was awful last season !!

Yep. People forget, Bruno was a lottery pick on most boards before the draft..

[AHF]

1 hour ago, terrell said:

Yep. People forget, Bruno was a lottery pick on most boards before the draft..

I don't think this is accurate.  I think it was a rare draft board that had him in the late lottery and vast majority had him in the 20-40 range.

Quote

His projection as a late first round or early second round pick likely results from the impression that his ceiling is that of a role player. 

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2019/5/30/18640565/bruno-fernando-atlanta-hawks-2019-nba-draft-scouting-report-maryland

 

Quote

Bruno Fernando is projected to go in between the mid-first or early second round of the 2019 NBA Draft. 

https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2019/06/05/bruno-fernando-nba-draft-player-profile/

[terrell]

29 minutes ago, AHF said:

I don't think this is accurate.  I think it was a rare draft board that had him in the late lottery and vast majority had him in the 20-40 range.

https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2019/5/30/18640565/bruno-fernando-atlanta-hawks-2019-nba-draft-scouting-report-maryland

 

https://lastwordonsports.com/basketball/2019/06/05/bruno-fernando-nba-draft-player-profile/

#10 on their BIg board

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/bruno-fernando/

[terrell]

1 minute ago, terrell said:

#10 on their BIg board

https://www.nbadraft.net/players/bruno-fernando/

Maybe I should've said some and not "most". lol