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Wanted to do a thread about one area of John Collins' game where I would like to see improvement, more specifically related to how it could affect ATL's crunch time offense when they're closing with him at the 5 and playing 5 out offense - and that's making runners on the move.
JC has made a mark as one of the NBA's elite play finishers, able to finish at the rim or knock down open shots from deep with proficiency. He's the prototypical dual threat PNR big. But in high leverage minutes, the in-between game has higher value and some creation here is key.
When JC is in more of a stationary position, like the high post, he can knock down face-up jumpers and even thread the occasional cutter with a bounce pass. In the low post, he can hit turnaround J's. But on the move, problems arise in his game that matter more in crunch time.
In three full seasons, JC has never been better than 51%-ile among bigs in accuracy from short mid range on low volume overall. Synergy tracks him as 17/51 on runners for his career. The main area I would like to see him improve is on runners from mostly close-out situations.
First, the good: when he receives the ball in a situation where can more or less easily rise straight up and finish without taking a dribble, he's good. He has touch on this shot out to 15 ft. Makes him more lethal on cuts and rolls and shows his skills as a scorer.
Now, here's the trouble: when asked to do more in the form of actual creation, like driving from the perimeter, his limitations as a scorer are more apparent. He's very limited as a dribbler and can have balance issues on drives. If you can deny him from the rim, he stalls.
On a related issue that I won't go into here, he isn't
yet a playmaker on the move, so he isn't likely to spot open shooters and kick out once he's made the decision to go to the basket. Combination of lack of playmaking + runner proficiency is a long term problem.
yet a playmaker on the move, so he isn't likely to spot open shooters and kick out once he's made the decision to go to the basket. Combination of lack of playmaking + runner proficiency is a long term problem.
From an ATL standpoint, they have the personnel to go 5 out in closing time with lineups like Trae/Reddish/Hunter/Gallo/JC. All of these guys can shoot and attack a closeout. If JC is able to make strides finishing on the move, the Hawks are extremely difficult to defend.
To end on an encouraging note, JC has shown he's capable of making these shots in limited doses. While it isn't likely to become a huge part of his game overall, him developing a more fleshed out attack from spot-up chances makes the Hawks more dangerous when it matters most.
Since he's a player facing perhaps a $100m+ payday, how he develops in certain areas could affect ATL's ceiling if indeed they do keep him. With creation improvements, JC unlocks a very dangerous crunch time lineup with 5 shooters, making him a really interesting piece overall.
