Atlanta Hawks: Season Review: Jason Collins
Season reviews presented in alphabetical order . . .
One of the Hawks’ odd organizational quarks is the insistence that Jason Collins is more than a specialist best suited for a narrowly defined role. Perhaps even weirder is how often that line of thinking has worked out for them . . . until it doesn’t.
Consider the 2012 playoffs. Larry Drew’s decision to start Collins against the Celtics in Game 1 seemed foolhardy but Collins had probably his best performance of the season in Game 1. He not only played good defense against Kevin Garnett but added six points and five rebounds in 32 minutes.
Collins’ production dropped off in Game 2 but his on-court, off-court was positive even as it became apparent Boston would focus more on attacking him with screen-rolls. Collins was OK in Game 3 but Drew’s faith in him had diminishing returns as Garnett abandoned his strange insistence on posting up Collins.
That Drew stuck with Collins as long as he did is an example of his tendency to give a long leash to veterans who have done anything positive for him in the past regardless of the negative things they are doing at the present (or, for that matter, the limitations suggested by their long-term history). That’s not to say the Hawks had any great options in the front court, especially after Ivan Johnson’s shaky outing in Game 2, but best to try something different when what you are using isn’t working.
I offer these critiques while acknowledging I thought it was a bad idea for the Hawks to bring back Collins in 2010-11. It seemed absurd that part of the reason the Hawks parted ways with Mike Woodson was because he didn’t play Collins enough minutes against the Magic in the 2010 playoffs. But it turned out Collins was a key part of the Dwight Defense in 2011. I also thought playing Collins significant minutes against the Celtics was a mistake but his play in Games 1 and (most of) 2 showed that he could help in small doses.
But if I’ve undervalued Collins at times, the Hawks continue to overvalue him. He’s still a solid post defender in certain matchups, though there’s evidence he’s slipping in that area: According to Synergy Sports Technology, this season Collins allowed .84 points per possession in 32 chances (141st in the league). His defensive on-court, off-court magic subsided even as his opponent PER was respectable.
Those defensive numbers (which, mind you, were accumulated in circumstances most favorable to Collins) would have to be much better to compensate for Collins’ career-long lack of offensive production and poor efficiency for a big man. There’s also the matter of Collins missing six weeks with an elbow injury, though that development had the effect of freeing up frontcourt minutes for Johnson.
Word is the Hawks will extend a tender to Johnson (as soon as they get around to putting a permanent GM in place) which probably would be enough to keep him. Perhaps that also would mean the end of the occasionally-fruitful-most-times-perplexing Collins era for the Hawks.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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344 comments Add your comment
brigadierjerry
June 6th, 2012
8:42 pm
Slimjr,
Boss do you realize that Miami outrebounded the Celtics 49 to 39?
Also check with me in 10 years if Derrick Williams will be a better player than Al Horford or Josh Smith and will shoot better from three than Ray Allen. remember those declarations you made?
Other than that all good ny homie!!
brigadierjerry
June 6th, 2012
9:00 pm
If there’s any lesson we can learn from Miami, it’s that you can’t nurture your players’ prima donna side. Lebron and Wade’s egos have gotten so big that they feel they are entitled to special treatment from the refs, and when they don’t get it, they become more preoccupied with the officiating than the actual game. And as a result, they stop playing transition defense, allowing Boston to get a critical basket just by beating Miami down the floor after a made basket.
High-sider
June 6th, 2012
9:02 pm
@O”Brien
O”Brien
June 6th, 2012
8:26 pm
High-sider,
Let it go. Hinrich and Marvin were already under contract, and the cheap ASG were not going to amnesty either of them to make room for Jamal.
——————————————————————————–
I’ll never let it go [LOL]. BTW, I see we have an “O’Brien” and an “O”Brien.” One with one apostrophe and another with two apostrophes. See posts at 4:10pm, 4:12pm, 4:29pm, 8:17pm, 8:21pm and 8:26pm. What’s up with that? Now we’re up to two “O Brien’s” [no apostrophes this time] and four “Ray’s” [Ray, Big Ray, Sugar Ray and Sugar Ray Robinson]. And we have a Ra’mon [pronounced rah-MOAN, I think, or, at least, that's what I understood]. But I’m the one that’s “nuts” [on this blog] [sic]? [SMH]
tjhook
June 6th, 2012
9:13 pm
Or as a second trade suggestion: Jeff Teague and Al Horfod for Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers. Larry Drew has shown that he wants a perimeter attack. Chalmers does what Teague does’t -shoot well. Teague would diversify Miami’s attack but we could get someone to play post for the Hawks in Bosh. Horford would be the grinder that the Heat needs. Anthony can move to center full time for the Heat.
High-sider
June 6th, 2012
9:17 pm
I see Russell Westbrook and/or Kendrick Perkins costing the Thunder a playoff series loss with their boneheaded plays.
Is it rigged?
I’ve see two NBA commercials – one with Kevin Durant and one with Paul Pierce – where both players [Durant and Pierce] sit on beams(?) high above the court [in the rafters] and they both talk about winning an NBA championship. Is that foreshadowing or what?
tyger
June 6th, 2012
9:19 pm
Quickest path to Eastern Finals:
PG, Damian Lillard
- significant upgrade over Teague…
- natural scorer, aggressive, deep range…
- any deal for Smoove must include Lillard…
- immediately best PG since Mookie…
- would punish teams for doubling JJ…
- makes it rain from 3 – no grannie shotput…
tyger
June 6th, 2012
9:24 pm
PG, Damian Lillard, Weber State
- led nation in scoring
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Damian-Lillard-Video-Scouting-Report-3946/
BIG DOG
June 6th, 2012
9:34 pm
M C must been bored made blog on Collins, SMH
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
9:34 pm
I do now thanks to you slice!
is that you DUI?
BIG DOG
June 6th, 2012
9:38 pm
Thunders 2012 NBA Champions.
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
BIG DOG
June 6th, 2012
9:41 pm
tyger – Damian Lillard over seas basketball, JUST DAM
BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE
Melvin
June 6th, 2012
9:42 pm
The Hawks should jump on this. Marvin for Ariza and 10th pick…
Shaun Powell: Hornets will entertain offers for 10th pick if someone also agrees to take Ariza or Okafor contracts.
Melvin
June 6th, 2012
9:48 pm
I would like to get that 10th pick from the Hornets and select Perry Jones from Baylor. At 6-11, he could play both forward positions and some spot C….
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/perry-jones
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
9:53 pm
Where’s Chris, where’s T-Mac, where’s Chris, where’s T-Mac?
Melvin
June 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
Stephen Jackson is putting on a shooting clinic in this 1st half while playing tough defense on Durant. And some folks on here would prefer Marvin at SF…. SMH…
Melvin
June 6th, 2012
9:57 pm
Video highlights of Perry Jones
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/perry-jones
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
10:12 pm
Capt J,
DW shot 10% higher from 3pt land than Ray in their college career….I did look that one up..lol.
21 and 10 in the 1st half? Wow Tony!
KevinM
June 6th, 2012
10:17 pm
All these trade ideas and you know what Rick Sund is going to do?
He’s going to do nothing for another year. He just has to swallow the fact that LD is the coach for one more year, so let’s give this one more run. We don’t need to change out what we have.
We just have to try and avoid a step back, meaning falling out of the playoffs.
And call me an idiot for saying Gasol is better than Josh because he is.
At least the Josh that LD has allowed to develop.
I hope this Collins article is the last one on him. He’s making 1M for playing 6 good games a year. Nice gig if you can get it.
KevinM
June 6th, 2012
10:20 pm
“Melvin
June 6th, 2012
9:54 pm
Stephen Jackson is putting on a shooting clinic in this 1st half while playing tough defense on Durant. And some folks on here would prefer Marvin at SF…. SMH…”
Melvin, you’re on point tonight! No way Marvin should be allowed to come back and play a big role on this team. I hope if nothing else we have seen the last of #24 standing on the perimeter or letting a rebound slip through his hands.
KevinM
June 6th, 2012
10:22 pm
Slim, I hope you’re not pushing for us to go get a PF are you?
That is the last position that this versatile, multiple defending position lineup that we need.
We are just too good already with our balanced lineup. We have a group of great guys who really like each other.
I don’t think we should break any of this up….(roll your eyes right here!)
Well, that’s what we’re going to hear going forward.
KevinM
June 6th, 2012
10:23 pm
Najeh, I say we go get a pick high enough to allow us to bring in Doc’s boy and perhaps we can coerce Doc after a year off to come in and save this franchise. It wouldn’t come cheap though.
High-sider
June 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
Melvin
June 6th, 2012
9:42 pm
The Hawks should jump on this. Marvin for Ariza and 10th pick…
Shaun Powell: Hornets will entertain offers for 10th pick if someone also agrees to take Ariza or Okafor contracts.
——————————————————
Hawks-Hornets trade scenario as follows:
1. The Hawks get Emeka Okafor and the [2012] 10th pick.
2. The Hornets get Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia.
Hawks new starting lineup:
pg – JeffTeague
sg – Joe Johnson
sf – Josh Smith
pf – Al Horford
c – Emeka Okafor
Hawks then draft the best big man available with the 10th pick. Is that [scenario] even possible?
P.S. Bring back Jamal Crawford.
KevinM
June 6th, 2012
10:26 pm
Melvin, if you saw PJII go up against UK in the Elite 8 this year, you should only have 2 words:
non-factor
He is not going to be that good. He was a disappearing act and left me very unimpressed. Especially at #10.
I wouldn’t grab him at 23. He doesn’t like contact.
Astro Joe
June 6th, 2012
10:27 pm
Melvin, I’d make that trade in a nano-second. Regarding Perry Jones, I understand that he believes that he is a SF and wants to be given a chance to be an SF. Evidently, he isn’t a big fan of contact. But I’m sure there is someone else with passion that can be selected at that slot. As you may expect, I’m a Sullinger fan.
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
10:29 pm
KevinM, at this point I’m willing to take anybody who can score the ball.
He can play the 1.2.3.4, or 5?
..
O'Brien
June 6th, 2012
10:32 pm
High-sider,
‘ or “,it’s me lol.
Melvin,
If Marvin only had 1 year left, it would have been possible. But Ariza has 2 years, $15mil left. Marvin has 2 years, $15.8 mil. The Hornets will not do Marvin for Ariza and the #10 pick.
O'Brien
June 6th, 2012
10:33 pm
Watching Popovich coach, he doesnt care who you are (star player,or 10th man on the team). He will yell at you regardless. I admire his consistency.
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
10:40 pm
Steven Jackson is unconscious! 6-6 from dream land!
O'Brien
June 6th, 2012
10:43 pm
Slim,
Hawks fans thought Stephen Jackson was done. They thought he was a malcontent, and would want to be the man here. This team is too nice, and too soft, and needs some attitude.
maaavelous
June 6th, 2012
10:48 pm
Collins is a stiff.
Rod from College Park
June 6th, 2012
10:50 pm
O’Brien and Melvin,
How long have I been saying go get Stephen Jackson. Going on two years now. Guy would be perfect for the softies on our team.
SteveW
June 6th, 2012
10:55 pm
So Picks #7,8, and 10 are willing to trade their picks? 7 and 8 for wings. That goes along with what I’ve heard about this draft:
1) Everybody but Davis and Zeller have questions. And Zeller is only a late lottery type of guy.
2) There are 15 legit NBA PF’s in this draft. But all but Davis have some question, whether it’s conditioning, attitude, game, whatever – there is an issue.
Melvin
June 6th, 2012
11:00 pm
Rod from CP,
Along with me and OB (i think)…. We should’ve sent Marvin to the Bucks for Jackson when he was buried on there bench.
High-sider
June 6th, 2012
11:02 pm
If the Hawks get Emeka Okafor and the Hornets get Marvin Williams and Zaza Pachulia, how do the Hawks come out “on the short end” of the deal by giving up M. Williams?
Hollinger’s Analysis:
Hawks [-6 wins]
Hornets [+4 wins]
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4tmerc4
SteveW
June 6th, 2012
11:05 pm
Looking at the rankings from this past draft, it was a pretty weak draft:
Brandon Knight
1) Irving
2) Faried (but Faried had a higher PER)
3) Isaiah Thomas
4) Kawhi Leonard
5) Klay Thompson
6) Iman Shumpert
7) Marshon Brooks
9) Chandler Parsons
10) Kemba Walker
I mean you’ve got some solid players in there – but nothing spectacular. Maybe in the future however – Except Irving – he’s spectacular – and Faried is going to be real solid also – good Coach.
No Derrick Williams or Enes Kanter – Hmmm…
Rod from College Park
June 6th, 2012
11:06 pm
Melvin,
Yep. We might still be playing.
SteveW
June 6th, 2012
11:06 pm
So i have no idea how this smiley face appeared next to Brandon Knight – Weird
Melvin
June 6th, 2012
11:09 pm
Rod from CP,
Co-Sign
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:10 pm
“No Derrick Williams or [deleted] – Hmmm…”
Yea whats up with that? Hmmmmm
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:16 pm
Manu not getting any calls tonight?
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:26 pm
It wont take 10 years for Derrick to be a better basketball player than Josh or Whatever, Grasshopper!
He already has offensive skills that neither one of them have….
For instance, he can shoot a pull up jumper off the, dare I say “dribble”? Really?..Fundamentals Grasshopper! Hmmmm…
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:28 pm
Has the King just been Dethroned? Kevin may have a say soon…
The Spurs are done.. Ran out of steam..Wow!
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:31 pm
The Hawks could have been OKC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
High-sider
June 6th, 2012
11:32 pm
The “Young and Inexperienced” Thunder is showing the “Experienced and Veteran” Heat [on] “how to close” in the playoffs. The Heat should be ashamed of themselves. A-B-C – Always Be Closing.
High-sider
June 6th, 2012
11:34 pm
The Thunder beat the Spurs in FOUR CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF GAMES this 2012 post season!!!!!!
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:36 pm
As good as Lebron is at scoring the ball, Durant is just as good if not better cause of his range and super quick release that you cant teach. Its a gift from up above and to be 6′11″ with a handle like that?
CRAZY?????????????????????????????
High-sider
June 6th, 2012
11:37 pm
Correction: “…The Heat should be ashamed of itself*…”
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:38 pm
Oh, did I forget to mention, Durant has a [mid-range game/jumper] that Lebron can only dream about?
Slimjr
June 6th, 2012
11:42 pm
SAM PRESTI [OKC GM]. Remarkable Job Sir!
Najeh Davenpoop
June 6th, 2012
11:43 pm
“And how do you know it does nothing to push them past their second round ceiling?”
Because Gasol has never won a playoff game as the best player on his team, which he would be after a Josh for Gasol trade, not to mention that Gasol is declining.
I think that trade keeps the Hawks treading water as the 4th or 5th best team in the conference, but nothing more.