Hawks power forward John Collins has continued to play for Atlanta even as he deals with lingering foot pain and now sports a protective wrap around his finger, per Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Collins recently returned to Atlanta’s active roster following a seven-game absence as he dealt with his strained right foot.
“I’m not going to tell you everything,” Hawks head coach Nate McMillan said regarding the health of Collins. “I just respect him for his effort and he does have some things that are going on that he’s trying to play through.”
Through 54 games for the 32-34 Hawks, the 6’9″ big man is averaging 16.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 1.8 APG and boasts shooting splits of .526/.364/.793. Atlanta is currently the tenth seed in the Eastern Conference, mere percentage points behind the ninth-seeded Hornets, who sport a 32-34 record. An extended absence for the Hawks’ second-leading scorer in Collins could spell trouble for the Hawks’ play-in chances.
There’s more out of the Southeast Division:
- Hawks reserve combo guard Delon Wright, an unrestricted free agent this summer, is currently out of Atlanta’s rotation. Hawks head coach Nate McMillan explained his thinking behind Wright’s exclusion from the present lineup, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic (Twitter link). “He’s been playing well,” McMillan said. “It’s nothing he’s done. He’s been playing well. It’s really difficult to play a 10-man rotation because everyone gets squeezed. What I did was went to Lou [Williams] at that backup [point guard spot] — the rotation we had last year.” The 6’5″ veteran is in his seventh NBA season.
- Hornets backup point guard Isaiah Thomas discussed his fight for an NBA future with Jared Weiss of The Athletic. Currently on his third NBA club this season, following prior 10-day contracts with the Lakers and Mavericks, Thomas is excited for his opportunity with Charlotte, with whom he recently signed a second 10-day deal. “It’s just a blessing for me to be able to be where I’m at today with how bad my hip was, because I never thought I would be in this space again where I have no pain and I can play free and I can just live free,” Thomas said. “Not just play, like, I don’t have no pain on a daily basis.” Thomas has had multiple surgeries on his troublesome hip, but says he has been pain-free since a 2020 operation. The 5’9″ veteran is averaging 9.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.7 APG and 1.0 SPG in just 13.7 MPG over the course of his three games with Charlotte. “I don’t ice my hip, I don’t do any pre-workout for it. I don’t do anything,” he said. “It’s the same as before I got hurt. I know I can do those things again, but I’m not chasing those moments.”
- Magic center Mohamed Bamba has an interesting summer ahead of him. Orlando will have to tender the former No. 6 pick in the 2018 NBA draft a $10.1MM one-year qualifying offer this summer for him to reach restricted free agency — otherwise he will become an unrestricted free agent. Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link) expects the qualifying offer to be a foregone conclusion. Given Bamba’s uneven play during his first NBA seasons, it seemed possible that he could reach unrestricted free agency, hoping to catch on with a club in a reserve role at a rate below the qualifying offer. However, Bamba is enjoying by far the best statistical season of his NBA career thus far, averaging 10.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 1.7 BPG across 57 games for Orlando, including 55 starts.
I have a long list of favorite all-time Hawks going back to Dan Roundfield & other guys that were before my time but John Collins is really moving his way up that list. His energy is awesome overall but just the way that he’s so willing & able to sacrifice for the team is extremely admirable. Hopefully he gets better soon & can get in a good rhythm before the postseason. But either way I’m glad he’s on our team… As far as Delon he should definitely be back in the rotation sooner than later & will be huge for us in the playoffs as our best perimeter defender. I hope we can sign him back this summer too… If I’m Portland I let Nurk walk & target Mitch Robinson & Mo Bamba in free agency. Much better defenders, especially as rim protectors & overall better fits for what Chauncey is building out there. If I’m Orlando I let Bamba walk & target Bobby Portis as his replacement in free agency
Joe Johnson, Dennis Schröder, Mookie Blaylock, Dominique Wilkins, Josh/Steve Smith, Antoine Carr, Josh Childress, Jason Terry, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Paul Millsap, Trae Young, Chris/Jordan/Jamal Crawford, Tree Rollins, Spud Webb, DeAndre Hunter just a few of the other guys on that list
No love for Plastic Man?
I was a BIG fan of those UNLV teams with Augmon as a youngster. Anderson Hunt still one of my favorite ballers ever. I was extremely hype when we drafted Augmon & he had a big impact defensively even as a rookie. He just could not dribble or shoot worth shxt tho. At that age I wasn’t really ready to appreciate a defensive specialist like Augmon. He was big for us when we had that great team in 94 but the Hawks went on to trade Nique that yr & flame out in the playoffs. I can’t even remember how/why we let Augmon go but I feel like he was probably at his best in the NBA with the Hawks. Of all the gang affiliated guys that have come thru the league Augmon probably gets the most respect from the streets so I def got love for him. Much like Brian Hunter (Braves) & Scott Case (Falcons), he helped my team in the early -mid 90s & I liked him but he wouldn’t be on my list of favorites
your quick list should have kevin willis replace rollins and pistol for idk, someone else.
Jon Koncack >_0
If anyone doubts that we are currently in the golden age of the NBA just remember that Koncak was a starter & key player in the league for years in the late 80s/early 90s. Just seeing Koncak’s name makes me SO grateful that we have guys like Capela & Okongwu currently holding us down at the 5
I met Tree & Spud at Greenbriar mall as a youngster so they’re gonna go ahead & stay on the list lol. Kevin Willis was a beast for the Hawks but I didn’t really become a fanatic until the Mookie/Smitty/Laettner/Mutombo days
Not a fanboy of Lou Hudson? Maybe before your time. But the Hawks best player (since StL) until Wilkins got there.
Yea I heard about Lou Hudson & see his jersey in the rafters anytime I go to a game but he was well before my time. I don’t really know much about him except that he was a big time scorer
Under rating Nurks defense. It’s not highlighty or above the rim but Nurk is a helluva defender. In that mold of what Joker is doing and Cousins did years ago. Being huge and hard to get around helps.
I would definitely say that Nurk, Jokic & Cousins are all below average defenders. And they play a position where you really want a guy that’s above average defensively bc of how important it is & how much defensive responsibility a 5 has. Now of course all 3 of those guys are great offensive players especially Jokic (literally 1 of the best offensive players I’ve ever seen) & prime Boogie. But the fact that none of them, especially Nurk, is good at protecting the rim definitely matters. All 3 are very strong & very big & that has value but what Robinson & Bamba do as rim protectors has more value
I’m pretty sure any non eye test would beg to differ. Any advanced look offers a different vantage point. It was a few years Cousins was dominant in defense whether he looked lazy or not. Like Embiid, it doesn’t look spectacular but changes offenses. Nurk is a beast on defense. When your that big people challenge at the rim less and have less space getting there. Getting 1 block per 36 extra doesn’t equate to that much. Nurk gets steals at a high rate and is smart and long.
Embiid often does look spectacular on defense & is much better as a rim protector & just as overall defender compared to the other 3. Please name the year when Boogie was dominant defensively bc I definitely missed that. Feel free to present any #s that show Nurk or Boogie being above average defensively.
Do you always argue with no one?
Nurkic DRAPTOR, LEBROn and Darko on defense has him top 10 or better center over last 5 years running. Except the year he was hurt.
One must wonder what has Mr Bamba done to the writers of HR… I mean just recently said he scores an occasional trey, when we can stablish he is a better shooter than Myles Turner that gets so much praised in here for his shooting, odd, right?
Now is mentioned the reserve center of ORL… I don’t know you guys, but in my book a player that starts 55 out of 57 games played… I kind of count him as a starter, you know what I mean?
As I said I would like to know what he has done against HR, as I think he is a pretty good & interesting young player!
“I’m not going to tell you everything,” Hawks head coach Nate McMillan said with a smirk.
I knew there was a romantic angle here. Why doesn’t anybody f****** listen to me?