All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat: 3 hot factors going into the Atlanta Hawks game

By Trey Flynn

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks talks with Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat after the game at American Airlines Arena on November 27, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Vince Carter #15 of the Atlanta Hawks talks with Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat after the game at American Airlines Arena on November 27, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 31: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks is seen during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – John Collins is the bully version of a unicorn

The Atlanta Hawks stole John Collins in the 2017 NBA Draft, picking him at no. 19, and the rest seems to be history with this underrated behemoth of a power forward.

Collins is on his way this season to win Most Improved Player of the Year (unless J-Rich blows up more), look at these past two seasons in regard to improvement:

2017-18 stats: 10.5 PPG, 7.3 TRB, 1.3 AST, with shooting splits of 57.6/34.0/71.5.

2018-19 stats: 18.5 PPG, 10.2 TRB, 2.5 AST, with shooting splits of 57.2/30.2/69.5.

The drastic jump in points and assists makes Collins a candidate for the MIP award, but it’s the small things he’s doing that are going unnoticed.

Even with Collins’ having an increase in turnovers this season, he’s also seeing an improvement in his assist numbers, and even though they both counteract one another, it’s a great sign that the big man is trying to differentiate his game.

And it’s not only assists, Collins’ is attempting to transform his big man game into a stretch four style as well, a lot like a Blake Griffin or Draymond Green. Collins’ percentage from the 3-point line may be down this season, but that’s because he’s taking more 3’s per game (0.6 in ’17-18 and 2.4 in ’18-19).

Moreover, the production keeps increasing throughout the regular season. Over the past ten games, Collins is averaging 19.7 PPG, 11.3 TRB, 2.7 AST, and shooting 59 percent from the field and a startling 39 percent from downtown.

The Heat have to try and slow down the workhorse that is John Collins, or else they’ll be in big trouble.

James Johnson, you may have your hands full on the defensive end for most of this game, as the Hawks were without Collins in their win against the Heat earlier this year.

Our next factor has more to do with the future backcourt battle of the East.

Home/Heat News