Jalen Johnson has entered his first season for the Atlanta Hawks as the full-time starter at the power forward position. He has been a very promising bright spot for the franchise, who no doubt has big plans for him in the future.
Through 12 games, the 21-year old is averaging 15 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, one block and just under a steal a game, in about 31 minutes of action. His shooting splits have also been rather impressive, averaging 60.8% from the field overall and 44.1% from three. He is also shooting a respectable 73.1% from the free throw line.
That being said, murmurs on social media and throughout Hawks fandom, have shown that some people are still cursing the franchise for shipping out former-Hawk, John Collins, to the Utah Jazz. This is wrong on all counts.
As far as nostalgia goes, Collins was a Hawks mainstay and fan-favorite, so the parting of ways has created this natural emotion. Much like his successor, he was a walking highlight reel and always gave 100% effort on the floor. Yet, fans must realize that is how the league goes, and if a bit of minor logic is used, the John Collins-train and his time in Atlanta had ran its course. Both parties seemingly needed a change of scenery and it was more than understandable.
Collins was dangled in trade rumors for years, which no doubt would frustrate any player, and to Collins’ credit he was a constant professional. But, the Hawks were not getting the production from him that they were expecting, after signing him to a 5-year/$125 million contract.
Collins was never able to get back to his 2019-20 from, where he averaged a double-double of 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds. In his last season with the Hawks, Collins looked out of place and lost on the court much throughout the season. He averaged an almost career-low of 13.1 points per game (only season worse was his rookie year) and a career-low in rebounds at 6.5. The writing was on the wall with three straight seasons of regression.
Collins has had a good start to his campaign in Utah, averaging 14.9 points and 8.7 rebounds, but he does not bring to the floor what Johnson does. The versatility from the former-Duke Blue Devil, raises the team’s ceiling, way more than his predecessor. Johnson can put the ball on the floor, get out in transition, has tremendous passing ability and with the arrival of his consistent three-point shot, that has the potential to add even another dimension to his game.
One could even argue that Johnson should get more opportunities at having the ball in his hands, especially if Trae Young is off the floor. Johnson and Collins are virtually the same size physically, but again, the ability to put the ball on the floor makes Johnson indispensable to the club. His ability to switch to pretty much any player on defense, save maybe the center, also adds to Johnson’s tally.
Collins was a good player for the Hawks, but people have to get out of their feelings and see the vision with Johnson. Sports Illustrated already has put Johnson in the running for Most Improved Player for the 2024 season, and if he keeps this level of play up, he has a real shot at winning.
There is a still a ton of ball to play, and JJ still has areas to improve and grow, but that should excite the people and fans of the Hawks! The franchise’s future is brighter with #1 in the starting line-up. Time will tell, but looks like the Hawks front office got this one right.
Leave us your comments below, did the Hawks get it right with choosing Johnson over Collins? If not, let us know why!
