After months and even years of rumors, John Collins packed his bags. We didn’t necessarily expect him at the Jazz, where he should be 6th man behind Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, and we didn’t necessarily expect the Hawks to sell him off at this point. But the former dunk contest winner is mostly happy to feel wanted.
“I was excited to go to a place that I knew really wanted me and was trying to get me back”, said Collins. “It’s always great to hear and know that you’ve come to a place that really wants you and wants you to excel. It’s a great relief to know that all the discussions are over and I can go to a new house and make it my new home”.
“A good thing to end it and start afresh in Utah”
The word “relief” came up several times during his press briefing. “It’s a great relief” he insists. “It is clear that my name was the subject of many rumors and it was not easy. So it’s a good thing to get it over with and start afresh in Utah. The franchise welcomed me with open arms and tried to make me feel as comfortable as possible. Being able to go to the Delta Center and say hello to the fans – even though it wasn’t all official yet… I still wanted to be around and try to get known to the Utah faithful and start my relationship on as soon as possible. »
At Jazz, Collins believes that his versatility will fit perfectly with the style of play advocated by Will Hardy. “I only know how to play one way,” he continues. “And if there’s one thing the coach told me, it’s that the fans love a player who gives his all, who plays with passion, who loves the game, who dives on the pitch, who comes back in defense to counter, which causes passages in force… I do all that. Beyond my qualities and basketball, passion is an integral part of my game.
Finally, we can even say that it is a homecoming, since he was born in Utah where his father was a soldier! “It’s pretty cool to come full circle. Coming back to Utah… That’s how life works…”
| John Collins | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2017-18 | ATL | 74 | 24 | 57.6 | 34.0 | 71.5 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 10.5 |
| 2018-19 | ATL | 61 | 30 | 56.0 | 34.8 | 76.3 | 3.6 | 6.2 | 9.8 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 19.5 |
| 2019-20 | ATL | 41 | 33 | 58.3 | 40.1 | 80.0 | 2.8 | 7.3 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 21.6 |
| 2020-21 | ATL | 63 | 29 | 55.6 | 39.9 | 83.3 | 1.9 | 5.5 | 7.4 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 17.6 |
| 2021-22 | ATL | 54 | 31 | 52.6 | 36.4 | 79.3 | 1.7 | 6.1 | 7.8 | 1.8 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 16.2 |
| 2022-23 | ATL | 71 | 30 | 50.8 | 29.2 | 80.3 | 1.1 | 5.4 | 6.5 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 13.1 |
| Total | 364 | 29 | 55.1 | 35.6 | 78.3 | 2.2 | 5.8 | 8.0 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 15.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
