John Collins is one of the young pieces the Atlanta Hawks are really excited about. After a promising rookie season that resulted in an NBA All-Rookie second-team selection, Collins looks poised to build on his first-year success. He and Trae Young could develop into a dynamic duo, decimating teams with the pick and roll.
However, before Hawks fans get to see Young and Collins torch opposing defenses, Collins will need to get healthy. He's missing the opening-night affair against the New York Knicks after having a non-surgical procedure conducted on his ankle.
Collins doesn't plan to take Game 1 lightly, though. In fact, his new coach, Lloyd Pierce, wants Collins to lock in mentally even though he won't be able to go physically.
“(Pierce) really wants me to lock in on the mental side, that’s what we were just talking about over there,” Collins told Julia Kate E. Culpepper of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“He wants me to lock in on the place, the defense of stats or whatever the opposing teams tendencies are coming into the game. (I need to be) mentally prepared, even though I’m not all the way physically ready yet.”
Everyone in Atlanta would love to see Collins suit up for opening night, but this is the best alternative for now. Collins is still learning how to exist in the NBA, and approaching the game from a different point of view could be beneficial for his overall development.
Mentally preparing for these games will help him do the same when he does return to the action.
Follow Us
Subscribe