While the next-man up mentality in sports is usually reserved for injury, the Hawks coach finds himself missing one of his best players. However, John Collins will not be away from the team for 25 games due to a sprained ankle. Rather the power forward is unavailable because of a positive test for a banned substance.
“Now, it’s how to we address it? How do we move forward? What is the plan to help John during this time,” Pierce said Tuesday before the Hawks hosted the Spurs in the first game that Collins will miss due to the suspension handed down by the NBA.