A team in a rebuilding phase is heavily focused on evaluations, whether it is players, lineups, schemes, or anything else related to the organization’s long-term outlook. A club should be careful to not overreact to the play of a rookie, especially if that player comes in with some negative play early in his career. Really, rookies should be allowed to make mistakes as long as they are a constructive part of a learning process.
John Collins, the second-year big man from Wake Forest, will play in career game No. 100 for the Atlanta Hawks this week. He is clearly getting better in multiple phases of play.