Pistons Debut: John Collins Delivers Fiery Welcome To Detroit Moment

During the offseason, the Detroit Pistons brought in John Collins to serve as their long-term answer at power forward, and the 10-year veteran wasted no time in ingratiating himself to the Motown faithful on Monday night. 

Playing against the Phoenix Suns in the preseason opener, Collins found himself in a skirmish with Dillon Brooks midway through the first quarter. In the dust up, the Pistons big man confronted Brooks for his disruptive, foul-heavy style after securing an offensive rebound for Detroit, and both players received technical fouls for their behavior. But despite the penalty, Little Caesars Arena erupted in cheers when they learned that Tobias Harris’ replacement wasn’t willing to be pushed around in the low post— a very Detroit-centric mentality to keep. 

At that moment, Collins’ fit in the Motor City made a whole lot of sense. For the rest of the game, Collins actually played a dynamic role that shifted between the four and the five in small-ball lineups, but the Wake Forest product had already secured his Welcome to Detroit moment in the 109-107 Pistons win. 

“I love his toughness,” Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the game. “To get into it with seven and a half minutes to go in the first quarter of a preseason game is right up the Pistons’ alley.”

During his first game in a Detroit uniform, Collins displayed a versatile skill set for a 6-9, 235-pounder. His first bucket came via put-back after Ausar Thompson botched a floater in the first quarter, then AT served up a deft lob for Collins to finish off with a reverse alley-oop, capping another play off with a bit of flair. So, Collins’ Pistons debut featured a bit of finesse to go along with the brash physicality that he displayed early on. 

“Wasn’t necessarily trying to set that tone, but I’m glad I did,” Collins said. “Sometimes you’ve just got to play basketball. You gotta get physical. I’m going to go out there and compete every night. Guys do what they do, we’re going to play basketball.”

Overall, Collins was an efficient 5-for-7 from the field for 10 points and showed an encouraging willingness to battle down low in the paint. Though the veteran missed his lone three-point attempt of the night, his shooting ability gives opposing defenses another layer to take into account whether he's playing at the four or the five. 

Defensively, Collins had two steals to his credit, but the Pistons seemed to lack considerable defensive rebounding teeth when he flexed to center in small-ball lineups. However, Collins did produce three offensive boards on the other end of the court, so he did have an interior presence during the preseason affair. 

In a Pistons debut that was littered with positive points, the only critique for Collins’ game could be directed toward his discipline. Although the stakes are far from high in a preseason contest, Collins still picked up four fouls in quick succession, so that’s a dangerous game to play in general. But on the whole, Collins looked like a more than competent replacement for Tobias Harris at the four. In fact, the new Detroit power forward showed exciting elements to his game with an under-reported brand of toughness to his game that will serve him well during his time in Motown.