Summer is behind us, which means a pretty entertaining (dramatic?) NBA off-season is in the rearview. Now, teams are entering training camps, with preseason and regular-season basketball around the corner.
Media Day is usually the unofficial signal of the start of the upcoming season.
And as the Hawks were addressing the media, it just so happens that forward John Collins’ birthday fell on the same day. And as with all birthdays, the Hawks celebrated.
Here are a few of the guys presenting Collins with a cake for his 25th birthday. On the cake? An iconic picture of Collins dunking all over Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid.
Lots of love for the Birthday boy @jcollins20_ 🥳 pic.twitter.com/tHkeOargX6
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 23, 2022
For those who don’t remember the play:
JOHN COLLINS TOOK FLIGHT 😱 pic.twitter.com/lWi0L3Pj6t
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 19, 2021
The moment came during an Eastern Conference semifinals matchup between the Sixers and Hawks back in 2021. Atlanta would lose this sixth game but would defeat Philly in seven to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Threw our guy @jcollins20_ a birthday party at Media Day 🥳 pic.twitter.com/LcM8ZO404z
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 24, 2022
With a core of Collins, Trae Young and newly acquired Dejounte Murray, Atlanta has +2000 odds at Tipico Sportsbook to win the East.
