Monday 18 February 2019 11:36, UK
After showcasing his talents at All-Star weekend, Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins is wary of allowing complacency to interrupt his rapid ascent to the NBA's elite.
Collins produced several memorable moments in Charlotte as he helped Team USA to victory over Team World in the Rising Stars game on Friday night and then featured in the dunk contest a day later.
The 21-year-old has taken huge strides during his second season in the NBA, averaging 19.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game as the rebuilding Hawks have exceeded expectations in the Eastern Conference.
"That always creeps into your mind when you start doing well and you're like 'man, I can kind of relax a little bit'," Collins told Sky Sports.
"But that's always for me when I know I need to keep pushing.
"When I start wanting to relax is when I flip the switch the other way and sort of push through because I know that's the most important time."
Despite producing perhaps the play of the game on Friday evening as he threw himself an alley-oop off the backboard, Collins failed to advance past the opening round of the dunk contest on Saturday.
Collins attempted to pay homage to North Carolina's aviation tradition by jumping over a model airplane, but clipped the prop on his way to the rim, damaging his score and hopes of progressing to the final.
However, the Florida native is refusing to let the experience dampen his creativeness for the remainder of the season.
"I think I'm going to be putting a little bit more flair now (into my game)," Collins said.
"Being in the dunk competition kind of gives me a little bit of leeway, a little bit more leash to show out a little bit."
