Because John Collins has been phenomenal this season, fans of the LA Clippers have been requesting that he be inserted into the starting lineup for just one game. After Tyronn Lue sees how well he does, the championship head coach will not want to go back. However, Law Murray of 'The Athletic' asked Lue about what Collins needs to do next, and his response ultimately hints that the veteran forward needs to play without any weaknesses before he starts.
Many want more John Collins minutes, more touches, and for him to be in starting lineup
— Law Murray ⛲️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) November 7, 2025
Asked Tyronn Lue about what he needs to see from Collins offensively, and he mentioned Collins' spacing
(The biggest concern offense for Collins offensively for me has been his AST-TO ratio) pic.twitter.com/zm6Jowhyyb
Furthermore, the whole point of Lue's answer was all about Collins' awareness. The coaching staff wants him to correctly recognize and relocate to the proper spot in the half-court, as this can lead to more attempts from beyond the arc, which he excels at, with a 42.1 three-point percentage in eight games.
However, it does not seem like Lue will start Collins now or in the near future, even though he has been a top-four Clipper so far. He ultimately wants perfection, which is unrealistic for any NBA player.
Tyronn Lue is finding faults in John Collins' game but overlooking Bradley Beal's
It was understandable why Bradley Beal was starting, as he is experienced, one of the LA Clippers' most proven scorers, and showed improved defense in the preseason. But, after eight games, the facts and constructive criticism have swelled in intensity, and rather than Tyronn Lue taking a peek at them, he still prefers the three-time All-Star.
What Lue can see before every game is Beal's averages, and following five of them, they look horrific, with 7.4 points, on a true-shooting percentage of 44.4. He also played 20 minutes against the Phoenix Suns, shot 2-14, had a +/- of -23, and committed two turnovers.
Moreover, Beal's weaknesses have been far more detrimental than what Lue is looking for from John Collins going forward. He wants little details and minor imperfections to no longer exist, yet would rather keep the player, who is way more inefficient and older, in the starting lineup.
In comparison, Collins has a true-shooting percentage of 62.9, nearly 20% higher than Beal's, and that is through three more games played, as the Wake Forest product has been available the whole season.
That said, Collins is the undeniably clear starter, yet fans are hoping Lue realizes it while the season is still young. He should look at the obvious and pick the deserved choice as soon as he possibly can.