Utah Jazz rookie Isaiah Collier wasn't expected to win the NBA's Rookie of the Year, so when he didn't, the only shocking part was that he didn't receive any votes. However, what was downright bewildering was when he didn't even make an All-Rookie team. Even worse, Chris Haynes not only declared that it was a certainty he would, but would make the first team back in March.
Haynes had an exclusive interview with Collier back in late March, when Collier was fresh off Rookie of the Month honors. Haynes discussed the Jazz rookie's snub from the Rising Stars game, but also made a proclamation that seemed like a given at the time.
When Collier won Rookie of the Month in February, he averaged 11.5 points and 9.5 assists while shooting 44.7% from the field. Those numbers took a slight downtick in March, but Collier had clearly established himself as the best pure playmaker on the Jazz roster as a rookie.
There was certainly competition for a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie team, but it didn't seem too ludicrous at the time to suggest that Collier was a shoo-in to make at least one of them, even if suggesting he would make the first team was a little bold. While Collier proved he was the Jazz's best playmaker, he also proved he was the best playmaker from his class. At least to start.
Collier finished with 6.3 assists per game, which may not be a marvel for the NBA in general, but the rookie who finished after him in that category was Carlton Carrington, who finished with 4.4 per game.
The rookie's glaring Achilles heel was his jumper in his rookie season, but doesn't an NBA player's first year allow leeway for certain flaws to be excused?
Evidently, the NBA voters didn't think too highly of Collier no matter how well he made himself stand out as a playmaker. Haynes was very optimistic about his recognition - maybe more than Collier deserved - and because of that, his take aged pretty poorly.
That doesn't mean Haynes was wrong to believe in Collier
Getting snubbed from an All-Rookie team isn't the end of the world for Collier. If anything, it will give him extra motivation to come back next year with an even bigger chip on his shoulder. What may have been held against him is that he didn't make the league take notice until the Jazz gave him the starter's job in mid-January.
Optimism is pretty low on the Jazz right now. Their skeptics have harped on the fact that they lack a franchise player and just had the worst outcome possible happen to them in the NBA Draft lottery. Perhaps that's all the motivation Collier needs to prove how special he is.
Even if Haynes All-Rookie take on Collier doesn't look good in hindsight, he may get the last laugh after all.