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Best Ever Atlanta Hawks

The Greatest Atlanta Hawks of All Time
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High-Flyin' Hawks

Dominique Wilkins, also known as "The Human Highlight Film," is widely considered to be the best player in Atlanta Hawks history. With his electrifying dunks and explosive athleticism, Wilkins captivated fans and helped to make the Hawks one of the most popular teams in the NBA in the 1980s. NBA scoring phenom "Pistol Pete" Maravich was a highlight reel all his own. Let's not forget hoops legend Bob Pettit leading the Hawks to the '58 title.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the careers of these three players and why they are considered to be among the best in Atlanta Hawks history. We will also discuss other great players who have worn a Hawks uniform, such as Cliff Hagan, Lou Hudson, Mookie Blaylock, and Joe Johnson.

History of the Atlanta Hawks Franchise

The Hawks were founded in 1946 as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, playing in Moline, Illinois, Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa. They were one of the original franchises of the National Basketball League (NBL), which merged with the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1949 to form the NBA. The Blackhawks moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1951 and were renamed the Milwaukee Hawks. A move to St Louis was next for the franchise, as they played there as the Hawks for 13 seasons before becoming the Atlanta franchise in 1968.

The Hawks won their only NBA championship in 1958, defeating the Boston Celtics in six games. Led by Bob Pettit, who won the NBA Finals MVP award. The Hawks reached the Finals again in 1961 but lost to the Celtics in five games.

Hall of Fame Hawks

Some of the top players that ever suited up for the Hawks have gone on to be inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Here are the Hawks HOFs by franchise jersey number:

Dikembe Mutombo

Born June 25, 1966, in Kinshasa, Congo-Kinshasa, was Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Center, Dikembe Mutombo. This former Georgetown player was the fourth overall selection in the 1991 Draft. He played in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets. He finished his 19-year NBA career averaging 2.8 blocked shots per game.

Cliff Hagan

Born December 9, 1931, in Owensboro, Kentucky, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Forward Cliff Hagan. This legend was a six-time All-Star, a member of the 1958 Champion St Louis Hawks, and made All-NBA twice during his 13-year career. He was also a player-coach for the Dallas Chaparrals in the first two-plus years of the American Basketball Association's existence (1967–1970).

Pete Maravich

Born June 22, 1947, in Alquippa, Pennsylvania, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Guard, Pete Maravich. Maravich is one of the best all-stime outside shooters in NBA history. He was a five-time All-Star and on the NBA 75th Anniversary team. He played on the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Jazz, Utah Jazz, and Boston Celtics.

Bob Pettit

Born December 12, 1932, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Forward/Center Bob Pettit. During his 11 seasons in the NBA, all with the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954–1965) he was a star player. In 1956, he became the first recipient of the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award and he won the award again in 1959. This legend was an eleven-time NBA All-Star. He really played well in Big games. Pettit led the Hawks to an NBA Championship with a then-playoff record 50 points in the Hawks' 110-109 series-clinching victory in game 6 over the Boston Celtics.

Connie Hawkins

Born July 17, 1942, in Brooklyn, new York, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Forward/Center, Connie Hawkins. This legend was a five-time NBA All-Star, 1967-68 League MVP and twice an ABA All-Star. His finished his illustrious career averaging 18.7 point per game. Hawkins played for the Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, and Atlanta Hawks.

Tracy McGrady

Born May 24, 1979 in Bartow, Florida, was Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Guard/Forward, Tracy McGrady. McGrady played the position of F-G wearing the number 1 on the Toronto Raptors (98, 99, 00), Orlando Magic (2001, 02, 03, 04), Houston Rockets (2005, 06, 07, 08, 09), Detroit Pistons (2011), Atlanta Hawks (2012), and the San Antonio Spurs (2013) for 10 seasons as he scored 18381 points, dished out 4161 assists, crashed the boards for 5276 rebounds, and blocked 807 shots.

Dominique Wilkins

Born January 12, 1960 in Paris, France - Dominique Wilkins, American Basketball Hall of Fame forward was a nine time NBA All Star from 1986–94 of the Atlanta Hawks. Dominique was also selected to the NBA's 75th Anniversary team. The prolific player wire Number 21 for most of his career. He was the NBA scoring champion 1986, won the annual NBA Slam Dunk Contest 1985 and 90 with his signature take-it-to-the-hole style. "The Human Highlight film" also played for the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs during his career, but I think most of us remember him as a Hawk.

Walt Bellamy

Born July 24, 1939, n New Bern, North Carolina, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Center Walt Bellamy. He played college basketball at Indiana University and holds the school records for most rebounds in a season (649) and most double-doubles in a career (59). Then after some great seasons for the Hoosiers moved to the pro ranks. Walt was an NBA All-Star 1962–65; NBA Rookie of Year 1962; Olympic gold medal winner at the games in 1960.

Lou Hudson

Born: July 11, 1944 in Greensboro, North Carolina, was Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Guard/Forward Lou Hudson. "Sweet Lou" was an All-American in college as a University of Minnesota Golden Gopher. Lou was part of the first black recruiting class at Minnesota, as he, Archie Clark and Don Yates enrolled at the University of Minnesota in 1964. Hudson went on to play in the NBA with the St Louis and Atlanta Hawks, later the Los Angeles Lakers, and a six-time NBA All-Star, scoring 17,940 total points in 13 NBA seasons (1966–1979). He averaged 20.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 890 games. He shot .489 from the field and .797 from the free throw line. He was the 12th all-time leading scorer in NBA History at the time of his retirement.

Hudson's jersey number has been retired by both the Atlanta Hawks and the University of Minnesota.

Toni Kukoc

Born September 18, 1968 in Spilt, Croatia, was Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Forward, Toni Kukoc. Kukoc played on the Chicago Bulls,

Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks for 12 seasons, winning three NBA Championships, making the 1993-94 All-Rookie team and 1995-96 Sixth Man Awards. Toni finished his NBA career with an 11.6 points per game average.

Moses Malone

Moses Malone was an NBA MVP 1979, 82-83; won the NBA Finals MVP 1983; and was selected as a 12-time NBA All Star. He played with the 1974–1975 Utah Stars (ABA), 1975–1976 Spirits of St. Louis,, 1976 Buffalo Braves, 1976–1982 Houston Rockets, 1982–1986 Philadelphia 76ers,, 1986–1988 Washington Bullets, 1988–1991 Atlanta Hawks, 1991–1993 Milwaukee Bucks, 1993–1994 Philadelphia 76ers, and 1994–1995 San Antonio Spurs. He is Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Center.

Credits and Thanks

The Image in the banner is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of the 1958 NBA Finals championship banner on the backdrop of the Wikipedia Commons photo collection of the Public Domain of a basketball.

Special thanks to the sites in the player links and to Basketball-Reference.com

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