The Top 10 Atlanta Hawks of All Time

Current players are not eligible.

10) Tree Rollins

Tree was a dominating defensive force for the hawks of the 80s. Why is he here instead of guys like Pete Maravich and Dikembe Mutombo? That’s easy the Pistol and Mutombo were not Hawks for a long enough time for me.

9) Doc Rivers

Rivers’ best year as both a pro and a Hawk came in 1986-87 when he played every game and averaged a double-double for the entire season as the starting point guard. Rivers was known for his defense and his ability as a leader.

8) Kevin Willis

Willis was a huge contributor alongside Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, and Doc Rivers of the Hawks playoff teams of the 80s and his career stats show how big a contributor he was 14.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.8 SPG (1984-1994).

7) Al Horford

Horford’s best years were as a Hawk. Four of his five All-Star selections came while playing for the Atlanta Hawks.

6) Mookie Blaylock

Many will think this is too high but for my money, Mookie was the best defensive guard in Hawks history. Mookie is one of only five players in NBA history to lead the league in steals in consecutive years. Mookie also made four NBA All-Defensive Second Teams and two NBA All-Defensive First Teams.

5) Cliff Hagan

Hagan teamed up with Bob Pettit in 1958 to bring the Hawks their only NBA Title to date. Hagan would be selected to five All-Star teams and two All-NBA Second Teams as a Hawk.

4) John Drew

Drew is quite often forgotten and it’s a shame because he was a great basketball player. He was selected in the 7th round of the NBA draft and he was a definite steal for the Hawks and the stat line bears that out 21.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.4 SPG (1974-1982). Not too shabby for a 7th round draft pick.

3) Lou Hudson

Here is his stat line with the Hawks 22.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.7 SPG (1966-1977). Hudson was a tremendous athlete and was a six-time all-star.

2) Bob Pettit

The 6’9” Center/Power Forward was a two-time NBA MVP, eleven-time All-Star, four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, two-time NBA scoring champion, NBA Rookie of the year, and one-time NBA rebounding leader. Pettit also led the Hawks to the Franchises only NBA Championship.

1) Dominique Wilkins

The Human Highlight Film was a high flying points machine. His epic game 7 showdown in 1988 in Game 7 at the Boston Garden between Wilkins and Larry Bird will be remembered as one of the greatest battles in Playoff history. Wilkins stats for the Hawks were legendary 26.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.4 SPG (1982-1993). Why is he number one over Pettit? Easy for me when I hear Atlanta Hawks, Wilkins is the first person I think of.