Atlanta Hawks Dream Team

 

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of

the game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests

that players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I

have decided to defy those odds. 

The Atlanta Hawks were established in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons

as a member of the National Basketball League (NBL). The Buffalo

stint lasted just 38 days before moving to Moline, Ill., where they

became the Tri Cities Blackhawks. Seeing that Tri Cities was too

small to support an NBA franchise, the Hawks moved to Milwaukee,

where they played from 1951-1955. The franchise moved to St.

Louis, which was home from 1955-1958. Unable to get a larger

arena in St. Louis, the franchise moved to Atlanta. 

With the exception of a eight-year playoff drought from 1999-2007,

the Hawks have been a consistent participant in the postseason

but have mostly been not good enough to be a championship

contender but not consistently bad enough to be a lottery team. 

The franchise’s only NBA title came in 1957-1958, defeating the

Boston Celtics in six games. The Hawks reached the NBA Finals

in back-to-back seasons (1960-1961), losing to the Celtics both

times. Since that time, however, the Hawks have only reached

the Eastern Conference Finals one time, 2014-2015. 

Today, I put together a Hawks Dream Team. There are some rigid

criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have

played for the Jazz for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions.

However, someone on this team is keeping the seat warm for

current star Donovan Mitchell, who is in his third season. It’s just

a question of who gets bumped? 

Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs

to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is

all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.

This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is

the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The

number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity

also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare

eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Hawks during a season of being a contender does

not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the Hawks

during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this team.

Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into

positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players

encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific,

after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the

franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t

just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would

remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask

yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starters

Point guard: Lenny Wilkens

Wilkens is most widely renowned for his coaching career to some

generations, part of which includes a stint with the Atlanta Hawks

(1993-2000). He was the NBA Coach of the Year 1994. Wilkens,

however, put together a Hall of Fame career as a player, eight of

which were spent with the St. Louis Hawks. The franchise missed

the playoffs only one time in Wilkens’ eight-year career. 

Wilkens was a nine-time NBA All-Star, NBA All-Star game MVP in

1971, NBA assist leader in 1970. During his career with the Hawks,

Wilkens averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists. 

Shooting guard: Joe Johnson

Johnson played seven seasons for the Hawks and in that time was

a potent offensive weapon. During Johnson's tenure, the Hawks

were a frequent playoff participant. Johnson earned the nickname

“Iso Joe” because of his isolation skills. Johnson is one of 46

players in NBA history to score at least 20,000 career points.

Six of Johnson's seven career All-Star appearances came while

he was a Hawk. Johnson was also All NBA third team in 2010.

During his time with the Hawks, Johnson averaged 20.9 points 4.2

rebounds and 5.2 assists. 

Small forward: Dominique Wilkins

Wilkins is undeniably the greatest player in Atlanta Hawks history.

Wilkins was spectacular in one of the greatest eras of the NBA,

particularly during the 1980s. Wilkins played 12 of a 17 seasons

with the Hawks and averaged at least 25 points in 10 consecutive

seasons. He also captured the NBA scoring championship in

1985-1986.

Wilkins was a nine-time All Star and seven-time All NBA, four as a

first-teamer. Wilkins was NBA All-Rookie first team in 1983 and two-

time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion. Wilkins was known as

“The Human Highlight Film” because of his acrobatic scoring

displays on the way to a Hall of Fame career. 

Power forward: Bob Pettit

There is not a more decorated player in the franchise. Pettit became

the first player in NBA history to surpass the 20,000 career point

plateau and also led by off to their only NBA Championship in

franchise history in 1958, on the way to a Hall of Fame career.

Pettit spent his entire career with the Hawks. He was a two-time NBA

MVP, 11 time NBA All Star, four-time NBA All Star Game MVP and

10 time All NBA first team. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year in

1955, two-time NBA scoring champion and NBA rebound champion

in 1956.

Center: Dikembe Mutombo

Mutombo played 18 years with six different teams and was a four-

time NBA Defensive Player of the Year on the way to a Hall of Fame

career. Mutombo is second in NBA history in blocked shots.

Mutombo is one of five players in franchise history to have his

jersey retired by the Hawks.

Mutombo was an eight-time All-Star. Three of his four NBA Defensive

Player of the Year awards came in a Hawks uniform. During his time

with the Hawks, Mutombo averaged 11.9 points, 12.6 rebounds and

3.2 blocked shots per game. 

Bench (alphabetical order)

Mookie Blaylock:

Blaylock played seven of his 13 NBA seasons with the Hawks and

remains the franchise's career leader in 3-point field goals made

and career steals. Blaylock led the NBA in steals for two years in a

row. Blaylock’s only All-Star season came in 1984. He was also a

six-time NBA All Defensive selection, two as a first-team choice.

During his career with the Hawks, Blaylock averaged 14.9 points,

4.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists in 2.6 deals. 

John Drew:

Drew played eight of his 10 seasons with the Hawks and averaged

20 points or more in five of them. Drew was a two-time All-Star and

NBA All-Rookie first team in 1975. In his time with the Hawks, Drew

averaged 21.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals. 

Cliff Hagan:

Hagan played 10 of his 11 seasons with the Hawks, including

helping the franchise to their only NBA Championship in 1958.

Hagan averaged over 20 points per game in five consecutive

seasons. Hagan was a five-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA

second team selection. He was also an ABA All-Star in 1968 with

the Dallas Chaparrals. During his time with the Hawks, Hagan

averaged 6.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists to go along with his 18.0

points. 

Al Horford:

Horford enjoyed nine productive seasons with the Hawks as he

consistently averaged double-figure scoring. Four of Horford's five

career All-Star appearances came with the Hawks. He was All NBA

third team in 2011, NBA All Rookie team in 2008. During his time

as a Hawk, Horford averaged 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.7

assists. 

Lou Hudson:

Hudson, who died of a stroke in 2014, is not in the Hall of Fame but

a strong case could be made for him. Hudson played 11 of his 13

seasons with the Hawks, which overlap the St Louis and Atlanta

eras. Hudson was a six-time All-Star, All NBA second team in 1970

and NBA All Rookie team in 1967. As a Hawk, Hudson averaged

22.0 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals.

Pete Maravich:

Maravich, known as “Pistol Pete,” is one of the best outside

shooters in NBA history before the 3-point line era, which came

into existence during his final two seasons in the NBA. Maravich

was an excellent all-around guard with his shooting and passing

ability. Maravich was a five-time All-Star and four-time All NBA (two

as a first-teamer). He was the NBA scoring champion in 1977. With

the Hawks, Maravich averaged 24.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5

assists per game.

Glen “Doc” Rivers: 

Those 35 and younger mostly know Rivers as an NBA head coach.

However, Rivers had a highly productive 14-year NBA career, eight

of which came with the Atlanta Hawks. His best season came in

1988, his lone All-Star season where he averaged a double-double

of 12.8 points and 10.0 assists per game. During his time with the

Hawks, Rivers averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 assists and 2.1 steals per

game.

Josh Smith:

Smith became the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 500

career blocked shots mark. Smith played nine seasons with the

Hawks. He was second-team all-rookie in 2005 and NBA All-Defensive

second team in 2010. During his time with the Hawks, Smith averaged

15.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks shots.

Steve Smith:

Smith was a quietly consistent player throughout his career, including

his five seasons with the Hawks. Smith is one of three players in NBA

history to make seven 3-pointers in a quarter. Smith was an All-Star in

1998, the only one of his career but a case could be made that he

should have made more. Smith averaged at least 20 points per game

in three of his five season as a Hawk.

Kevin Willis:

Willis played 11 of his 22 NBA Seasons with the Hawks and was a

critical cog in the Hawks being a consistent postseason team

throughout the 80s and into the early 90s. Willis's only All-Star season

came in 1992. During his time with the Hawks, Willis averaged 14.1

points, 9.7 rebounds per game. 

Head coach: Richie Guerin

The four-year rule applies to coaches as well. Though Alex Hannum

delivered the only championship in franchise history, he only coached

for two years which is why Guerin gets the nod. Guerin led the franchise

to 327 victories in the regular season and 26 more in the playoffs,

which is a franchise-record. He accomplished that feat over an eight-

year span. Guerin was the NBA Coach of the Year in 1968 and led

the Hawks to the playoffs in each of his eight seasons. 

Team: 1957-1958

There is not much to be debated about this choice. This version of the

Hawks delivered the franchise’s only NBA championship while in St.

Louis, defeating the Boston Celtics. The Hawks had four Hall of

Famers with Pettit, Hagan, Ed Macauley and Slater Martin. In the

finals, Pettit averaged 29.3 points and 17.0 rebounds.