Atlanta Hawks: Ranking Best Players By Position In Team History

Dominique Wilkins is the best small forward in Hawks history. (mwibbels/flickr.com)

(image via sportwalls.net)

The Atlanta Hawks have been around the longest among their fellow Southeast Division foes. The Hawks began playing basketball in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons, but after just 13 games in their first season in the National Basketball League, the team relocated to Moline, Ill., and became known as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.

The Blackhawks joined the new National Basketball Association in 1949 when the NBL and the NBA’s predecessor, the Basketball Association of America, merged. In 1951, the franchise relocated to Milwaukee and was renamed the Hawks. The Hawks flew off to St. Louis in 1955 and finally landed in Atlanta in 1968.

The Hawks–wherever they have played–have had a history of great players. Here are the best players in Hawks history.

Best Center: Walt Bellamy

When people think of great Atlanta Hawks centers they think Dikembe Mutombo. While a great player, Mutombo’s best years were with the Denver Nuggets. By the time Mutombo came to the Hawks, he was primarily a defensive enforcer. When you think of Bellamy think Dwight Howard, in terms of stats, Bellamy averaged around 20 points per game and 14 rebounds per game, unfortunately the NBA did not record blocks until the end of his career. Howard averages 18.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, respectively. Bellamy is still the Hawks’ franchise leader in total rebounds and is No. 9 in NBA history in rebounds.

Best Power Forward: Bob Pettit

Bob Pettit is not only the best power forward in franchise history, he is also the best player in Atlanta Hawks history. Pettit is considered to have changed the power forward position and was elected to the All-Star team every single season he played. Generally considered to be the No. 3 big man in the league behind Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, Pettit averaged 26 points and 16 rebounds per game during his 11-year career. Pettit led the Hawks to their only NBA title in 1958.

Best Small Forward: Dominique Wilkins

While Pettit was the best player in franchise history, Wilkins was the most popular player in franchise history. Wilkins is most well-known for defeating Michael Jordan in the 1985 slam dunk contest. Wilkins was an electrifying player who could get to the rim with ease and was always among the league leaders in points scored per game, winning the scoring title in 1986, averaging 30 points per game. The only thing that held Wilkins back from being the franchise’s best player was was his inability to win an NBA title, while Pettit was able to overcome the franchise’s hurdle.

Best Shooting Guard: Pete Maravich

Maravich, the “Pistol,” took the league by storm when he entered the NBA in 1970; he introduced moves like the behind-the-back pass and the crossover dribble. Pistol Pete was the 1970s version of Steve Nash, making passes that were unbelievable and combined great ball-handling with an outstanding jump shot. Maravich averaged 25 points and just more than five assists per game at a time when assists were hard to come by. Maravich was unable to win a title in Atlanta, but was able to secure the elusive title when he was signed by the Boston Celtics.

Best Point Guard: Lenny Wilkins

Wilkins is the only person NBA history to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and as a coach, both of which he accomplished as a member of the Hawks. Wilkins averaged 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds per game, the most impressive being the rebounding numbers for a 6-1 point guard. He also finished second in MVP balloting to Chamberlain for the 1968 season.