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Atlanta Hawks: 25 Best Players To Play For The Hawks

By Phil Watson

May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of t-shirts on the seats prior to game two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives to the hoop against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (left) during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives to the hoop against Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (left) during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

PF. 2013-16. Paul Millsap. 7. player. 125. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, July 10, 2013.

Paul Millsap had spent his first seven NBA seasons toiling away in relative obscurity.

A move to the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent in July 2013 has cured that problem.

ATL_07_MILLSAP
ATL_07_MILLSAP /

Millsap has been an All-Star all three seasons he’s been with the Hawks and added his first career All-Defensive selection in 2015-16.

Last season, Millsap started 81 games and averaged 17.1 points, 9.0 rebounds (a career best), 3.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks on .470/.319/.757 shooting.

Those numbers are right in line with what he’s put up since arriving in Atlanta and he’s expanded his game since coming to the Hawks, putting up more than 600 three-point attempts in three seasons after never attempting more than 39 in a year prior to arriving.

In three seasons in Atlanta, Millsap is averaging 17.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in 33.0 minutes per game, shooting .469/.344/.748.

He became the first player in NCAA history to lead the nation in rebounding in each of his first three seasons and he averaged 19.6 points and 13.3 rebounds a game as a junior at Louisiana Tech before casting his lot with the pros.

Draft night was a disappointment for Millsap, who was still on the board when the Utah Jazz picked at No. 47 overall in the second round of the 2006 NBA Draft.

He earned second team All-Rookie honors in 2006-07, helping the Jazz to the conference finals. Used mostly as a reserve his first four seasons, Millsap became a fixture at the 4 over his last three years in Utah.

Millsap returned to Atlanta after entering free agency, signing a three-year, $60 million deal in July 2015 that includes a player option for 2017-18.

Next: Lockdown Defender In The Backcourt

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