NBA History: The best era for each of the 30 franchises

Atlanta Hawks: 1956-61

Since moving down to Georgia in the summer of 1968, the Atlanta Hawks haven’t accomplished much, with just a single conference finals appearance in over 50 years of basketball.

Back when they were in St. Louis, the perception surrounding the franchise was completely different. The Hawks were a basketball powerhouse for five years in the late 1950s and early 1960s. During that time, they appeared in four NBA Finals, led by one of the game’s most underrated talents, Bob Pettit.

A Hall of Fame big man, Pettit was the original MVP, becoming the NBA’s first recipient of the prestigious award for his efforts during the 1955-56 season after averaging a league-best 25.7 points along with 16.2 rebounds a night.

During the Hawks run to their only Finals appearances, Pettit produced in dominating fashion, putting up 26.5 points and 17.2 rebounds per game as an unguardable presence near the bucket.

Four runs to the championship round would traditionally be the makings of a dynasty. But whatever potential destiny was in store for the Hawks was met by the cinderblock that was the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics, who claimed victory in three of the four Finals matchups.

There will always be the magical 1957-58 campaign that culminated in the NBA championship for St. Louis. Won at Boston’s expense in a six-game series, the victory broke up what would’ve been 10 straight titles for the Cs and gifted the only championship to the Hawks name.