Atlanta Hawks

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Atlanta Hawks

Conference	Eastern Conference
Division	Southeast Division
Founded	1946
History	Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946-1951) Milwaukee Hawks (1951-1955) St. Louis Hawks (1955-1968) Atlanta Hawks (1968-present)
Arena	Philips Arena
City	Atlanta, Georgia
Team Colors	Red, Black and Gold
Owner	Atlanta Spirit, LLC
Head Coach	Mike Woodson
Championships	1 (1958)
Conference Titles	4 (1957, 1958, 1960, 1961)
Division Titles	14 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1980, 1987, 1994)

The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

1 Home arenas
2 Franchise history
- 2.1 Relocation to Atlanta
3 Season-by-season records
4 Players of note
5 Coaches
6 External links

[edit] Home arenas

Wharton Field House 1946-1951

Milwaukee Arena 1951-1955

Kiel Auditorium 1955-1968

Alexander Memorial Coliseum 1968-1972 and 1997-1999

Omni Coliseum 1972-1997

Georgia Dome 1997-1999

Philips Arena 1999-present

[edit] Franchise history

The franchise was formed in 1946 as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks (named after Tri-City native Black Hawk) of the National Basketball League; it was based in the tri-city area between Moline, Illinois, Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa (now called the Quad Cities). Some sources state the team started the 1946-47 NBL season as the Buffalo Bisons and relocated to the Tri-Cities early in the season. When the NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America to form the National Basketball Association, the Blackhawks reached the playoffs in the NBA's inaugural year, under the leadership of coach Red Auerbach. However, the following season, after the team drafted Bob Cousy and made the blunder of trading his rights to the Chicago Stags (who would later surrender him in a dispersal draft to the Boston Celtics after they folded), they failed to qualify for the postseason. In 1951, the franchise relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and became the Hawks. In 1953, the Hawks drafted Bob Pettit, a future NBA MVP. Despite this, the Hawks were one of the league's worst teams, and in 1955 the Hawks moved yet again, this time to St. Louis, Missouri.

With acquisitions in the draft and free agency, the Hawks became of the league's top teams. In 1957, the team advanced to the NBA Finals, losing to the Boston Celtics in a double-overtime thriller in game seven. In 1958, the Hawks again advanced to the NBA Finals under coach Alex Hannum and captured their only NBA Championship in game 6 against the Celtics.

The Hawks remained one the NBA's premier teams for the next decade. In 1960, under coach Ed Macauley, the team advanced to the Finals yet again, but lost - again to the Celtics - in yet another game seven thriller. The following year, with the acquisition of rookie Lenny Wilkens, the Hawks repeated their success, but met the Celtics in the Finals again and lost in five games.

[edit] Relocation to Atlanta

The next few years the Hawks remained contenders, every year advancing deep into the playoffs and also capturing several division titles. In 1968, however, with new owners, Atlanta real estate developer Tom Cousins and Georgia governor Carl Sanders, the team moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Cousins' firm developed the Omni Coliseum, a state-of-the-art downtown Atlanta arena, for the Hawks and the Atlanta Flames hockey franchise, which opened in 1972 as the first phase of a massive sports, office, hotel and retail complex, most of which is now CNN Center.

The years after the move showcased a talented Hawks team, including Pete Maravich, and Lou Hudson. However, after this period of success, the Hawks experienced years of rebuilding.

In 1976 Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner bought the team and hired Hubie Brown to become head coach. In 1980, the Hawks team finished with 50 wins and won the Central Division. In 1982, the franchise acquired superstar Dominique Wilkins and promoted Mike Fratello to head coach a year later. From 1985-89, the Hawks were among the league's elite, winning 50 games or more each season. However, the team could not advance past the semifinals of the playoffs. After several seasons of mediocrity, Lenny Wilkens was hired as coach in 1993. In the 1993-94 season, coach Wilkens led the team to 57 victories, tying a team record. However, the team fell short again in the playoffs, losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern semis in six games. The season was also marred with the trading of Wilkins, who remains the franchise all-time leading scorer for Danny Manning, who quickly left via free agency to Phoenix after the season ended. The trade was a public-relations disaster for Hawks management as ticket sales and overall interest waned without its superstar; in fact, it still sours many Hawk fans to this day. In 1995, coach Wilkens broke the record (previously held by former Hawk coach Red Auerbach) for most victories by an NBA head coach with victory number 939. Despite a couple of 50+ win seasons afterward, the Hawks were quickly ousted from the playoffs on both occasions, which led to further apathy by local fans who quickly grown accustomed to Hawk failures in the playoffs.

In recent years, the Hawks yet again have become one of the league's worst teams, mainly because of bad personnel moves made by the front office in the late 1990's and early 2000's. In March 2004 the team was sold to a group of executives by the name of Atlanta Spirit LLC [1] by Time Warner (who inherited the Hawks and Braves upon its merger with Turner Broadcasting in 1996), along with the Atlanta Thrashers pro ice hockey team, with which the Hawks share the Philips Arena. After the change in ownership, though, the Hawks still struggled. In the 2004-05 season, the Hawks gained the notorious reputation of the league's worst team with a mere 13 victories (five less than even the expansion Charlotte Bobcats and the struggling New Orleans Hornets). Despite their league worst-record, though, the Hawks only landed the number two pick in the 2005 NBA Draft (the first pick went to the Milwaukee Bucks). With the second pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected Marvin Williams of the University of North Carolina. Marvin Williams is considered to be the player with the most potential and marketablity of the draft class. Additionally, the Hawks had Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Salim Stoudamire, and nearly $25 million in cap space for 2005 free agent market. However, despite the recent influx of talent acquired in the draft, they still hold the longest drought of not drafting an All-Star in North American pro sports (22 years). In the summer of 2005, the Hawks completed a sign-trade deal with the Phoenix Suns that landed Atlanta Joe Johnson in return for Francis Pierre, Boris Diaw and two future 1st round picks. They also signed Zaza Pachulia from the Milwaukee Bucks. These changes occurred after an apparent power struggle between the owners for nearly three weeks before the moves were made. [2]. Unfortunately, while the power struggle over Johnson has been resolved, the ownership situation remains in flux, with ligitation still ongoing.

As of 2006, the Hawks have shown some moderate improvement. Even with the league's 4th worst record, during the 2005-06 season they still managed to triumph over the then-defending champion San Antonio Spurs, 94-84, and also defeated the Detroit Pistons while the latter had the league's best regular season record.

The Hawks trail only the Golden State Warriors (12 in a row) in terms of the most consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance with seven in a row (see Active NBA non-playoff appearance streaks). They also hold the dubious distinctions of not advancing beyond the second-round of any playoff format since 1961 and the longest run of not winning an NBA title (48 years).

[edit] Season-by-season records

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Win-Loss %

Season	W	L	%	Playoffs	Results
Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL) Record not included in totals
1946-47	19	25	.432
1947-48	30	30	.500	Won first round Lost semifinals	Tri-Cities 3-1 over Indianapolis Minneapolis 2-0 over Tri-Cities
1948-49	36	28	.563	Won first round Lost semifinals	Tri-Cities 2-0 over Sheboygen Oshkosh 3-1 over Tri-Cities
Tri-Cities Blackhawks NBA
1955-56	33	39	.458	Lost Division 2nd Place Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	Minneapolis 1, St. Louis 0 St. Louis 2, Minneapolis 1 Ft. Wayne 3, St. Louis 2
1956-57	34	38	.472	Won Division Tiebreaker Won Division Tiebreaker Won Division Finals Lost NBA Finals	St. Louis 1, Ft. Wayne 0 St. Louis 1, Minneapolis 0 St. Louis 3, Minneapolis 0 Boston 4, St. Louis 3
1957-58	41	31	.569	Won Division Finals Won NBA Finals	St. Louis 4, Ft. Wayne 1 St. Louis 4, Boston 2
1958-59	49	23	.681	Lost Division Finals	Minneapolis 4, St. Louis 2
1959-60	46	29	.613	Won Division Finals Lost NBA Finals	St. Louis 4, Minneapolis 3 Boston 4, St. Louis 3
1960-61	51	28	.646	Won Division Finals Lost NBA Finals	St. Louis 4, Minneapolis 3 Boston 4, St. Louis 1
1961-62	29	51	.363
1962-63	48	32	.600	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	St. Louis 3, Ft. Wayne 1 Los Angeles 4, St. Louis 3
1963-64	46	34	.575	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	St. Louis 3, Los Angeles 2 San Francisco 4, St. Louis 3
1964-65	45	35	.563	Lost Division Semifinals	Baltimore 3, St. Louis 1
1965-66	36	44	.450	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	St. Louis 3, Baltimore 0 Los Angeles 4, St. Louis 3
1966-67	39	42	.481	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	St. Louis 3, Chicago 0 San Francisco 4, St. Louis 2
1967-68	56	26	.683	Lost Division Semifinals	San Francisco 4, St. Louis 2
Atlanta Hawks
1968-69	48	34	.585	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	Atlanta 4, San Diego 2 Los Angeles 4, Atlanta 1
1969-70	48	34	.585	Won Division Semifinals Lost Division Finals	Atlanta 4, Chicago 1 Los Angeles 4, Atlanta 0
1970-71	36	46	.439	Lost Conference Semifinals	New York 4, Atlanta 1
1971-72	36	46	.439	Lost Conference Semifinals	Boston 4, Atlanta 2
1972-73	46	36	.561	Lost Conference Semifinals	Boston 4, Atlanta 2
1973-74	35	47	.427
1974-75	31	51	.378
1975-76	29	53	.354
1976-77	31	51	.378
1977-78	41	41	.500	Lost First Round	Washington 2, Atlanta 0
1978-79	46	36	.561	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 2, Houston 0 Washington 4, Atlanta 3
1979-80	50	32	.610	Lost Conference Semifinals	Philadelphia 4, Atlanta 1
1980-81	31	51	.378
1981-82	42	40	.512	Lost First Round	Philadelphia 2, Atlanta 0
1982-83	43	39	.524	Lost First Round	Boston 2, Atlanta 1
1983-84	40	42	.488	Lost First Round	Milwaukee 3, Atlanta 2
1984-85	34	48	.415
1985-86	50	32	.610	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 3, Detroit 1 Boston 4, Atlanta 1
1986-87	57	25	.695	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 3, Indiana 1 Detroit 4, Atlanta 1
1987-88	50	32	.610	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 3, Milwaukee 2 Boston 4, Atlanta 3
1988-89	52	30	.634	Lost First Round	Milwaukee 3, Atlanta 2
1989-90	41	41	.500
1990-91	43	39	.524	Lost First Round	Detroit 3, Atlanta 2
1991-92	38	44	.463
1992-93	43	39	.524	Lost First Round	Chicago 3, Atlanta 0
1993-94	57	25	.695	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 3, Miami 2 Indiana 4, Atlanta 2
1994-95	42	40	.512	Lost First Round	Indiana 3, Atlanta 0
1995-96	46	36	.561	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 3, Indiana 2 Orlando 4, Atlanta 1
1996-97	56	26	.683	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 3, Detroit 2 Chicago 4, Atlanta 1
1997-98	50	32	.610	Lost First Round	Charlotte 3, Atlanta 1
1998-99	31	19	.620	Won First Round Lost Conference Semifinals	Atlanta 3, Detroit 2 New York 4, Atlanta 0
1999-2000	28	54	.341
2000-01	25	57	.305
2001-02	33	49	.402
2002-03	35	47	.427
2003-04	28	54	.341
2004-05	13	69	.188
2005-06	26	56	.317
Totals	2209	2293	.491
Playoffs	116	153	.431	1 Championship

Stats updated June 10, 2006

[edit] Players of note

[edit] Basketball Hall of Famers:

Walt Bellamy
Cliff Hagan (St. Louis)
Connie Hawkins
Moses Malone
Pete Maravich
Ed Macauley (St. Louis-player and coach)
Bob Pettit (St. Louis)
Lenny Wilkens (St. Louis-player; Atlanta-coach)
Dominique Wilkins

Hagan, Pettit, Macauley, Wilkens, and Bob Ferry, all of whom played for the Hawks in St. Louis, have been inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

[edit] Retired numbers

9 Bob Pettit, F, 1954-65 (1954-55 Milwaukee, 1955-65 St. Louis)
17 Ted Turner, team owner, 1977-2004 (17 for his cable-TV empire, which began with Atlanta's Channel 17, WTBS)
21 Dominique Wilkins, F, 1983-94
23 Lou Hudson, F, 1966-77 (1966-68 St. Louis, 1968-77 Atlanta)
40 Jason Collier F-C, 2003-05

Hudson and Wilkins have also been elected to the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

[edit] Not to be forgotten

Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Stacey Augmon
Zelmo Beaty
Mookie Blaylock
Bill Bridges
Hubie Brown (coach)
Jason Collier
John Drew
Mike Fratello (coach)
Al Harrington
"Fast Eddie" Johnson
Jon Koncak
Christian Laettner
Danny Manning
Dikembe Mutombo
Glenn "Doc" Rivers
Glenn Robinson
Steve Smith
Jason Terry
Anthony "Spud" Webb
Kevin Willis
Charles "Chico" Vaughn

[edit] Current roster

{{Atlanta Hawks))

Rookies Shelden Williams- C- Duke Cedric Bozeman- G- UCLA Soloman Jones- F- South Florida

[edit] Coaches

Roger Potter 1949-1950
David McMillan 1950-1951
Doxie Moore 1951-1952
Andrew Levane 1952-1953
William Holzman 1954-1958
Andy Handum 1959-1960

National Basketball Association (2006–07)

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics | New Jersey Nets | New York Knicks | Philadelphia 76ers | Toronto Raptors

Central Division: Chicago Bulls | Cleveland Cavaliers | Detroit Pistons | Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks

Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks | Charlotte Bobcats | Miami Heat | Orlando Magic | Washington Wizards

Western Conference

Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets | Minnesota Timberwolves | Portland Trail Blazers | Seattle SuperSonics | Utah Jazz

Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors | Los Angeles Clippers | Los Angeles Lakers | Phoenix Suns | Sacramento Kings

Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks | Houston Rockets | Memphis Grizzlies | New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets | San Antonio Spurs

Broadcast partners: ABC | TNT | NBC | CBS | ESPN | NBA TV

General media: Ratings | Music | Criticism

Eastern Conference		Western Conference
Current arenas in the National Basketball Association
Air Canada Centre \| AmericanAirlines Arena \| Bradley Center \| Charlotte Bobcats Arena \| Conseco Fieldhouse \| Continental Airlines Arena \| Madison Square Garden \| Palace of Auburn Hills \| Philips Arena \| Quicken Loans Arena \| TD Banknorth Garden \| TD Waterhouse Centre \| United Center \| Verizon Center \| Wachovia Center		American Airlines Center \| ARCO Arena \| AT&T Center \| EnergySolutions Arena \| FedExForum \| Ford Center \| KeyArena \| New Orleans Arena \| Oracle Arena \| Pepsi Center \| Rose Quarter \| Staples Center \| Target Center \| Toyota Center \| US Airways Center

National Basketball Association | NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Categories: National Basketball Association teams | Atlanta Hawks | Sports clubs established in 1946