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
Conference Titles
Division Titles

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

Contents

1 2005-06 Record
2 Home arenas
3 Franchise history

3.1 Relocation to Atlanta

4 Season-by-season records
5 Players of note

5.1 '''
5.2 '''Retired Numbers'''
5.3 '''Not to be forgotten:'''
5.4 '''Current roster:'''

6 Coaches and others

6.1 '''

7 External links

2005-06 Record

26-56--------0.317

5th in Southeast Division.

Streak - Lost 1

Eliminated from playoff contention

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

Franchise history

The franchise was formed in 1946 as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks of the National Basketball League; it was based in the tri-city area between Moline, Illinois, Rock Island, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa. When the NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America to form the NBA, 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 Celtics after they folded), they failed to qualify for the postseason. In 1951, the franchise relocated to Milwaukee 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.

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, which won a division championship and advanced to the Finals yet again. However, after this period of success, the Hawks experienced a few years of rebuilding; the Hawks had all losing records in those years and won the national championship

In 1977 Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner bought the team and hired Bernie Bickerstaff to become head coach. In 1979 the Hawks team finished with 50 wins and won the Central Division. In 1982 the franchise acquired superstar Dominique Wilkins, and in the next four seasons the team had more than 50 victories each season. However, the team could not advance past the semifinals of the playoffs. In 1993, Lenny Wilkens was hired as coach. In the 1993- 1994 season coach Wilkens led the team to 57 victories, a team record, and in 1995 Wilkens broke the record (previously held by former Hawk coach Red Auerbach) for most victories by an NBA head coach with victory number 939.

However, in recent years the Hawks team has struggled, yet again becoming one of the league's worst teams. In March 2004 the team was sold to a group of executives by the name of Atlanta Spirit LLC [link] by Time Warner (who inheirited 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 2004-2005 season the Hawks gained the notorious reputation of the league's worst team with a mere 13 victories (five less than even the expansion Toronto Raptors and the struggling Charlotte 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 2nd 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 have Josh Childress, Josh Smith, Salim Stoudamire, and nearly $25 million in cap space for 2005 free agent market. 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 2 future 1st round picks. They also signed Zaza Pachulia from the Milwaukee Bucks. These changes occurred after an ugly power struggle between the owners for nearly 3 weeks before the moves were made. [link]

Recently, the Hawks have shown some improvement. Even with a league-worst record, they still managed to triumph over the defending champion the San Antonio Spurs, 94-84. They also made a miracle win over the Detroit Pistons, who as of February 15th, 2006 have the leagues best record. The Hawks are known as a team with a bad record, but they can come out of nowhere and challenge great teams. They show little consistency.

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).

Season-by-season records

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, % = Win-Loss % {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- bgcolor="#efefef" ! Season !! W !! L !! % !! Playoffs !! Results |- | Tri-Cities Blackhawks |- |1949-50 || 29 || 35 || .453 || Lost Division Semifinals || Anderson 2, Tri-Cities 1 |- |1950-51 || 25 || 43 || .368 |- | Milwaukee Hawks |- |1951-52 || 17 || 49 || .258 |- |1952-53 || 27 || 44 || .380 |- |1953-54 || 21 || 51 || .292 |- |1954-55 || 26 || 46 || .361 |- | St. Louis Hawks |- |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

Players of note

'''
Walt Bellamy
Cliff Hagan (St. Louis)
Pete Maravich
Bob Pettit (St. Louis)
Dominique Wilkins
Connie Hawkins
Hagan, Pettit, Ed Macauley, Lenny Wilkens and Bob Ferry, all of whom played for the Hawks in St. Louis, have been inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

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)

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

Not to be forgotten:

Current roster:

Atlanta Hawks Current Roster
Head Coach: Mike Woodson			[Edit]
PF/C	11	Esteban Batista	(Uruguay)
SG/SF	1	Josh Childress	Stanford)
PG	12	Speedy Claxton	Hofstra)
C	54	John Edwards	Kent State)
PG/SG	16	Anthony Grundy	North Carolina State)
PF	3	Al Harrington (FA)	NJ)
PG	36	Royal Ivey	Texas)
SG/PG	2	Joe Johnson	Arkansas)
PF	44	Solomon Jones	South Florida)
PG	10	Tyronn Lue	Nebraska)
C/PF	27	Zaza Pachulia	Georgia) (Europe)
SG	15	Donta Smith	Southeastern Illinois JC)
SF	5	Josh Smith	Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia)
SG	20	Salim Stoudamire	Arizona)
PF	24	Marvin Williams	North Carolina)
PF	33	Shelden Williams	Duke)
(FA) - Free Agent			(^) - Unsigned draft pick
(*) - Injured
C - Captain CC - Co-Captain			Atlanta Hawks

Coaches and others

'''
Lenny Wilkens

External links

[Atlanta Hawks official web site]
[Atlanta Hawks] InsideHoops.com coverage
[Official Atlanta Hawks Summer Pro League web site]
[Impending Firestorm] Atlanta Hawks Blog
[AmIAnnoying.com - Atlanta Hawks]
[Sports E-Cyclopedia]
[Hawks Alternate Uniforms]

National Basketball Association (2006–07)
Eastern Conference (NBA)>Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division (NBA)>Atlantic Division: Boston Celtics \| New Jersey Nets \| New York Knicks \| Philadelphia 76ers \| Toronto Raptors
Central Division (NBA)>Central Division: Chicago Bulls \| Cleveland Cavaliers \| Detroit Pistons \| Indiana Pacers \| Milwaukee Bucks
Southeast Division (NBA)>Southeast Division: Atlanta Hawks \| Charlotte Bobcats \| Miami Heat \| Orlando Magic \| Washington Wizards
Western Conference (NBA)>Western Conference
Northwest Division (NBA)>Northwest Division: Denver Nuggets \| Minnesota Timberwolves \| Portland Trail Blazers \| Seattle SuperSonics \| Utah Jazz
Pacific Division (NBA)>Pacific Division: Golden State Warriors \| Los Angeles Clippers \| Los Angeles Lakers \| Phoenix Suns \| Sacramento Kings
Southwest Division (NBA)>Southwest Division: Dallas Mavericks \| Houston Rockets \| Memphis Grizzlies \| New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets \| San Antonio Spurs
NBA Finals > NBA All-Star Game \| NBA Draft \| Current team rosters \| Midwest Division

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