The History of the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, playing in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Hawks were founded in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons and have since moved through several cities and name changes. Basketball in Atlanta dates back to the 1940s, but it wasn't until 1968 that the town gained a permanent NBA franchise. In this article, we'll explore the history of the Atlanta Hawks, from their early days in Buffalo to their recent success in the NBA. 

According to the NBA's official website, the Buffalo Bisons played their first game on November 8, 1946, against the Syracuse Nationals. The Bisons were owned by Ben Kerner, who would later become a key figure in the Hawks' history. The team's roster featured several players who had previously played in the American Basketball League (ABL), including Ken Murray, Bud Palmer, and Bill Calhoun.

In 1949, the NBL merged with the BAA to form the NBA, and the Bisons became the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, relocating to Moline, Illinois. The team's name was inspired by the Sauk and Meskwaki Indian tribes that once inhabited the area around Moline.

According to the official website of the Atlanta Hawks, the Blackhawks enjoyed early success in the NBA, finishing with a record of 29-19 in their inaugural season in the league. However, the team struggled in the following seasons, losing records in their subsequent three campaigns.

In 1951, the Blackhawks relocated again, this time to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The team played at Milwaukee Arena and was coached by Red Holzman, who would later win two NBA championships as the head coach of the New York Knicks. The team's roster featured several talented players, including future Hall of Famer Jack Sikma's father, Donald Sikma.

The Milwaukee Hawks had a brief moment of success during the 1952-53 season, finishing with a record of 27-44 and qualifying for the NBA playoffs for the first time in franchise history. However, they were swept in the first round by the Minneapolis Lakers.

Despite the team's lack of sustained success during the Milwaukee years, she laid the foundation for the Hawks' future success in St. Louis and Atlanta. The team's ownership changed hands several times, and several key figures, including Ben Kerner and Bob Pettit, would play significant roles in the team's future.

In conclusion, the early years of the Atlanta Hawks were marked by relocation, ownership changes, and occasional bursts of success on the court. However, the team's foundation was set in these early years, as it would achieve great success in St. Louis and Atlanta.

The St. Louis years of the Atlanta Hawks spanned from 1954 to 1968 and were marked by sustained success on the court, including an NBA championship in 1958. Led by Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, the team dominated the league during this era and established itself as one of the NBA's premier franchises.

According to the official website of the Atlanta Hawks, the St. Louis Hawks were established in 1955 following the team's move from Milwaukee. The team played at Kiel Auditorium in downtown St. Louis and quickly became a contender in the NBA. In their second season in St. Louis, the Hawks made it to the NBA Finals, where the Boston Celtics defeated them.

The Hawks would make it to the NBA Finals again in 1958, where they faced the Celtics again. Led by Bob Pettit, who scored 50 points in the decisive Game 6, the Hawks won their first and only NBA championship in franchise history. Pettit was named the NBA Finals MVP and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players of his era.

Pettit continued to lead the Hawks throughout the 1960s, earning NBA All-Star honors every year from 1955 to 1965. The team's success during this era was also partly due to the arrival of Lenny Wilkens, who would become one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NBA. Wilkens joined the Hawks in 1960 as a player coach and would later serve as the team's head coach from 1968 to 1972.

The Hawks could not capture another NBA championship in St. Louis despite Pettit's dominance and Wilkens' coaching prowess. The team made it to the NBA Finals three more times, in 1960, 1961, and 1964, but lost each time to the Celtics.

The St. Louis years also saw the Hawks' ownership change hands several times. In 1957, Ben Kerner, who had previously owned the Milwaukee Hawks, purchased the St. Louis franchise. Kerner was instrumental in bringing Pettit to St. Louis and was crucial to the team's success during this era.

In 1968, the Hawks moved once again, this time to Atlanta, Georgia. The team's success in St. Louis laid the foundation for their future success in Atlanta, as the franchise continued to thrive in the following decades.

In conclusion, the St. Louis years of the Atlanta Hawks were marked by sustained success on the court, including an NBA championship in 1958. The Hawks established themselves as one of the NBA's premier franchises, led by Hall of Famer Bob Pettit and future coaching great Lenny Wilkens. They laid the foundation for their future success in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Hawks moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1968, becoming the first NBA team to be based in the Deep South. Several factors, including the desire for a larger market and the availability of a new arena, prompted the move. The Hawks struggled in their early years in Atlanta. Still, the move proved successful, as the team established itself as a perennial playoff contender in the following decades.

According to the official website of the Atlanta Hawks, the team's move to Atlanta was prompted by several factors, including the desire for a larger market and the availability of a new arena. The team's ownership, led by Tom Cousins, saw an opportunity to tap into the growing sports market in the South and relocate the franchise to Atlanta. The team's move was approved by the NBA in 1968, and the Hawks played their first game in Atlanta on October 18, 1968, against the Cincinnati Royals.

The Hawks struggled in their early years in Atlanta, failing to make the playoffs in their first four seasons in the city. The team's roster during this time featured several talented players, including Lou Hudson and Walt Hazzard. Still, the team needed help translating individual success into group success on the court.

In 1970, the Hawks drafted Pete Maravich, who had become a sensation during his college career at Louisiana State University. Maravich's arrival in Atlanta generated excitement among fans, but the team still struggled to win consistently. Maravich spent five seasons with the Hawks, but the team could not advance past the second round of the playoffs during his tenure.

Despite their lack of success on the court, the Hawks' move to Atlanta significantly impacted the city and the region. The team's arrival helped establish Atlanta as a primary sports market, and the Hawks became a fixture in the city's sports landscape. The team's home games were played at the Omni Coliseum, a state-of-the-art arena explicitly built for the Hawks' arrival.

The Hawks' move to Atlanta also had a cultural impact on the city and the region. The team was the first NBA franchise to be based in the Deep South, and its arrival helped to break down racial barriers in the area. The team's roster during this time featured several black players, including Lou Hudson and Bill Bridges, who became heroes to fans in Atlanta and across the South.

In conclusion, the Atlanta Hawks' move to Atlanta in 1968 was a significant moment in the team's history and the history of the city and the region. The excitement and cultural impact of the team's arrival offset its struggles in its early years in Atlanta. The Hawks ultimately established themselves as a successful franchise in the following decades.

The Dominique Wilkins era of the Atlanta Hawks spanned from 1982 to 1994 and was marked by the arrival of one of the greatest players in franchise history. Wilkins, known as the "Human Highlight Film," became the face of the franchise and led the team to several playoff appearances in the 1980s. Several memorable playoff performances also marked the era as Wilkins dueled with some of the NBA's greatest players.

According to the official website of the Atlanta Hawks, the Hawks acquired Wilkins in a trade with the Utah Jazz in 1982. Wilkins, who had been the third overall pick in the 1982 NBA draft, quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in the league. In his first season with the Hawks, Wilkins averaged 17.5 points per game and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Wilkins' arrival helped to revitalize the Hawks franchise, which had been struggling in the years leading up to his arrival. The team had missed the playoffs in the previous four seasons, but with Wilkins leading the way, the Hawks made it to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons.

During the 1980s, Wilkins became one of the NBA's most prolific scorers. He won the NBA scoring title in 1986, averaging 30.3 points per game, and was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1986 and 1987. He was also named the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1986 and 1993.

Several memorable playoff performances marked the Wilkins era as Wilkins dueled with some of the NBA's greatest players. In 1988, Wilkins scored 50 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics, but the Hawks lost the game and the series. In 1991, Wilkins scored 47 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Pistons, but the Hawks lost the game and the series again.

Despite the team's lack of success in the playoffs, Wilkins established himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history. He holds several Hawks franchise records, including points scored (23,292), field goals made (9,726), and free throws made (6,476).

In 1994, the Hawks traded Wilkins to the Los Angeles Clippers in a controversial move that sparked fan outrage. Wilkins played for several more NBA teams before retiring in 1999.

In conclusion, the Dominique Wilkins era of the Atlanta Hawks was marked by the arrival of one of the greatest players in franchise history. Wilkins became the face of the franchise and led the team to several playoff appearances in the 1980s. His memorable playoff performances and prolific scoring established him as one of the greatest players of his era, and he holds several Hawks franchise records. Despite the team's lack of success in the playoffs during his tenure, Wilkins' impact on the franchise and the city of Atlanta is still felt today.

The 21st century has been a mixed bag for the Atlanta Hawks, with some seasons of success and others of disappointment. The team has undergone several changes in ownership, coaching, and personnel during this era but has remained a fixture in the Atlanta sports landscape.

According to the official website of the Atlanta Hawks, the 21st century began with a change in ownership, as a group led by businessman Steve Belkin purchased the team in 1999. During this time, the team's fortunes on the court largely depended on the play of star players such as Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Joe Johnson, and Josh Smith.

In 2004, the Hawks drafted Dwight Howard, who became one of the team's most dominant players in the early 2000s. Howard helped lead the Hawks to several playoff appearances, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2015.

The 2010s saw the arrival of several key players, including Al Horford, Jeff Teague, and Paul Millsap. The team made it to the playoffs in each of these players' first seasons with the team and enjoyed some success in the postseason.

In 2013, the Hawks hired head coach Mike Budenholzer, one of the most successful coaches in franchise history. Budenholzer led the team to a franchise-record 60 wins in the 2014-2015 season and was named the NBA Coach of the Year. The team's success that season was mainly due to the play of several key players, including Horford, Millsap, Teague, and Kyle Korver.

The Hawks continued to make the playoffs in the following years but needed help to advance past the second round. The team's fortunes declined in the late 2010s as key players such as Millsap, Horford, and Teague left in free agency or were traded.

In 2018, the Hawks drafted Trae Young, who became the face of the franchise and one of the most exciting players in the NBA. Young's arrival helped inject new life into the team, and the Hawks made it to the playoffs in the 2020-2021 season, where they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Off the court, the Hawks have also undergone several changes during the 21st century. In 2015, the team announced plans to move from Philips Arena to a new arena, State Farm Arena, which opened in 2018. The team has also made efforts to become more involved in the community, with initiatives such as the "True Comes in All Colors" campaign to promote diversity and inclusion.

In conclusion, the 21st century has been a mixed bag for the Atlanta Hawks, with some seasons of success and others of disappointment. The team has undergone several changes in ownership, coaching, and personnel during this era but has remained a fixture in the Atlanta sports landscape. The arrival of Trae Young has injected new life into the team, and the Hawks will look to build on their recent success in the years to come.

The Atlanta Hawks have a rich and storied history that dates back to 1946 when the team was established in Buffalo, New York. Over the years, the team has undergone several name changes and relocations but has remained a fixture in the NBA and Atlanta.

According to the official website of the Atlanta Hawks, the team's move to Atlanta in 1968 was a significant moment in the team's history and the history of the city and the region. The excitement and cultural impact of the team's arrival offset its struggles in its early years in Atlanta. The Hawks ultimately established themselves as a successful franchise in the following decades.

The Dominique Wilkins era of the Atlanta Hawks in the 1980s was marked by the arrival of one of the greatest players in franchise history. Wilkins became the face of the franchise and led the team to several playoff appearances in the 1980s. His memorable playoff performances and prolific scoring established him as one of the greatest players of his era, and he holds several Hawks franchise records.

The 21st century has been a mixed bag for the Atlanta Hawks, with some seasons of success and others of disappointment. The team has undergone several changes in ownership, coaching, and personnel during this era but has remained a fixture in the Atlanta sports landscape. The arrival of Trae Young in 2018 has injected new life into the team, and the Hawks will look to build on their recent success in the years to come.

Off the court, the Hawks have also made efforts to become more involved in the community, with initiatives such as the "True Comes in All Colors" campaign to promote diversity and inclusion. The team has also been involved in various charitable efforts, including the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, which supports education, health and wellness, and youth basketball programs in the Atlanta area.

In conclusion, the Atlanta Hawks have a rich and storied history that spans over seven decades. The team has undergone several changes in name, location, ownership, coaching, and personnel but has remained a fixture in the NBA and Atlanta. From the Dominique Wilkins era of the 1980s to the current age led by Trae Young, the Hawks have provided fans countless memorable moments and established themselves as one of the NBA's premier franchises.