2008 Outlook

Despite having rookie center Al Horford, super athlete Josh Smith, small forward Marvin Williams, and sixth man Josh Childress the team struggled early in the season. The Hawks’ struggle prompted management to trade for Sacramento King Mike Bibby during the mid-season. Bibby provided solid point guard play and promise that after a half a season of developing team chemistry the young Hawks will become one of the top teams in the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference in the next few years.

Team History

The Atlanta Hawks started in 1946, but spent the first couple of decades moving around the Midwest, starting in the Tri-Cities area on the Mississippi River near the Illinois and Iowa border and jumping to Milwaukee and St. Louis before settling in Atlanta. The team was very successful in spite of its regular relocation. The Hawks won an NBA Championship in 1958 and won conference titles in 1957, 1958, 1960, and 1961.

Though the Hawks would not win another conference title, the team would win several more division titles and consistently advance in the playoffs thanks to the play of point guard Lenny Wilkens. The 70s would usher in a period of rebuilding that would depend on the talented and entertaining back court of “Pistol” Pete Maravich and Lou Hudson. The Hawks would never reach their potential and were unable to secure draft picks David Thompson and Marvin Webster from the rival ABA.

The 1980s had teams built around Dominique Wilkins. The “Human Highlight Film” led teams that won 50 games every year from 1985 to 1989. The success carried over into the 1990s and teams featuring shooting guard Wilkins and sharp shooting Steve Smith helped Lenny Wilkins pass Red Auerbach for most wins by a head coach.

The late 90s found the Hawks unloading players and struggling to field competitive teams. The Hawks failed to reach the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons and have set the record for most 50-loss seasons in a row with four. The team has gone to great means to reverse their fortune and hope the recent trade for Mike Bibby will return the team the glory of the 80s and early 90s. Check out the Atlanta Hawks live with tickets from TheSeats.com.