Top ten Players in Atlanta History...

[AHF]

3 minutes ago, Sothron said:

That is just crazy talk. You give him the weight room and general health advances that today's athletes have and he'd be just as dominant. Bill Russell was taller and heavier than Pettit and he has talked about how strong Pettit was. If Pettit wasn't getting pushed around by Russell and Wilt then I don't think any current players come close to giving him any problems.

Couldn't agree more.  He killed it against Wilt and Russell and other legends.  Won MVP over them.  He is easily #1 for the franchise history.

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, Sothron said:

That is just crazy talk. You give him the weight room and general health advances that today's athletes have and he'd be just as dominant. Bill Russell was taller and heavier than Pettit and he has talked about how strong Pettit was. If Pettit wasn't getting pushed around by Russell and Wilt then I don't think any current players come close to giving him any problems.

Current players vs. Pettit

Still though, Pettit doesn't identify as a Hawk anymore so he should probably not be on any of these lists.

 

[ViewsFromTheSquawk]

After really looking at it our historic ATLANTA players really do suck. Aside from Pete,Mutombo,Nique,and Mookie the list is really "meh" 

[Watchman]

On 8/8/2016 at 9:42 AM, Diesel said:

It's hard for me to leave Drew off the list.

 

                                                                                                                                        
Season      Age  Tm  Lg Pos   G  GS    MP   FG  FGA  FG%  3P 3PA  3P%   2P  2PA  2P%  FT  FTA  FT% ORB DRB  TRB AST STL BLK TOV  PF  PTS
1974-75      20 ATL NBA  PF  78      2289  8.3 19.3 .428               8.3 19.3 .428 6.1  8.6 .713 5.6 7.5 13.1 2.2 1.9 0.6     4.3 22.7
1975-76      21 ATL NBA  SF  77      2351  9.0 17.9 .502               9.0 17.9 .502 7.5 10.0 .744 4.4 5.7 10.1 2.3 2.1 0.5     4.0 25.4
1976-77      22 ATL NBA  SF  74      2688  9.2 19.0 .487               9.2 19.0 .487 5.5  7.7 .714 3.7 5.3  9.0 1.8 1.4 0.4     3.7 24.0
1977-78      23 ATL NBA  SF  70      2203  9.7 20.2 .480               9.7 20.2 .480 7.1  9.4 .760 3.5 4.9  8.4 2.3 1.9 0.4 3.4 4.0 26.5
1978-79      24 ATL NBA  SF  79      2410  9.7 20.5 .473               9.7 20.5 .473 7.4 10.1 .731 3.4 4.4  7.8 1.8 1.9 0.2 3.2 5.0 26.8
1979-80      25 ATL NBA  SF  80      2306  8.4 18.5 .453 0.0 0.1 .000  8.4 18.3 .455 7.6 10.1 .757 3.2 4.2  7.4 1.6 1.4 0.4 3.7 4.9 24.3
1980-81      26 ATL NBA  SF  67      2075  8.7 19.0 .456 0.0 0.1 .000  8.7 18.9 .459 7.9 10.0 .787 2.5 4.1  6.6 1.4 1.7 0.3 3.4 4.6 25.2
1981-82      27 ATL NBA  SF  70  51  2040  8.2 16.9 .486 0.1 0.2 .333  8.1 16.7 .488 6.4  8.7 .741 3.0 3.6  6.6 1.7 1.1 0.1 3.1 4.4 22.9
1982-83      28 UTA NBA  SF  44  33  1206  9.5 20.0 .474 0.0 0.1 .000  9.5 19.9 .477 8.8 11.7 .755 2.9 4.1  7.0 2.9 1.0 0.2 4.0 4.5 27.8
1983-84      29 UTA NBA  SF  81   4  1797 10.2 21.4 .479 0.1 0.4 .273 10.1 20.9 .483 8.1 10.4 .778 2.9 3.8  6.8 2.7 1.8 0.0 3.8 4.2 28.6
1984-85      30 UTA NBA  SF  19  16   463  8.3 20.2 .412 0.0 0.3 .000  8.3 19.9 .418 7.3  9.5 .770 2.8 3.6  6.4 2.7 1.7 0.2 3.3 5.1 23.9
Career              NBA     739 104 21828  9.0 19.2 .470 0.0 0.2 .175  9.0 19.1 .472 7.1  9.5 .748 3.6 4.8  8.4 2.0 1.7 0.3 3.5 4.4 25.2
                                                                                                                                        
8 seasons       ATL NBA     595  51 18362  8.9 18.9 .470 0.0 0.1 .154  8.9 18.9 .471 6.9  9.3 .744 3.7 5.0  8.7 1.9 1.7 0.4 3.4 4.3 24.7
3 seasons       UTA NBA     144  53  3466  9.7 20.8 .468 0.1 0.3 .194  9.7 20.4 .473 8.2 10.7 .768 2.9 3.9  6.8 2.8 1.5 0.1 3.8 4.4 27.7

 

Sometimes we fail to acknowledge how good he was...

 

 

Here's the thing.  IN Drew's years as a Hawk, we were not a very good team.  We had one fluke year where we won 50-32 and lost to a lower seeded 76er team in 5 games in the first round of the playoffs.  That was our best year with Drew.  So the question becomes... Is it that Drew was a good player on a so-so team or was he just a good player. 

 

You do realize that these numbers are per 36 minutes I hope.   He never averaged more than 24.2 PPG.  He was foul prone, so that limited his minutes.  Having said that, he was a great offensive talent.  However, as former Hawk PG Tom Henderson once said, "that cat can't guard my house."

[Watchman]

On 8/8/2016 at 1:29 PM, capstone21 said:

Smith has no business being on that list .... also where is Kevin Willis?  Steve Smith?  Lou Hudson?  Doc Rivers?  Milsap?  Jon Koncak?

Which Smith are you talking about not belonging on the list?  The only Smith mentioned was "Smitty" (Steve Smith) whose absence from the list you question.

[Guest]

On August 8, 2016 at 10:29 AM, capstone21 said:

Smith has no business being on that list .... also where is Kevin Willis?  Steve Smith?  Lou Hudson?  Doc Rivers?  Milsap?  Jon Koncak?

Ummmm seriously? Lol.

[Trout7]

On 8/8/2016 at 9:42 AM, Diesel said:

It's hard for me to leave Drew off the list.

 

                                                                                                                                        
Season      Age  Tm  Lg Pos   G  GS    MP   FG  FGA  FG%  3P 3PA  3P%   2P  2PA  2P%  FT  FTA  FT% ORB DRB  TRB AST STL BLK TOV  PF  PTS
1974-75      20 ATL NBA  PF  78      2289  8.3 19.3 .428               8.3 19.3 .428 6.1  8.6 .713 5.6 7.5 13.1 2.2 1.9 0.6     4.3 22.7
1975-76      21 ATL NBA  SF  77      2351  9.0 17.9 .502               9.0 17.9 .502 7.5 10.0 .744 4.4 5.7 10.1 2.3 2.1 0.5     4.0 25.4
1976-77      22 ATL NBA  SF  74      2688  9.2 19.0 .487               9.2 19.0 .487 5.5  7.7 .714 3.7 5.3  9.0 1.8 1.4 0.4     3.7 24.0
1977-78      23 ATL NBA  SF  70      2203  9.7 20.2 .480               9.7 20.2 .480 7.1  9.4 .760 3.5 4.9  8.4 2.3 1.9 0.4 3.4 4.0 26.5
1978-79      24 ATL NBA  SF  79      2410  9.7 20.5 .473               9.7 20.5 .473 7.4 10.1 .731 3.4 4.4  7.8 1.8 1.9 0.2 3.2 5.0 26.8
1979-80      25 ATL NBA  SF  80      2306  8.4 18.5 .453 0.0 0.1 .000  8.4 18.3 .455 7.6 10.1 .757 3.2 4.2  7.4 1.6 1.4 0.4 3.7 4.9 24.3
1980-81      26 ATL NBA  SF  67      2075  8.7 19.0 .456 0.0 0.1 .000  8.7 18.9 .459 7.9 10.0 .787 2.5 4.1  6.6 1.4 1.7 0.3 3.4 4.6 25.2
1981-82      27 ATL NBA  SF  70  51  2040  8.2 16.9 .486 0.1 0.2 .333  8.1 16.7 .488 6.4  8.7 .741 3.0 3.6  6.6 1.7 1.1 0.1 3.1 4.4 22.9
1982-83      28 UTA NBA  SF  44  33  1206  9.5 20.0 .474 0.0 0.1 .000  9.5 19.9 .477 8.8 11.7 .755 2.9 4.1  7.0 2.9 1.0 0.2 4.0 4.5 27.8
1983-84      29 UTA NBA  SF  81   4  1797 10.2 21.4 .479 0.1 0.4 .273 10.1 20.9 .483 8.1 10.4 .778 2.9 3.8  6.8 2.7 1.8 0.0 3.8 4.2 28.6
1984-85      30 UTA NBA  SF  19  16   463  8.3 20.2 .412 0.0 0.3 .000  8.3 19.9 .418 7.3  9.5 .770 2.8 3.6  6.4 2.7 1.7 0.2 3.3 5.1 23.9
Career              NBA     739 104 21828  9.0 19.2 .470 0.0 0.2 .175  9.0 19.1 .472 7.1  9.5 .748 3.6 4.8  8.4 2.0 1.7 0.3 3.5 4.4 25.2
                                                                                                                                        
8 seasons       ATL NBA     595  51 18362  8.9 18.9 .470 0.0 0.1 .154  8.9 18.9 .471 6.9  9.3 .744 3.7 5.0  8.7 1.9 1.7 0.4 3.4 4.3 24.7
3 seasons       UTA NBA     144  53  3466  9.7 20.8 .468 0.1 0.3 .194  9.7 20.4 .473 8.2 10.7 .768 2.9 3.9  6.8 2.8 1.5 0.1 3.8 4.4 27.7

 

Sometimes we fail to acknowledge how good he was...

 

 

Here's the thing.  IN Drew's years as a Hawk, we were not a very good team.  We had one fluke year where we won 50-32 and lost to a lower seeded 76er team in 5 games in the first round of the playoffs.  That was our best year with Drew.  So the question becomes... Is it that Drew was a good player on a so-so team or was he just a good player. 

 

For those that watched him play, it is not even a question.  The first Hawks game i ever attended at 12 years of age, he hit a buzzer beater on a turn around jump shot past the top of the key to beat Dr.J and the Sixers. Who have the Hawks had lately that could even think of pulling that off?

[Thomas]

I'm remembering the good and the not so good with John Drew. He kept us in a lot of games offensively almost by himself pretty often. His bank shots were deadly during the regular season and he fought for the offensive rebounds but it all disappeared during playoff games. He was generally cold as a wedge in those and it would snuff us out. Will admit he was really fun to watch but man did we get a deal when we traded him to Utah. Wow.  

[Diesel]

So as we consider the top ten ATLANTA Hawks ever...  How does this sound:

 

Nique, JJ, Deke, Mookie, Smitty, Millsap, Roundfield, Bellamy, Hudson, and Maravich?

 

[AHF]

On 8/13/2016 at 6:25 AM, Diesel said:

So as we consider the top ten ATLANTA Hawks ever...  How does this sound:

 

Nique, JJ, Deke, Mookie, Smitty, Millsap, Roundfield, Bellamy, Hudson, and Maravich?

 

I know the hate is fresh but Al Horford has to be on that list.  He has done more for this franchise than half the guys on there.

[Sothron]

I hate to say this but having all three of Deke/Mookie/Smitty is a bit much from that era. Horford is more deserving than at least one of Mookie and Smitty.

[macdaddy]

On 8/13/2016 at 7:25 AM, Diesel said:

So as we consider the top ten ATLANTA Hawks ever...  How does this sound:

 

Nique, JJ, Deke, Mookie, Smitty, Millsap, Roundfield, Bellamy, Hudson, and Maravich?

 

I agree with others about Horford.   Replace Millsap with Horford.   I can't see any case for Sap over Horf for Hawks career.   I'd probably replace Mookie with Willis.

[AHF]

Why Maravich over Sap?  During his time with the Hawks Maravich was a two-time All-Star, never was close to winning a playoff series, missed the playoffs, and led the team to an amazing 155-173 record.  He never played defense and ball hogged inefficiently and then left the team.  Even on offense, Lou Hudson was the much better scorer during their 4 years together (more points on a much better FG%).  I'll take Sap over him.

[NBASupes]

1. Pettit

2. Nique

3. Horford

4. Joe

5. Deke

6. Hudson

7. Smitty

8. Mookie

9. Millsap

10. Willis

1 hour ago, AHF said:

Why Maravich over Sap?  During his time with the Hawks Maravich was a two-time All-Star, never was close to winning a playoff series, missed the playoffs, and led the team to an amazing 155-173 record.  He never played defense and ball hogged inefficiently and then left the team.  Even on offense, Lou Hudson was the much better scorer during their 4 years together (more points on a much better FG%).  I'll take Sap over him.

Truly Sap was a better Hawk than Pistol. I just forgot about him.

Edited August 15, 2016 by NBASupes

[NBASupes]

Pettit, by the numbers, one of the greatest players of all time and the best Hawk by a mile.

Nique, the most popular and talented Hawk, the face of the organization since being in Atlanta.

Horford, the best era in Hawks Basketball in Atlanta and one of the better players in the NBA during this time period.

Joe, was one of the best guard/forwards while a member of the Hawks. Very good all around player.

Deke, elite defensive player and very popular around the NBA. Our most famous player post Nique.

Hudson, best scorer in Hawks history.

Smith, one of the best post guards ever and a very crafty player.

Mookie, should be easily replaced by Lenny Wilkins who was the best PG in Hawks history. Mookie had one of the best single seasons in the late 90s. He was elite for one season.

Sap, since he has been a Hawks. He has been exceptional and is quickly moving up the list. Potential top 4 player in Hawks history. 

Willis, more of a 90s player but was a double double machine. T-Rex arms was a very good player and had longevity throughout his career.

[NBASupes]

On 8/8/2016 at 0:38 PM, Sothron said:

I'd take Pettit over all three. And Duncan was a center. He only really played PF his first two years with Robinson.

No one with sense is taking Pettit over Duncan. Barkley and Malone, yes but Duncan is a top 10 ATG. Possibly top 5. Top it.

[Sothron]

1 hour ago, NBASupes said:

No one with sense is taking Pettit over Duncan. Barkley and Malone, yes but Duncan is a top 10 ATG. Possibly top 5. Top it.

Did Duncan make All NBA every year of his career? Newp. Did Malone? Newp. Only Bob Pettit managed to do that in the history of the entire NBA. He also invented the position of power forward in his career. Can Duncan say he did anything like that? Newp.

[Guest]

17 minutes ago, Sothron said:

Did Duncan make All NBA every year of his career? Newp. Did Malone? Newp. Only Bob Pettit managed to do that in the history of the entire NBA. He also invented the position of power forward in his career. Can Duncan say he did anything like that? Newp.

Duncan played almost double the number of years: 19 year NBA career to Pettit's 10 years?  And a time when the league had what 8/9 teams or so?

Duncan was a 10X All NBAer First Teamer, same as Pettit.

[Sothron]

30 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Duncan played almost double the number of years: 19 year NBA career to Pettit's 10 years?  And a time when the league had what 8/9 teams or so?

Duncan was a 10X All NBAer First Teamer, same as Pettit.

You don't think Pettit would have continued to make it had he played longer? He retired early just like other legends like Jim Brown and Barry Sanders. No one can say that every year they played they were All NBA...except Bob Pettit.

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, Sothron said:

You don't think Pettit would have continued to make it had he played longer? He retired early just like other legends like Jim Brown and Barry Sanders. No one can say that every year they played they were All NBA...except Bob Pettit.

The fact remains he didn't play longer.  He only played 50 of 80 games his last year and he  'only' made All NBA 2nd team that same year so maybe, just maybe it was time to retire?