Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team plays its home games at the State Farm Arena.

History

Early Years

The franchise was founded in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons, based in Buffalo, New York. After 13 games, the team moved to Moline, Illinois, and became the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. The Blackhawks were a member of the National Basketball League (NBL) before joining the NBA in 1949.

Move to St. Louis

In 1951, the team moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and became the Milwaukee Hawks. Four years later, in 1955, the team relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, and became the St. Louis Hawks. The Hawks won their only NBA Championship in 1958, defeating the Boston Celtics in the Finals.

Relocation to Atlanta

In 1968, the franchise moved to Atlanta, where they have remained ever since. The team has seen varying levels of success, with notable periods of competitiveness in the 1980s and late 2000s.

Notable Players

• Dominique Wilkins: Known as "The Human Highlight Film," Wilkins is one of the most celebrated players in Hawks history. He played for the team from 1982 to 1994 and was a nine-time NBA All-Star.

• Bob Pettit: Pettit was a key player during the Hawks' time in St. Louis and was instrumental in their 1958 championship win. He was a two-time NBA MVP.

• Dikembe Mutombo: A defensive powerhouse, Mutombo played for the Hawks from 1996 to 2001 and was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

Team Achievements

• NBA Championships: 1 (1958)
• Conference Titles: 4 (1957, 1958, 1960, 1961)
• Division Titles: 12 (1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1968, 1970, 1980, 1987, 1994, 2015, 2021)

Home Arena

The Hawks play their home games at the State Farm Arena, located in downtown Atlanta. The arena opened in 1999 and has a seating capacity of approximately 16,600 for basketball games.

Community Involvement

The Atlanta Hawks are actively involved in community outreach programs. They have initiatives focused on youth development, education, and health and wellness. The team's foundation, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, supports various charitable activities in the Atlanta area.

See Also

• List of Atlanta Hawks seasons
• List of Atlanta Hawks head coaches
• Atlanta Hawks draft history

External Links

• Official website