| 26 July 2010
Jeff Fox of Hoops Manifesto came up with a great idea for a group of basketball blogs to vote for the historically best 10 players of each franchise. Per person, we were to vote on our top 5. Of course, I'll be participating, and I'll share my votes here.First up? The Atlanta Hawks. They first started as the Buffalo Bisons (1946), but quickly became the Tri-City Blackhawks. Who then became the Milwaukee Hawks, then the St. Louis Hawks... and finally moved to Atlanta in 1968.
Without further ado... my top 5 Hawks.
5. Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo - Longest name to play in the NBA, Dikembe Mutombo's also probably one of the greatest humans to play the game. His philanthropy aside, during his tenure at the Hawks, Mutombo won 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards, and several All D teams.
4. Leonard Randolph Wilkens - 9 time All Star, Lenny Wilkens was the 2nd most prolific assists-getter at the time he retired (only behind Oscar Robertson). He is the only person inducted into the Hall of Fame both as a player and as a coach.
3. Peter Press Maravich - "Pistol Pete" was an amazing talent, an incredible showman who was drafted by the Hawks in 1970. Retiring from professional ball in 1980 (aged 32), Maravich was one of the youngest ever inducted into the Hall of Fame at the ripe ol' age of 39. 2. Robert E. Lee Pettit Jr - The NBA's first ever MVP, Bob Pettit was the 1954-1955 rookie of the year, two time NBA MVP, a four time NBA All-Star MVP, an eleven time NBA All-Star, one time NBA world champion. A Hall of Famer with a great all round game, Pettit could do it all.
1. Jacques Dominique Wilkins - All time leading Hawks scorer, and a breath-taking player. The Human Highlight Film, or 'Nique - this Hall of Fame (2006) was clearly the best player ever to don a Hawks jersey.
Next up, the Boston Celtics...
