atlanta hawks

History of the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks were founded in 1966 as an expansion team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They struggled in their early years. They ended up finishing their inaugural season with just 29 wins and failed to make the playoffs. In the end, the Hawks took until their fourth season to post a winning record and make the playoffs.

History of Ownership

The Atlanta Hawks’ history is not just defined by their successes and struggles on the court. It is also defined by their unique ownership history. The team has been owned by several different entities. This includes Ted Turner’s Turner Broadcasting System, which purchased the team in 1977. Under Turner’s ownership, the team was known as the “Teddy Bears”. This was due to Turner’s fondness for stuffed animals, and the team’s jerseys featured a cartoon bear.

The 1980s and 1990s were a period of relative success for the Hawks. They made the playoffs in 10 consecutive seasons, from 1980 to 1989. Also, they reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 1988. The team featured notable players such as Dominique Wilkins, Kevin Willis, and Doc Rivers.

In the 2000s and 2010s, the Hawks experienced a mix of ups and downs. Overall, they made the playoffs in nine of ten seasons from 2008 to 2017. However, they only advanced beyond the second round once, in 2015. Here, they won the Eastern Conference but were ultimately swept in the NBA Finals by the Golden State Warriors.

Notable Players

Lastly, the team has also had some notable players throughout its history. In addition to Wilkins, Willis, and Rivers, the Hawks have other great players. These include Pete Maravich, Dikembe Mutombo, and Joe Johnson. Mutombo and Wilkins both have had their numbers retired by the team.

Looking ahead, the team is hoping to build on its recent success and become a consistent playoff contender in the years to come. All in all, they have a strong fanbase and good leadership, so we’ll see where they can go. 

* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.