Soaring Down South
Fansided

Top 5 Point Guards in Atlanta Hawks History

By Collin Huguley

Apr 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers gestures during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Clippers beat the Lakers 103-81. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers gestures during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Clippers beat the Lakers 103-81. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next

1. Mookie Blaylock

Years Spent with Team: 1992-1999

Statistics (per game with Atlanta): 14.9 points, 7.3 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 steals.

Shooting Percentages with Atlanta: .413/.347/.735

For those that have followed the Hawks, they know that there is no other #1.

Daron “Mookie” Blaylock was one of the best point guards of the 90’s that no one talked about.

Blaylock played the game of basketball in such a violent and passionate manner, and that is what made Hawks fans love him. Blaylock’s defensive play was legendary. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive team six times, including two first-team appearances. Blaylock is the Hawks’ all-time leader in steals and lead the NBA in steals in back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998. The play-making ability on the defensive end alone made him a terrific player. But there was more than that to Mookie.

Offensively, Blaylock was just as ruthless as he was defensively. He was among the best in turning his defense into offense. Saying he was a monster in transition is a huge understatement; in the open floor, his speed thrived and he always went to the rim hard. But in the half-court, Blaylock was terrific at running the offense and finding shots for teammates.

His passing ability was terrific, as he made everyone around him better. Guys like Diekembe Mutombo and Steve Smith would not have shined like they did without playing next to Blaylock. But Mookie also had the clutch gene. When the team needed a big play, the ball was in his hands.

While Blaylock was only named to one All-Star team in 1994 (absurd), his value to the Hawks was extraordinarily high. The Hawks made the playoffs every season that he was on the team and after his departure in 1999, did not see another postseason until the ’07-’08 season.

Blaylock was everything you could ask for in a point guard. Legendary-level defense. Aggressive, effective offense. And he made everyone else better.

Next: Can Dennis Schroder Learn From Mookie Blaylock?

That is the definition of a pure point guard, and that is why Mookie Blaylock is the best point guard to ever wear a Hawks jersey.

Home/Hawks History