Top 5 Power Forwards in Atlanta Hawks History

5. Dan Roundfield

Years Spent with Team: 1978-1984.

Statistics (per game with the Hawks): 17.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 offensive rebounds and 1.6 blocks.

Shooting Percentages with Atlanta: .490/.125/.738.

Dan Roundfield just edged out Bill Bridges for a place in the top five. Roundfield was with the Atlanta Hawks for six seasons and was a truly elite defender. He could defend each and every position on the floor, making the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1980, 1982 and 1983 and the Second Team in 1981 and 1984. He also earned a place in the All-Star Game for three consecutive years between 1980 and 1982 and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1980.

The 6’8” PF also holds a place in many of Atlanta’s franchise records. He is in the top five in career blocks and offensive rebounds and the top ten in total rebounds. Despite the association of his game with defense, though, Roundfield was also a very consistent scorer and features in the top-ten career Player Efficiency Ratings (PER), Defensive Win Shares and Box Plus/Minus.

Roundfield tragically died in 2012 and, in an unsolicited, low-key tribute, Dominique Wilkins shared his thoughts about his teammate.

“When one looks at this image, they instinctively think of Dan the Atlanta Hawks player, the tenacious defender and the NBA All-Star. He was certainly all of those things, but for those of us who knew him, we look at this image and think of Dan the selfless leader, the husband, the father and the fearless teammate and friend. Dan lost his life this year at the age of 59 saving his wife of 37 years from drowning on the beaches of Aruba while on a family vacation. In his last moments, as he himself was fighting for his life, Dan fearlessly lived and died for his family, which is all he ever really wanted.”

Roundfield was a true defensive juggernaut for the Atlanta Hawks and deserves his place in the top-five.

Next: No. 4