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Atlanta Hawks: 5 Biggest Mistakes Of The 21st Century

By Rocky Robertson

Apr 27, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) and center Al Horford (15) defend Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) and center Al Horford (15) defend Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Drafting Josh Childress

In June of 2004, the Hawks drafted Josh Childress (5th overall) and Josh Smith (17th overall). This was seen as the marking of a new beginning of a new era in Atlanta. It was only after this that Phillips Arena was dubbed “The Highlight Factory”, with Childress and Smith bringing a fast-paced, run-and-gun offense that attracted fans to games for the first time in years. For his career in Atlanta, Childress averaged close to 12 points per game. So why is he considered a mistake?

Childress was a solid player for the Hawks, but did not meet expectations. At the time of the draft, Billy Knight was calling the shots from the office. He drafted Childress in hopes of watching him develop into an All-Star and reliable option in Atlanta. Further proof of this is the fact that Childress was playing nearly 37 minutes a game in his third season and producing just about 10 PPG.

Atlanta offered him a 5-year/$33 million contract after his fourth season in Atlanta, but he rejected it to go play overseas. After his choice to leave the NBA, fans could not help but to think how much better off the team would be had Billy Knight chosen Luol Deng or Andre Iguodala (drafted 7th and 9th) instead of Childress. Both players have been All-Stars and have proven to be game-changers.