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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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3. Drafting Sheldon Williams

Sheldon Williams was drawing comparisons to David Robinson prior to his rookie season in 2005. He finished his college career being Duke’s all-time leader in rebounds, as well as being the record holder for both career and single-season blocked shots. Also, he was the third player in NCAA history to score 1500 points, grab 1000 rebounds, block 350 shots, and pick up 150 steals.

Taken fifth by the Hawks, Williams was a household name among first-year players. He received significant minutes, playing in 81 games and starting 31 of them. However, he put up a discouraging 5.5 points and five rebounds a game, and never really gelled with the other players. He constantly made wrong decisions on the court and had trouble memorizing plays. After just one and a half seasons in a Hawks uniform, he was dealt to the Kings for eventual Atlanta fan-favorite point guard, Mike Bibby.

The biggest loss with this is who could have been drafted instead. Future stars Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Rajon Rondo, and Kyle Lowry were all available. Each one of these players were likely to be a Hawk for a long time.

Roy and Gay had immediate impacts for their respective teams. Although Lowry just recently gained star status, the Hawks would have held on to him because of their then-desperate need of a point guard.