Atlanta Hawks: 15 best NBA Draft picks of all-time
By John Buhler
Though he has played two seasons for the arch rival Boston Celtics, big man Al Horford has to be one of the best draft picks Atlanta made to date. Atlanta selected the power forward/center No. 3 overall out of Florida in the 2007 NBA Draft. He would make the Eastern Conference Playoffs all nine years he spent with the Hawks organization.
Horford was already a two-time national champion with the Florida Gators before turning pro. His college teammates included Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer. His head coach was Billy Donovan. In his nine seasons with the Hawks, Horford was an important part of teams that all qualified for the playoffs. He was first team All-Rookie in 2008 as a member of the Nothing Easy Hawks.
Horford would make four trips to the All-Star Game in his time in Atlanta. In 2011, Horford made the All-NBA third team. Starting at center, Horford was one of four Hawks that made the 2015 All-Star team. That season saw Atlanta win a franchise-record 60 games and reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Though he now stars for the Celtics, Horford is probably on his way to Springfield. His college career and pro career combined make for a compelling argument. Horford’s No. 15 jersey will likely be retired by the Hawks organization shortly after he calls it a career. In nine years with the Hawks, Horford averaged 14.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 33.5 minutes per contest.