Atlanta Hawks: 15 greatest scorers in franchise history

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Lou Hudson, Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Lou Hudson, Forward, 1967-77

Atlanta Hawks forward Lou Hudson spent 11 productive seasons with the team and became one of the premier scorers in their history. At 6-foot-5, Hudson had the ability to play both the off guard and wing position, giving him unlimited space to score around the floor.

He averaged 18.4 points per game as a rookie, earning All-Rookie honors during the 1966-67 season with the St. Louis Hawks. He made his first All-Star appearance when the Hawks made the move to Atlanta during the 1968-69 season.

Hudson produced 21.9 points per game that year. The following season, his average went up to 25.4 points per game on 53.1 percent shooting from the field. His career-best 27.1 points per contest came in 1972-73 when he finished fourth in the NBA in points per game during the regular season.

Hudson finished Top five in scoring in three different seasons including a fourth-place finishing during the 1972-73 campaign. He had one game during his career here with 50 points or more, 23 games with 40 points or more and 167 games with 30 points or more.

He scored a career-high 57 points on 25-of-34 shooting (73.5 percent) on Nov. 10, 1969, in a 133-132 victory over the Chicago Bulls. His record is a three-way tie for most points in a single game during the regular season by a player.

Hudson ranks third all-time in franchise history in points (16,049) and is third all-time in career points per game with 22.0 per contest. His No. 23 jersey is one of five numbers currently retired by the Hawks franchise.