Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks’ Top 5 Players of the Decade

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 12: Josh Smith #5, Joe Johnson #2, and Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks poses during 2011 NBA Media Day on December 12, 2011 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
ATLANTA - DECEMBER 12: Josh Smith #5, Joe Johnson #2, and Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks poses during 2011 NBA Media Day on December 12, 2011 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 11: Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after a turnover by the Utah Jazz at Philips Arena on January 11, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Josh Smith

J-Smoove played the three first seasons of the decade for Atlanta, the final three of his nine year stay with the team.

Smith was an omnipresent defender and a perennial All-Star snub that could play either forward positions.

His final three seasons with the team were some of his best, averaging over 16 points, 8 rebounds and 1.5 block per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defense second team in 2010.

He also learned how to stretch the floor to start the decade, averaging 2 threes attempted per game  in ’10-’11 after shelving that shot previously in his career.

Smith was one of the most athletic Hawks ever, throwing down eye-popping jams seemingly every game, including his highlight left-handed tomahawk dunk.

Josh Smith was a true workhorse (averaged 35 mpg in the 2010’s) and provided exciting plays on both ends of the court.

Atlanta Hawks
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 7: Joe Johnson #2 of the Atlanta Hawks jump shoots over Luol Deng #9 of the Chicago Bulls during the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks on January 7, 2012 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Joe Johnson

It was hard to put Joe Johnson – one of the Hawks’ best players ever – at just 3rd here, but he played just two seasons with the team this decade.

The trade that sent Iso Joe away to Brooklyn happened in July of 2012, ending his 7-year run with the Hawks, in which he made 6 All-star games.

In the two seasons Johnson played for Atlanta in the 2010’s, he averaged 18.5 points and 4.3 assists per game, shooting 44% from the field. These years were a bit of a step down overall, as he had averaged at least 20 points a game in each of his previous seasons in Atlanta.

He was still an absolute menace for opposing defenses, as he could score from just about anywhere on the court.

#2 was always clutch, having a knack for turning things on in the 4th quarter and playoffs.

Johnson is among the Hawks’ all-time greats, and is probably #1 on last decade’s list, but with just two seasons played – albeit two All-Star seasons – he sits at three here.

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